Thread 7: the one with the Sti sitting on the shelf

[Reastie]

Thanks @riverhouse for the title!

If you’re posting anything specifically for me please do @ me or I may not spot it. It’s helpful if when sharing bargain info you bold it to make it easy for people to differentiate between chat and bargain links.

To follow the thread without using up a post to mark place you can click on ‘watch this thread’ at the top of the first post.

No affiliate links please.

Referral thread here to use for if you’re posting your personal referral link to others.

Vodafone codes thread here

Second message has a few links and info which I’ll slowly build up, let me know if there’s anything you’d like me to add to it

Looking for recommendations for main Christmas gift for a 14 year old girl. She is adamant that she only wants boots and clothes but you know what it’s like, you want to wow them!

She has the tech that she would use, doesn’t really have a massive amount of hobbies. Likes makeup (alternative) clothes (alternative) animals and anime. I would be so grateful

@MissMarple0203 - how old is your DC? If only 2 or 3 (which is a common age for first train set) then I wouldn't get a powered engine.
In case you're not aware, all of the main manufacturers sets are compatible with each other. I really liked BigJigs sets. We also had Ikea, John Lewis & Tesco sets mixed in.
For toddlers, if you want a bridge, get a solid one piece one rather than one which balances on other blocks or struts as they collapse too often and toddlers don't usually have the dexterity to re-build them.

How to draw manga book with posh pens
Anime colouring book
One of those posters where you scratch off top 100 movies, books etc
Map of rude UK place-names
Kawaii stationary
Learn Japanese book
Origami book and papers
Green tea set and cups
Chopsticks
Pocky or other Japanese candy
Bento lunch box
Sponsored animal at zoo
Anime Badges

@MissMarple0203 hamleys have 30% off lots of brio at the moment and you can stack the extra 10% code on top.

IKEA is compatible with all brio and they have a little battery operated engine for £4/5

Tesco also have good sets. Just a quick hint about bridges etc I've wood glued them all together 😂 takes up a bit of space but i store them on top of the massive wooden box full we have.

Just had a look on the land send sale someone mentioned. Some fabulous bargains on there. I got myself some leather trainers, some wedge boots & a new top for £55.

Went to IKEA today - some Christmas stuff in stock (not loads) got some wrapping paper and a Christmas gonk and they had some stuff for wreaths.

Lakeside in case branch relevant x

@MeredithGreyishblue

Gah! You lot! So far I'm

A giraffe toilet roll holder (plus a cute sweater whilst I was online )
2 x books that turn into art
1 x lifeboat memorial

I need to mute this glorious thread!

Can you remind me what the code for Matalan was please? I've got my things sitting in my basket waiting to checkout

@Kollamoolitumarellipawkyrollo Brilliant recommendation thanks, this will be perfect for DH

@oatmilkisntsobad haha isn't that Giraffe holder great I couldn't find a voucher for Matalan, I just added a few cheap bits to the basket to get it over £40.00 to get free delivery.

No m&s biscuit house tins in either newbury stores. No halloween ones either. Both had the three colours of tea tins and the light up chocolate houses boxes.

Didn't check gins but the display looked sparse.

@AnotherOne4 I know! I have no idea who I'm going to give it to but I just have to buy it. And now I'm buying a lot more stuff I don't need just to get free delivery. I have seriously lost the plot!

@oatmilkisntsobad you could just get free click and collect?

@oatmilkisntsobad I did exactly the same. I ended up getting Giraffe loo roll holders, and then to get it over £40 for free del, I added some bra's, a baseball hat and a reed diffuser (It might be madness, but it's fun!)

[quote WisestIsShe]@oatmilkisntsobad you could just get free click and collect?[/quote]
Sadly I'm nowhere near a shop

Phew I've done it!
A giraffe toilet roll holder and a lot of stuff I don't need (salad bowl, diffuser, bras) ordered!

@MissMarple0203 the battery operated trains are what have got DS interested in brio trains. Big jigs does one that makes noise too.

@happytobemrsg I got my DD the YouTube book of records and a hoodie and pyjamas of her favourite youtuber last year.

@bootsornot we have a mini micro scooter which we bought for eldest a few years ago. little bro now using it so strong, but weight limit is 25kg so my big lad has nearly outgrown it at 5yrs.
We replaced it with the micro 2 wheeler stunt scooter for big bro - but bc it needs pretty smooth surfaces he only like to use it a stunt park. We live nowhere near one. For general ambling about in park and on pavements he requested a return to a 3 wheeler (he's also a snow boarding fan and the steering is more like boarding apparently0.
We got him this 3STYLESCOOTER which was about a 1/3 of the price. He much prefers it.
at 7yrs, tall 138cm and 32kg we got the age 5+ one because the only difference between that and the age 8+ one seems to be the colour options and price. 5+ is cheaper.

I hope that helps a wee bit....

@MissMarple0203 ikea, Aldi and lidl all do wooden train sets which are compatible with BRIO. You can also pick up some great, more unusual, junction sets etc second hand if you keep an eye of Facebook marketplace...

@YesIcan3

Has anyone bought from onbuy.com? Is it from china?

I bought DD a happy napper. It is from China but all good so far.

@WisestIsShe I happened to look at globes in TK Maxx yesterday and suddenly decided I want one for myself, after never having had any interest in Geography before.

Quick Google found them:

www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/home/home-accessories/decorative-accessories/green+silver-tone-globe-ornaments/p/83019629

Smaller versions were £20, in a range of colours in store. Looks like Amazon may have the same ones a bit cheaper but I haven't looked at the dimensions of those.

@pongopig

I bought some stocking filler fidget toys from here - they haven’t got a massive selection but they are UK based and it’s free delivery on everything at the moment. Very happy with my order.

Thanks for this. I sent this to my daughter for her popper mad children. She sent me back screenshots of the same toys from Shein, each with a massively reduced price tag. Couple of examples attached. Saw someone mention Shein as being good for gifts earlier. They certainly seem to be beating UK prices on poppers.

Sorry this wouldn't attach to last post.

Oh thanks@BeGoneDom. Were they big enough to be able to read most of the country names?

@sepsisandAKI
There was a deal where you just paid postage. It's worth checking back. I did 2 with mine and dh's details then cancelled.