Thread 6 - the one with Otis and the Christmas miracle

[Reastie]

@Cupofteaandbiscuits and @NewtyCutey loved the happy reunited story with Otis.

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!

@ 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

A few pointers to make everyone’s life easier and the thread be as useful as possible:

• It’s handy to put in bold the bargains so they’re easy to spot
• No affiliate links
• No need to place mark or post messages of hello or thanks at the start of a new thread - use the ‘watch thread’ button
• Be nice or leave

The current referral thread for sharing referral codes https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/christmas/4940918-4940918-bargain-referrals-thread-6 . Please use this rather than this page to share referral links to make the sharing fair.

To make clicks links, you set it up like this only without any spaces apart from between the website and the word(s) you’re writing: www.bargainsahoyeveryonecomehere.co.uk

Thanks @RainbowZebraWarrior for the instructions below.
To make something bold, put this star * either side of the word you want to bold (with no spaces in between)

So starhellostar would look like this.

hello

Obviously use the * not the word star

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)

Note to anyone going to buy these - only around half the shops have the Christmas stock in store at the moment.

The rest will get them in stock in about a week to 10 days.
(I went to ours this morning and the bloke had to check with the warehouse when they would be available)

Bit random but 20% off family and friends railcard at Trainline. Think you have to use code HQg5eS3H

Has anyone been to b&m and can tell me what stocking and santa sacks they have? My two eldest have red stocking with grey fur and no initial and red sacks with please leave my presents here on them and I need matching for my littlest surprise 🤣

does anyone know if one can use blue light discount/other nhs discount in store at Sainsbury's and other shops? thanks

@DamitJamit - B&M had red velvet sacks with Santa appliqué on the front - no initial and beige velvet with cream trim with initials when I went in a couple of weeks ago

@ImageMirror

Peugeot Salt & Pepper

There was a stocking swap thread for a bit because they changed the design every so often. Should show in a search. Hopefully you'll find it in the shop but I know we didn't.

Next thread title?? 🤣

That are they called please? I can’t find them x

I'm sure I'm previous years threads there has been discussion and recommendations for decent cameras for kids. My nearly 6 year old has just said that is what he really wants. Is the vtech one in Smyths any good?

Any bargainous recommendations would be most welcomed!

Sorry for the potential detail but Peugeot like the car? They make wanky salt and pepper shakers?

@gobblegobblenibblenibble we have the vtech duocam my DS got when he was 2 (he's now 3). The lag on it is really frustrating for him and the picture quality isn't great. We've discussed when he's older getting a "proper" digital camera for him when he's less likely to drop it and break it. The frames etc are fun but not worth fighting the lag on turning on/taking photos etc.

Hi @gobblegobblenibblenibble My DD (now 9) has had a Kiddizoom Twist camera and one of their watches for for 3 or 4 years now and still uses them both regularly. I don't think they still make the particular models she has, but I recommend the brand. They're certainly robust!

I don't think they have a name as such, but they are jellycat dupes and they sell them (usually near the tills) at One below/ Onebeyond whatever they call themselves these days

Yup. Since 1840

As I posted upthread, they aren’t in stock yet in all the shops, the guy in ours rang the warehouse staff to ask.

He said give it about 7-10 days to be stocked in all the shops.

Have done since before there were cars!

Oh no I’ve ordered 24 for my 8 year old as the size guide said that was 8-9 years - now I’m worried it’s going to be huge on her! 😬

Could anyone recommend a tried and tested crystal growing kit? There seem to be so many to choose from.

@fluffytail I'd love a set if they haven't gone already? I bought a rose gold set and liked them so went back to get a gold one but they'd sold out!

A couple of questions for those who bought endoscopic cameras the last couple of years.

I was looking at this one which is £14 after the voucher has come off. Is that a good price?

One of the reviews says it needs you to install an app that requires a lot of access to the phone. Is that true?

ETA somewhat amusingly, it comes up as “often bought with” the gardening book from a few threads ago, so I presume it is a popular one with MN 😅

My Tu haul this morning was good with 25% off and managed to get dis’s girlfriend a jumper hoodie I hope she likes! At checkout I was given 2 in store vouchers, £6 off a £40 spend and £7.50 off a £50 spend.

Oh no. I didn’t see this. I thought they were bought on Onbuy so thought they were online. I obviously misread

My local not very big Tesco has cuddle cushions (like a backrest with arms) in grey, cream or pink fleece on special at £14 instead of £30.

Another request … Is there anything like Beer 52 but for cider?

Ideally somewhere with a bargain first box, but then with the option of a subscription.

I can find craft cider places, but nothing similar (or bargainous!).