Thread 15 - the one where we 🤞🏻 for the WH Smith’s orders to arrive

[Reastie]

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@Beakerandbungle

I have a 20% off birthday code from the entertainer if it’s of use to anyone just PM me.

Separately if anyone sees a bear onesie for my 9 year old I’d be very grateful! I say bear but it’s more a fluffy onesie with ears - bit like the adult ones on Dunelm ( I’m trying to replace the John Lewis Sherpa onesie that they don’t seem to be stocking this year).

M&S have a leopard onesie with ears. Got one for my 10 year old.

[quote WhyDoesItAlways]@bigarse1 there is a thread on here about pre prepping Christmas lunch if that would be of use to you? I've got my gravy cooking now ready to freeze.

Or I'm sure the kids wouldn't turn down a takeaway pizza or something. I'm sure they'll be happy with whatever is less stressful for you.[/quote]
Thanks. I'm going to prep as much as I can but we have very little storage as a lot is taken up with kids meds. Also, as much as they love pizza they have autism so Christmas dinner will need to be Christmas but I'm Def going to look and see what I can pre prep or have an easier option x

[quote Minionbums]@bigarse1 I’ve got a tear in my eye now! Thank you for letting us know where you are with it and I wish you all the best. And that, for me, is one of the reasons I shop early for Christmas - starting straight after it’s over getting next years crackers etc - because the important things in December are relaxing and enjoying myself. So even if you do one or two bits each week from now on it will help you not stress closer to Christmas xx[/quote]
Yep I also pre prepare as much as possible and last year when we were both I'll even my husband said how good it was that I had prepared.
I think I had just got stuck this year as I didn't want to face it at all. My little boy is only able to be in school part time so it's already hard to get stuff done without him seeing. I had some forms to do for my husband and was having to get up and do them at 3am as little one only sleeps for four broken hours so it was the only time I could do it.
But now I have my lists and at least a place to start and if I can get my head around it then I can make it ok for them.
I really do mean my thanks, true Christmas spirit

@bigarse1 the cheapest I have found Lottie this year is with Gulivers Toys in Edinburgh, was £21 with free postage.

I have Woolovers 20% off full price stuff and free delivery over £70. XPS20 can't tell if single use.

[quote Scout2016]@bigarse1 the cheapest I have found Lottie this year is with Gulivers Toys in Edinburgh, was £21 with free postage.

I have Woolovers 20% off full price stuff and free delivery over £70. XPS20 can't tell if single use.[/quote]
Brilliant, off to have a look, thanks

I'm off to Home Bargains in a little while. They usually have Squishmallows. Can I look out for anything for anyone?

Typo/CottonOn have 3 mugs for £12 or 5 mugs for £16 they have lovely quirky sweary mugs that I’ve bought for me, a Mandolorian one and a Star Wars one that I’ve bought for DH. Delivery was £4 but £20 for 5 mugs all in wasn’t too bad, and they’re on Topcashback too.

@bigarse1 might be worth signing up to the Lottie website in case they send any discounts out?

@bigarse1: bopeepboutique has a good selection of Lottie dolls for £21.99. the laser boutique has a sale on Lottie dolls with a couple down to 19.99 (free shipping). That's the best I've found so far but I remember getting a bargain Lottie from these threads once so maybe there's better to come!
On Christmas dinner, I'm ordering pre-prepared from Cook so I can just bung in the oven and not have to think about it (either on the day or before). Not a bargain but I've actually reduced spend on presents to prioritise this! Would something like this work for you?

My Smiths order arrived today, missing one thing despite apparently being checked. It was only a craft kit for a few quid but still, I've emailed them although not expecting much given other's experiences here with their customer service.

Very pleased with the Melissa and Doug Astronaut outfit though, lovely quality and a great price.

Not sure if it's been mentioned but super bargains on Gap only today: 30% off 3 items, 40% off 4 items and 50% off 5 items or more

I spent but also saved £210.

Their plain hoodies and joggers are in a myriad of colours and with the 50% offer only £20 each. I buy the sets regularly for my teens and are brilliant quality. I've ordered 3 teen boy birthday presents too as a plain, good hoody never goes wrong. I also got a great gilet for DS1 for £35 instead of £70, lovely Xmas PJs for DS3 for £12.50, great winter hats for £8 and various tshirts.

@bigarse1 dunno what your budget is but you do pre prepped lunch that just goes in the oven. Just this once. M&S or booths if you can but TBF Aldi is usually just as good

Forgot to say, doesn't matter what pice the items are, so cheapest item is a plain tshirt at £10 add a few of these on to make your items up to 5 and you get 50% off everything and makes the tshirts £5.

@Beautiful3

I have been up most of last night searching for large squishmallows! Can't get any 20 inch/50cm ones anywhere. Has anyone seen any please?

They had lots of massive ones in store in Smyths yesterday. Assume online too? Farnborough store in case you’re nearby.

@MerylSqueak if you could see if they have a giraffe squishmallow, that would be fab. I need to make lists tonight as I'm way behind & ds birthday next weekend. He'll be 12 & suddenly just really wants big ticket items 😬

Will do @buckeejit

Just popped into Primark for. Browse and spotted these, the donut sundries were all folded up with ribbon on them - to be honest they don't look too thick, but the mens Playstation ones and black swirls ones were hanging.

Donut was £14 PlayStation £21.

Boots have got 25% off selected gifts, do they ever sell the smaller Joules gift sets as a half price Star gift ?
I'm hoping to use my points and want to make them go as far as possible, or is that the best they do ?

@bigarse1 You’ve got this! Glad we can help a little bit can tell you’re doing a grand job. Try to make a little time for you to take a breath too, it’ll help you keep going

@MysticCT I can’t remember ever seeing the smaller sets as a Star Gift, I think it’s usually the big set that’s in a tote bag?

[quote noscoobydoodle]@bigarse1: bopeepboutique has a good selection of Lottie dolls for £21.99. the laser boutique has a sale on Lottie dolls with a couple down to 19.99 (free shipping). That's the best I've found so far but I remember getting a bargain Lottie from these threads once so maybe there's better to come!
On Christmas dinner, I'm ordering pre-prepared from Cook so I can just bung in the oven and not have to think about it (either on the day or before). Not a bargain but I've actually reduced spend on presents to prioritise this! Would something like this work for you?[/quote]
Thanks, will keep an eye on the Lottie doll prices.
I love the idea of something I can just pop in the oven but we have a stupid amount of major allergies and very rarely find pre made that works. May not chop my own veg this year though

[quote Dolphintrainer]@bigarse1 You’ve got this! Glad we can help a little bit can tell you’re doing a grand job. Try to make a little time for you to take a breath too, it’ll help you keep going [/quote]
Thank you!

[quote lifelongfrugaleer]@bigarse1 dunno what your budget is but you do pre prepped lunch that just goes in the oven. Just this once. M&S or booths if you can but TBF Aldi is usually just as good[/quote]
Thank you. Budget is pretty tight and tons of allergies to deal with. But may treat myself to pre chopped veg this year! X

I received the boots points today for the Clarins baubles. Works out at £3.75 per bauble! I’m really please with that, thank you for mentioning it.

@bigarse1 - last year we got frozen turkey joint and veg/roasties/pigs in blankets from Iceland as a back up plan incase covid restrictions meant we couldn't do our original plan (we ended up making it on New Years Day) but it is a simple option that is still Christmas if needs be