Thread 11: The one with the cinnamon bumss

[RainbowPhilosophy]

Standing in for @Reastie as thread 10 was filling up quickly...

To do click links you do this put link in here then a space then the name or phrase you want to go with the link . Don’t put a space between the start of the link or the last word next to the like I have or it won’t work but I had to to demonstrate.

Some top tips from thelegohooverer:

My tips are:
check out companies on trustpilot before ordering
be wary of companies that only have email/contact firms for customer services and no phone numbers or addresses (unless of course you enjoy meaningless replies from bots)
keep a list of what you’ve ordered so you can follow up if something doesn’t arrive. Sometimes it’s a numbers game where they’re betting on people not following up on missing orders.
check where things are shipped from, particularly if you need them quickly. I’ve got caught out waiting for the slow boat from China when I thought I was ordering locally.
I’ve started using Revolut to avoid putting in my main bank details (and it helps me budget)

Aliexpress have lots of stuff very cheap, order early as it’s all delivered from Chinahere. Be aware some items are a bit knock off in quality and safety, check reviews and be aware. Clothes can come up v small and take the photos with a pinch of salt as a guide for what you will receive.

@WellThatsATurnipForTheBooks The whiteboard I have, am not sure it's metal. I shall have to look as some magnets for the stocking sound good.

@Purpleheadgirl lol I shall look at that for the hubbies office

The chair turned up today and although it needs putting together, I may wait until he has it. One as of storage and two, as it will look like a decent sized present next to his toddler sisters large presents lol

For a nearly 2 year old I would hugely recommend duplo (toddler lego). Tons of play value! We got the first set for our eldest at 18m and she still plays with it at nearly 5.5y! Youngest also adores it. Easy to add onto - can take it in the bath/garden for a change and they do character sets as well as basics which often include people/animal.

@BeanyBops not exactly an expert but weve had sylvanians for my 4 year old since she was about 3.5.My almost two year old also likes them, but plays with them in a more limited way, plus the pieces are tiny so he has to be watched like a hawk. I’d maybe say one of the more basic sets like the red roof cosy cottage and a couple of characters might be suitable, but I wouldn’t get any of the kitchen/bathroom etc sets, way too many tiny bits.

I love a jigsaw and have had a few from George's of Whitstable. A bit more variety and modern options compared to the more traditional types.

Sorry that was for @dementedma

DD wants white Air force 1's, she's a larger 6, so can wear the biggest of the child's sizes which saves a lot...... if only I can find them anywhere. Let me know if you spot them :)

@Wait4nothing
My dgc were playing with their Duplo over the weekend. They are 9 and 5, there was some lovely imaginative play going on.
For little ones Happyland is fab. We have the Nativity set and the Christmas set that come out every year.

Ah that's good to know, my daughter's lovely granny already plans to buy her Duplo! If she takes to it I can help build the collection as she goes along. Thanks to everyone who has pointed out the tiny bits - a toys not a good toy if it's causing me stress while she plays with it!!

Another thought re Sylvanians for younger children- you can always buy the actual sylvanians now and then get the proper furniture with all the little bits at a later stage. I got my DD sylvanian characters with the Asda dolls house and furniture which are much cheaper and more simple with no fiddly little bits to swallow or lose. Will then buy the actual sylvanian furniture at some point in the future :)

@EllenLRipley I just ordered the white ones yesterday from the Nike website.
They were about £56.

@EllenLRipley www.footlocker.co.uk/en/product/nike-air-force-1-low-grade-school-shoes/316732933904.html

@BeanyBops

Sylvanian family experts.... Is it wishful thinking that my nearly 2 year old might appreciate a Sylvanian family house and a few animals for her second birthday? Or is she too young? She loves animals, cats and mice in particular. And she's starting to show role play.

I got my eldest the starter cosy cottage I think it was for Christmas when he was 2. He liked it and it is played with now by my youngest 2yr old. Obviously I have removed all tiny bits but she likes the animals and the house itself

@Wait4nothing they have them in footlocker

@EllenLRipley they have them in footlocker

Sorry tagged wrong person previously

I've just had this Hotel Chocolat code through the letterbox . It says it's a unique code for one use only but looks pretty generic to me.

(it was on a random HC leaflet, not personally addressed to me)

@clpsmum I found these yesterday but when I click on them it comes up as unavailable...... thanks for trying :)

@shash1982 they don't have her size but thank you

@sew3stitch. Thankyou! Just what I wanted.

@Famousthehero Thank you for the dinosaur car toy thing tip. Bought it for my youngest and came beautifully packaged (not that the 1 year old will appreciate that)

If anyone missed out on the £2 Christmas joke book on Amazon I just saw it in The Works for the same price

@ellenlripley Very might be worth a try, they've size 6's there but might be in the adult sizing/price band. If you open a credit account with them you usually get a decent discount on your first order though which should bring them down.

Not sure if this is a Christmas bargain but the if you buy a £2 national lottery ticket they give you £25 voucher for days out with visit Britains shop. I've booked gullivers for the 23rd December as a Christmas treat costing £10 for all 5 of us! www.hotukdeals.com/deals/but-a-ps2-lottery-ticket-get-a-ps25-voucher-for-uk-attractions-3804717

Has anyone bought any nice blown glass baubles? After only having white decorations I've decided to add some colour this year.x

[quote Billyandemily]Not sure if this is a Christmas bargain but the if you buy a £2 national lottery ticket they give you £25 voucher for days out with visit Britains shop. I've booked gullivers for the 23rd December as a Christmas treat costing £10 for all 5 of us! www.hotukdeals.com/deals/but-a-ps2-lottery-ticket-get-a-ps25-voucher-for-uk-attractions-3804717[/quote]
Can you use it a number of times with the same account and email or is it one per customer?

Re the hooded wearable blankets, has anyone got one from here -
www.onlinehomeshop.com/sienna-supersoft-hoodie-blanket-one-size-charcoal-grey
The price looks good £15 and I like the plain colours. Just wondered what the quality is like.