Christmas bargains thread 1 - just in the (Saint) Nick of time

[Reastie]

I feel like this year is going to be my year of terrible cheesy Christmas pun thread titles

Greetings and welcome one and all to a friendly and joyful corner of mn - the Christmas bargain thread. Here, we share Christmas present purchases, ideas, links and discount codes, with the aim to spread the Christmas magic and joy and reduce the financial stress.

It's a very busy thread, so see the tips below for helping everything run smoothly and avoiding repetitions of Cookiegate etc al. It's a lovely, friendly bunch and I'm so grateful to each and every one of you for building such a warm, fuzzy and generous spot on mn. I know I've save so much over the years and am so grateful to all of you for sharing.

Pull up a sleigh and relax with a mulled wine and mince pie, for Christmas has nearly arrived!

Some of the below is copied and pasted from previous years, so do @ me if the links don't work

Stock informer is a handy site http://www.stockinformer.co.uk/default.aspx?fullsite=1

Camelcamelcamel is a great amazon price tracking tool http://uk.camelcamelcamel.com

The following links compare price products including postage
www.find-book.co.uk
www.find-cd.co.uk
www.find-dvd.co.uk
www.find-game.co.uk (as in PS4/xbox etc)

@ me if you need anything or you want to let me know anything - the thread moves so fast I can't always keep up so this really helps

How about a subscription to something? Or some kind of jewellery? A hamper? Wine/beer? Something from the past, eg a newspaper from the day he was born?

What's your budget?

Can someone link the ebay store please? The one I'm on doesn't have otters etc 😄🤦🏻‍♀️

Amazing thanks @OrangeSmartiesTasteDifferent

Sorry for massive link @PumpkinSpicedTea https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234529952210?var=535598721061&mkevt=1&mkcid=1&mkrid=710-53481-19255-0&campid=5338986375&toolid=20006&customid=Cj0KCQjwi5q3BhCiARIsAJCfuZlul33eQUtlpQvzypJHw_9NYdSuOr7YMI8LvqedDFl9ZPSDtzI1DrsaAgpzEALw_wcB

@TheBigFish thank you so much!

@ChristmasMad1 personalised/photo blanket / cushion / photo book?
I raided our old photo albums and did a book of dads life which he loved.

@ChristmasMad1 for my Dad’s 75th, we got him a massive pork pie with a personalised Happy Birthday message baked on top!

Loads of places do them, just Google for your nearest option. Would def be a good ‘fun’ gift or could be a great birthday lunch centre piece.

(Bonus that it can be cut into wedges and frozen in case he’s not a sharer)

I'm off to the Asian supermarket today, any suggestions of things to buy for Christmas/stocking fillers etc?

As an add on to this I went through topcashback too

Great sale at Carrie Elspeth. I’ve ordered from them quite a few times and always impressed. Sale
Last year they came with a nice card and jewellery bag explaining how they are a small Welsh business- made nice gifts.

Hi i have a few gifts like the ideas of going to the past can go up to around £30, would like to go a bit lower if possible as that's all i have left from the budget but would like something special for a 75th birthday

Can confirm the quokkas and reindeer are also genuine oodies! One of my best buys last Christmas

Anyone using soccer03 for football shirts be prepared add on around £5 to what it says is the total, not sure if it's just with the Halifax but after exchange rate and charges it's usually around £5 more. Still two tops for under £40 though.

Probably not helpful at all as my dd is quite alternative but here's my list for dd (15) for birthday and Christmas from us/others.

Chucky doll.
Jewellery from the 10 for £10 at claires - she likes the earrings and chokers.
Manga books she's missing. (If you have an avid reader I highly recommend a zipped booksleeve)
Tickets to shows and gigs.
Loungefly bag.
Restock of art supplies.
Lush bath bombs.
Vouchers for her favourite shops (I've previously done this in an explosion box)
Reusable costa cup and voucher.
Bubble tea box as she loved it last year.
Box of Japanese sweets/foods.
Ticket to comicon and promise to buy outfit!

She definitely loves an experience rather than more stuff. Or Vouchers to spend over the year as her birthday is quite close to Christmas!

Hello wonderful Christmas bargain people. As an occasional threat lurker.i am ever in awe at your searching skills.

Hopefully that's enough flattery for you!

Have any of you come across something like the this offensive advent calendar but without chocolate?

World's Most Offensive Chocolate Advent Calendar - An Insult Packed Rude Festive Countdown - Warning: VERY offensive, over 18s only! amzn.eu/d/fajzSE6

The hopeful recipient doesn't like chocolate. I've thought about buying it anyway and replacing the chocolate with sweets and taping back up but I'm trying to avoid sweet calendars because another of my dc is unfortunately overweight and I'm trying to limit things so don't want one getting and edible calendar and others not.

Not necessary Christmassy but could be..
Green People have bogoff on their organic shampoos and conditioners until tomorrow at midnight with code SHINE
https://www.greenpeople.co.uk/collections/hc-organic-natural-hair-care-products

Some great ideas there for my DD14 who is also quite alternative @SootspriteSearcher thanks. Can I ask what is an explosion box and a zipped book sleeve?! My DD loves manga books.

I've just looked and Currys are still doing a digital giftcard for 12 months of Spotify Premium for £99. It's usually 11.99 a month so a good saving.

Maybe good for a difficult to buy for teen ir YA.

Re: True Face on eBay and the Oodies - I bought several last year:

Panda
Quokka
Sloth
Otter

My experience is that, as long as you select the pattern that’s the same as on the Oodie site, you will get an ‘Oodie’ with the label removed. I assume they are slight seconds, but I haven’t found anything ‘wrong’ with them.

True Face sometimes take part in eBay’s various money off promotions, delivery is quick and when I contacted them about one of my purchases, they resolved the issue brilliantly. They also have an Amazon platform where prices are a pound or two higher, but they occasionally have one or two different pattern Oodies from their eBay site.

I'm glad to help! This is the explosion Box (the middle was a small gift related to an experience!) We did a mix of funny memories, photos, affirmations and gift cards! My advice check it's preassembled as some you have to put together yourself!

the zipped book sleeves (loads of designs on temu but I'm sure are available elsewhere) they are good as they protect the books from knocks, dd is super precious about her manga!

If you are buying manga I recommend forbidden planet if you have one as they are all 3 for 2 instore and my local offered to order in if not available instore. Vinted is great for bargains too!

I forgot the photos 🤣

Yep, Forbidden Planet is one of DDs favourite shops 😁 Thank you

Thank you! SIL loves those.

Thank you to whoever posted about this Pokemon Megablocs being in home bargains for £9.99
I am thrilled! It's still in Argos for £60

There is loads of gifts for alternative type girls in the super saver seconds sale a previous poster put. I spent hours going through it earlier. There’s some beautiful stuff, all small independent crafters

www.supersecondsfestival.co.uk/makerlineup