Christmas bargain thread 1

[Reastie]

Greetings folks, it’s that time again!

Starting a fresh for 2021, so if anyone has any specific links they’d like or think would be handy to add to the list for the next thread please do let me know.

Hope you’ve all had a better year so far than last year and here’s hoping things will be at a point for a more celebratory Christmas with friends and family (and lots of bargains) this year.

I've just ordered the Lego sports car too. One for ds and a couple for birthday presents for friends as he has a few parties lined up.

What kind of advent calendars do 10 year olds+ like? DD says she's outgrown lego ones.

@Waveafterwaveslowlydrifting

What kind of advent calendars do 10 year olds+ like? DD says she's outgrown lego ones.

Could you maybe do one of the charm bracelet type ones?

Thinking I need a hot chocolate shaker! I'm always a sheep on these threads… Please can somebody tell me how much the postage and packing is, and also can I use normal instant Cadburys hot chocolate which is what we tend to have in our house, or do I need to buy something different to use with it? Thank you

Postage is free over a certain amount, though I don't remember how much. You can use your usual chocolate powder, it basically just mixes it more efficiently so it's lovely & smooth. There's definitely a proper way of describing it! You can use pieces of chocolate too, or fancy stuff, whatever you like

Charm bracelet is a great idea but she won't touch metal. Weird sensory issues

Always worth keeping an eye on museum shop sales for random gifts.
Greenwich Museums sale includes lots of Cutty Sark stuff and somewhat oddly half price NASA/moon/space/ astro stuff which I know people have been looking for in previous years.

I have found these threads so useful over the years, particularly 2016 when I was shopping through the night with a rand new baby. I am rubbish at finding bargains myself but I have my camelcamelcamel alerts set and ready to go so hopefully I will be able to share some this year.

Just ordered some lovely playmobil and a light up globe from rideontoys. Thanks for the tip!

@irresistibleoverwhelm that’s so strange! I ordered 3 (one for DS, 2 for the birthday party box) and they’re all absolutely fine. I must’ve got very lucky. Hope you manage to get a keeper this time!

@fantastaballs
You’ve left identifying info on your photo!!
I’ve also had my eye on that calendar since before Christmas and regret not getting it when the price dropped

Blimey, I reported your post for you @fantastaballs and MNHQ took it down within minutes! Someone's on the ball tonight.

Thanks for the ride on toys tips, will check them both out.

Thank you for the Greenwich museum tip, just got a load of stocking fillers for pirate mad DS and some small NASA stuff for dsis who loves it!

I didn't even notice that my name was on there so thank you for reporting!

I've been following the prequel thread and have amassed a huge stash of presents this year. Very few of them are staying with me though as my sister and I make up hampers and donate them to local charity/schools. Give some to charities to take off etc We live in a very very poor area, with very high rates of unemployment. I spend £10-15 a week on bargains all year round and I love doing it.

Really grateful for this thread more than ever. My partner lost his job this year (thanks Covid) so on a massively reduced income. I need ideas & savings for gifts for a 13 boy 13 girl &16 girl please

@twiggytwoo

I can't believe we're back here already. PUPPETS!

Argh! I have puppet ptsd!!

Following this thread, looking for anything Pokemon related for my partner if anyone spots any bargains, thank you

Thank you for the Lego link ordered. I’m also waiting for the puppets 😂 missed them last year

I'm £300 lighter than I was when I started reading this thread got some bits from the Katie L website recommended (so DM and DMIL sorted for Xmas plus a few generic nice bits for friends etc) and then spent an absolute fortune on Rideontoys4u - on playmobil and vtech toys for DD, DS, baby DS and DNiece. My parents usually give me cash to buy presents for my kids so much of this will be going to them to put away for Xmas. Seems like a massive amount to spend but that was for 23 individual items, a couple of which were heavily discounted playmobil sets which will suit my DD and DNiece perfectly so thank you very much whoever recommended that site!

Can't remember what the cinnamon buns went for last year but I ordered these and they came today with a best before date of April next year

Thanks for the thread Reastie I've been watching these threads over the years under various names.

ASOS seem to do 20% off at least once a month. I've realised it's worthwhile putting items in your 'saved' list to have it ready. The website is a bit crap so when the offer comes up it's hard to find anything worth buying when you are under pressure. I managed to get 20% off UGG slippers last month.

Also are we still bolding store/website names so easier to spot?

@MrsDoctorDear yes please, I should’ve mentioned that! Please do bold the important bits everyone!

@GreatBritishWineDrinker

Can't remember what the cinnamon buns went for last year but I ordered these and they came today with a best before date of April next year

Horray, only taken 18 months to grab those!

@TheGriffle

Thanks for the ideas! She might be getting an Xbox so maybe disguising it in a huge box is the way to go along with a couple of other large but cheap things and keep talking to her about size and price of gifts. She’s quite sensitive so I don’t want her to feel disappointed on Christmas morning.

I'm just catching up so I'm sorry if I've missed further updates but if your getting her a main gift like that could you put it in a bigger box with helium ballons so when she opens it quite a show then when she opens it they will come out first then the gift left in the box?