Thread 3 - the one with the single use oven

[Reastie]

In message two are the links and info from last year - if anyone has anything they'd like me to amend or add, please do tag me and I'll update.

A reminder not to post affiliate links in the thread but that MN do change amazon links shared by posters into MN affiliate links.

Please do watch the thread rather than post to mark place to make it easier for everyone to keep up and find relevant info.

Has anyone seen a good reusable advent (ds will be almost 5)? I've got 48 little mario figures but nothing to put them in yet! I was going to decoupage the plain wood ones from the works, but the knobs don't come off. I'm running out of creative steam, it's my busiest time of year at work :(

@Iateitallofit is it just the cards your son is into or the extras to play the game? I used to sell Pokémon cards so have loads of extra stuff like the coins and dice sets, jumbo cards etc. I'm happy to send just for price of postage, send me a PM if interested 😊

I saw these great ones (definitely bargains) the other day but don’t need one. There are two designs this one is £3. I’ve bought other things from them before everything was better than I expected.

https://www.rinkit.com/products/christmas-tree-hanging-felt-fill-your-own-advent-calendar-by-nicola-spring?variant=42544041296059

My Bridal Beauty co VIP box arrived today and I am both impressed and happy with the products. I'll try to attach a pic but included items of note were:

Cutex 3 in 1 nail strengthener.
Charlotte Tilbury face cream.
Caroline Herera lipstick (absolutely gorgeous)
Penhaligan votive candle.
The White Company sleep spray.
E45 lip + face balm.

I had 15 items in total and really pleased with all though.

I got mine today too. Exactly the same items as yours. Very impressed for £30. I've ordered a few times from My Bridal Beauty and have loved every one.

@Blessedbethefruitz
I saw a cute home made one using 24 small kiddie socks (all those ones that lose their pair) hung from a string, bunting style, using mini wooden pegs (the type you can probably get in The Works).

Talking of The Works, they did a cardboard fill- it-yourself advent calendar last year. They were really poor quality and the wrong bits ripped when trying to open the windows, so avoid those ones.

The Valentte buy-one-get-one-free reed diffuser offer is back on! I've received mine and they're lovely. Just be aware that they send both bottles in the same gift box, so you don't get gift packaging for both.

I bought the astrollight and then instantly gave it to ds I was too impatient to wait until Christmas

I had it in my basket and was then emailed code SAVE15 which took off another 15%. We’re really enjoying the light - it’s very transformative

@Tbry That looks pretty passable, thanks!

Thanks @Athlebad for the warning, noted!!

@wibdib brilliant idea re the book, thanks! I have a birthday and Christmas to do so may go for book with something cycle related for birthday and then a hamper of nice bits for Christmas as suggested. Thanks all! Helpful as ever 😊

@Blessedbethefruitz you could print off loads of these to fill, maybe add them to a string?

Mario boxes

Im not sure if anyone can help , but each year I buy Pollyfields essence of Christmas oil to refresh my dried fruit wreaths . They normally sell at Christmas markets and had their own website . They are still listed as going to Winchester Christmas market this year , but that is nowhere near me .
However the website which normally reopens for sales in September has vanished . I think they were Bideford based , but don’t know if there was a physical shop . Does anyone know if they have closed for good , I can’t find the oil or a candle available anywhere.

@WidowedMum love that but I don't have a printer!!

Photobox have a sale on their credit for calendars. You can buy the credit now and have three months to create so includes December. Postage is extra when you create the calendar.

I have an interest in essential oils, so went down a rabbit Warren with this. No shop that I can see. Sold out on Etsy and another shop that used to stock it. A review from 8 months ago also states that a customer was unable to find this product any more. Also in another review it says its largely orange and cinnamon oil. Here's a pic of one that I use which may be similar. It's from a company called aroma energy and they always get 100% feedback on ebay. (And often have offers on)

@RainbowZebraWarrior is it Aroma Energy Store on Etsy? Thanks - I love oils too.

Yes, thats them. They often have a buy 3 get 3 free offer on and it's worth signing up to their newsletter, too. I make soaps, candles and wax melts (as a hobby mainly) and have been using their oils for a couple of years. Also bought one called Christmas Mountain to put in a hamper for my friend as I know she likes pine type fragrances. I'm currently using two of their blends which are nice for autumn. One is called beside the fire or some such and the other ginger snaps.

I recently bought black pepper, rosewood and lime oils from them and recreated my favourite Neom blend (Complete Bliss)

If you go to your local library they should be able to do it for you.

Do Smyths ever do discount codes etc? It's the only place that does the two toys my daughter is desperate for (Cry Babies Newborn Coney and Winks the Sleepy Kitten).

Urgh returning my Vtech marble run as they've stuck an address label on the box and it won't come off without ripping it. Not very good for a Father Christmas gift! Will reorder as a gift and hope it comes boxed although the Vtech globe I did this with didn't!

Amazon's kindle fire and kids kindle fire are all on special offer until the 12th of October.

Have you tried using a hairdryer to lift the label?

@SgtCatherineCawood is this off Amazon? Make sure you scroll ALL the way down to the bottom of the basket screen. There is sometimes a tick box that says something like ships in something that may reveal contents and asks if you want it shipping in Amazon packaging (even if you have marked it as a gift you need to check for this tick box - marking as a gift only means no price is shown on the slip)

I've tried that @LampsAndWatches 🙁

There's nothing like that @Justhereforthechristmasthreads. Only the gift option. When I ordered the globe I did that and wrote a little note and it wasn't included! Good job I knew it was from me 🤣