Christmas bargain prequel thread 3 - the most we've ever had!

[Sideorderofchips]

Phew I keep losing track of you all!! Thread 3 already!!

Has anyone else had their John Lewis onesie order cancelled? I ordered to Dino onesies and just received the order minus the dinos. Just phoned a Ned been told they are out of stock - I ordered on 17 July. Disappointing

@Cuwins have just spent 40 quid on that book site and I'm not sure how! 😅

Oops 😬 sorry! That's easily done! Bet you got lots of books for that though?

@Cuwins on yeah, 20! Some of them are for summer hols and work, some for Christmas presents and they're all a bargain!

Absolutely never found a book on there that's not a bargain!

No all my order came in a huge box. I think did my big order around that time. I didn’t order a Dino onesie though.

@Castlebutnotahaven no mine arrived last week, I just checked and I ordered on the 16th. I wonder if they were waiting for one of your other items and it went out of stock in the mean time. Annoying though as they should reserve stock once it's been ordered. Not typical for John Lewis to be honest (unlike Boots 😡)

@Castlebutnotahaven if you give them a call they can find which stores have them in stock and post out from the store. I ordered two marble runs that way as they'd sold out by the time I saw the post on this thread. They're quick to post out too.

Hobbycraft have the colour in cardboard buildings down to £10. I can't remember how much they were in previous years but they're a good size gift and our castle is still used by DS.

Brand Alley have some good reductions. I've only looked at the kids section but there are half price janod wooden toys, a great casdon wooden post office set, classic toys wooden sushi set, Ben sherman and mango clothes, some really lovely leggings for little one and a few odd usbourne books and small playmobil sets, and some lego shelf/box units.

Matalan 20% off code if anyone can use it. If I remember correctly from last year, it's not account specific if you use it online (please correct me if I'm wrong!)

JPAYE-6SL-00HPA2-737

Is anyone having problems with getting a refund from a boots cancelled order? I ordered the toys that were on this thread, paid by PayPal and it was cancelled but haven’t got a refund on my PayPal account?

Paperchase have just launched mystery boxes. They're £25 and are apparently worth £75. I'm not sure what's inside but it might be good to split up for stockings etc or as a gift for a teen.

My all beauty and fragrance direct orders arrived yesterday and they’re great. I’ve almost got mil sorted, I need some oils for the diffuser, a housecoat and a box of chocs nearer the time. God daughter is also done bar sweets and a bottle of pink Prosecco. Got great stocking fillers for my two girls.

im determined to buy less this year, there really is very little anyone needs and I know I over do it.

If anyone gets a paperchase box would you share the contents? It says they are all the same - I’m tempted…

I have been making notes of things people say since the start of the year, to use as Christmas present ideas. In the last few years I have become more and more aware of wanting to avoid buying tat and buying for the sake of buying, but it's also nice to be able to give surprises rather than working solely off lists. This way seems to satisfy both.

Seeing as cost/budget has been raised in several threads and also mentioned on here, just a reminder that it's only a bargain if you would have bought it anyway, it truly is the thought that counts and that quality matters so much more than quantity. I have been guilty in the past of seeing bargains on here and trying to make them fit the people I need to buy for, which is daft.

I've been up since half 2 so hope I've worded this right, because the intention is to be supportive and ease people's worries just a tiny bit, not to mither anyone and sound naggy. I am a true Christmasphile and love treating people, no scrooge here.

@tentative3 true or it could be a bargain if you buy it instead of something you would have brought that costs more

Yes absolutely @Cuwins. I obviously didn't get the tone quite right!

I buy my oils from “mystic moments”
They do really nice boxes of themed oils on eBay. I usually pay about £6. We’re currently using the “desert island” (rum punch, mango, pineapple etc) and “summer” (strawberry, freshly cut grass etc) oils but there are so many other options. I love them.

@tentative3 good reminder, thank you! It's so easy to get caught up in the excitement but we've all been on the wrong end of a gift bought because the giver liked it.
I've found topics for presents helpful, if you are looking for e.g. books for a 5 year old it's more likely to make a good present than just a general things a 5 year old might like. One of the highlights of this thread for me is everyone being so kind about tips for other people's specific present requirements 😊

OOh thank you @GrinAndVomit

I need to take note of this too thanks for the gentle reminder 🤍

I think the hardest part for me is moving off the thread when done for FOMO. I know I did it alot last year and then ended up with extra stuff, some of which I had to use myself (like toiletries) and some was used for birthdays through the year, but my god my wardrobe was heaving all year round with boxes which was actually quite unhelpful 😂 I'm almost done now which is perfect as DD is due in a few weeks, so please boot me off of here if I'm still loitering in a few months time 🙏🤣

If anyone knows of some bargain bamboo socks I'd be grateful, I got hooked after the sockshop bargain a couple of years ago and now resent paying full price 😂

Asda instore have added more sale clothes