Christmas bargain prequel 2023 thread 2 - the one without a side order of chips

[InDreamland]

Hope everyone is okay with me starting this new thread off. Thread 1 is at 992 so thought best get a new one up and running so we don't miss any bargains.

With thanks to @sideorderofchips for all your work keeping these prequel threads going. Hope everything is okay and you'll be joining us again soon to reclaim your fab threads.

The prequel threads are kept going through the year in the run up to @reastie taking over for the Christmas bargains threads late summer/autumn.

@Ginandrosemary I'll let you know if I see any deals! Tho I haven't much of a clue what is a good price tbh...... Thought I'll start looking about now and try and get a bit of an idea so better prepared for when ready to buy

I've had a nosey over thw last few weeks and the switch oled seems to be the better one to go for. My son also after mario.
Amazon and argos have a good selection of the switch games on 2 for £20 offer.

Recommend Gumtree and facebook marketplace for bikes. Children grow so quickly. We've had some fab second hand ones

@hiandhello4 thanks! I’ve been having a browse but to be honest I’m so overwhelmed with brands I’ve got no idea where to start!!!

are there any you’d recommend?

I’m going to take him into a shop to try some on for size and pray he doesn’t get sucked in by the spiderman ones

That’s what we usually do… go to Halfords and measure her up and then buy second hand if we can, although we’ve had good deals from Halfords too. If you do go for Halfords, don’t forget can order online and get Quidco or topcashback

We recently just purchase some bikes.
Strider on Amazon was cheapest we found it for.

Our other bikes we got from evans cycles. They have some being discontinued so clearance. We visited a actual store and the customer services was amazing. I'll unlikely go to Halfords ever again.

Skate hut also does bikes and had some good deals recently.

I know a few families who use Bike Club https://www.bikeclub.com/ and rent rather then buy bikes. Never used it myself tho

@Carolwithane we got our DS one from music magpie. Got the high grade one and has been perfect, no problems and saved a good amount of money on it

Blue is now £25 at selfridges. They also have some Pat McGrath mothership eyeshadow palettes for half price!

www.selfridges.com/GB/en/cat/jurassic-world-real-fx-baby-blue-di_R03940701/

I just checked what was nearby on the different sites, then googled the brands. have paid from £25-40 for brilliant bikes.

Ooh thanks for the dino Blue tip @CinnamonCoffee -was £30 with delivery. Had a brief moment of ‘it’s such a bargain maybe I should get 2’…

It is amazing value isn't it! Chuffed with the great price

@Willow4987 - Isla bikes and frog bikes always come hugely recommended and are often available on eBay and marketplace. Can strongly recommend marketplace for kids bikes.

Thanks @hiandhello4 and @Realfastfoodie

I’ve been doing some research today and have seen frog and islabikes seem to be highly rated! Just got to wait for the right size to become available in my area 🤞🏻

Slightly concerned he’s going to be too tall for the ‘first pedal’ bikes though 😬and not sure he’s ready for gears yet!!

@Willow4987 definitely go by height, and leave some growing room. Gears (assuming 3 or 5 not some insane number) are fairly intuitive at that age. It’s basically “easy” and “harder” 😂

@Willow4987 we love frog bikes, and they hold their value really well! So easy to pedal as nice and lightweight.

Two beauty bargain finds. Aldi have a slip dupe for £4.99 and are 100% silk.
Tatcha have 20% discount and the set works out at £56.80.

I picked up my first Xmas gifts in sainsburys (rl) kids clothing sale. 2 hooded blankets for £7.20 in the right colour and size for my two!

Thought of this thread!!

Highly recommend frog bikes - my eldest had a frozen one from argos as her first bike and it was so heavy and hard to use she didn’t have a chance learning without stabilisers on it. Got her a frog (6th bday) and her brother his first peddle bike (4th birthday) and they both learnt easily that summer! He was far better on a balance bike tbf. Hers has gears but they are barely used so don’t overthink. We measured them and went one bigger (not meant to but wanted it to last!) and looked at second hand across the country (luckily our family are spread out and helped with collections!)

I’m on the lookout for good eye masks - not for Xmas but because our room is light as day and I think they’ll be cheaper than curtains (we do have blinds already).

Another fan of Isla and Frog bikes here! Our son had both, and the other thing about them is they hold their second value amazingly well. They’re built to last so a great second hand buy.

I know Ali Express is popular on here for stocking fillers and items that are 'compatible' rather than genuine (think Lego versus compatible building blocks and figures.

I have been using Temu for over a month now and have found it to be better value plus much quicker shipping times. I have added my affiliate link to the referral thread, which gives you 50% off your first order (and a small fee/commission to me).

I was suspicious of using it initially but I have ordered over 100 items so far. I have had problems with two items (not working as described) and both have been quickly refunded. Minimum order is £10 but that also gives you free shipping (typically arrive 8-10 days later).

Another vote for frog bikes!

Over 100 items!? What have you bought? ☺️

@Realfastfoodie I know! It can be a little too easy to use. I've bought lots of sensory toys, a scooter, a few plain football kits, school bags, stocking fillers like stationery, small toys, plushies, etc., and several things for the summer holidays like water balloons, luggage/travel accessories, beach toys, and hats. There's lots of different categories, including homeward and clothing. The breadth of choice is perhaps not quite as wide as Ali Express (partly because they're relatively new) but they have most things you would find on there (usually cheaper).

Lots of toys on sale in my local Sainsbury's store today, including DC superhero figures with 25% off and lots of deals on Lego. It may be worth checking your local branch if you're passing.

Barbie Fashionista doll #180 only £4.99 on Amazon down from £11