It's the return of the Christmas bargain thread - 1 - the one where it's the first one of the year

[Reastie]

This post is a work in process and if you have any links you’d like to share or would be good to add then please do let me know. The general consensus for the thread is to share any bargainous links, ideas and/or discount codes or information. No affiliate links (is that the right word?) And any referral links to the separate thread linked below. This is a warm, friendly, kind and cosy corner of mn filled with Christmas cookies and hot chocolate - let’s keep it that way!

If you have any referral links then please post on this thread https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/christmas/5212180-bargain-referrals-thread-7 and share around the joy/referral perks.

@MamaK19 We did what a pp has said and took the pedals off a second hand bike for both of ours. Then used the "towel trick" for a few days and they got it so quickly! Previously, we'd bought universal stabilisers for the 2nd hand bikes we'd bought (which didn't come with them) and they were so much hassle! Stabilisers only work on really flat ground and when the child is going in a straight line - my two both fell off so much with theirs (learnt together cos the age gap is small).

@Giraffemonkey8
There were some in the holiday section in Home Bargains today, £12 or £12.99

If she's that tall, you might be looking at an 18" or small 20" – average height DD1 is comfortable on a small-framed 20" at just turned 6, although she's a fairly confident rider. I'd measure her height and her inside leg, and then take a look on some of the size guides like https://www.islabikes.co.uk/how-to-guides/islabikes-size-chart and https://www.frogbikes.com/en_GB/finding-the-right-size-bike-for-your-kids-fitting-guide.html. I'd then go for a good quality bike second hand if you can (quite a few around now, but hard to go wrong with Islabikes, Frog, or Woom) – the lighter weight really makes a difference.

Another option would be to hire a bike from somewhere like https://bikeclub.com/, which might be good if she needs something simple to learn on, but she's likely to outgrow it quickly.

I'd also say take the pedals off, learn to balance, and then put the pedals on and skip stabilisers if you can.

Hello all.
I'm feeling very Christmassy this evening as I've just booked our Christmas weekend away, going to Inverness this year.

So now that all the children and husband are all sorted for nursery,college and university it's time to start getting serious about Christmas.

We are really having to cut back on gifts this year (to still be able to afford our break away) so am definitely bargain hunting for stocking fillers for a 3yo boy and a 16yo girl.

Amazon has some of the sticker dolly dressing books around half price

• https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sticker-Dolly-Dressing-Summer-Camp/dp/1805072463
• https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sticker-Dolly-Dressing-Witches-Wizards/dp/1835409350
• https://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Sticker-Dolly-Dressing-Christmas/dp/147498908X

Quite a lot of Lego discounts as well, 20-30%, although mostly the bigger sets.

Thanks so much @skkyelark @Crimsonbow @Here4the @Cuwins I will check out the size guide, she had a balance bike for a little while and a scooter she loves so I’m hoping it won’t be too big of a transition but will rethink the stabilisers I just assumed it would make it easier 🤣🫣

Thanks @skkyelark just got the xmas sticker book for my daughter's dec box!

I completely agree with other posters -

1. Marketplace, eBay and local FB groups are the way to go
2. Don’t bother with stabilisers, buy a decent bike, and take the pedals off to make it a balance bike for a few weeks whilst she gets the hang of it. Kids who have stabilisers take so much longer to actually get riding properly.

Blokus is reduced at £12.99 on Amazon at the moment. Not the massive bargain from a few years back but it’s a really good all-ages game https://amzn.eu/d/6fycxC6

Had an email offering 5 issues for £5 on various magazines- Good Housekeeping, Red etc.
Varying amounts on TopCashback but says £5.10 cashback on GH so if it tracks you could end up 10p in profit!
I did something similar last year & did get the cash back I recall

A bit niche but Amazon have 20% off Vida the Vet toys as well as the Barbie stuff a PP mentioned. My DD 4 loves that show.

Looking for a lava lamp for my daughter, does anyone have any recommendations? I’d like one that can actually double as a bedside light if possible.

Is there a link or website for this? Thank you!

This one is on special for £13.33 instead of £24.99, has 4 star reviews

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B006AUBRAG?smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&tag=pepperegc-21&ascsubtag=ppr-uk-2873326443&th=1

It says 3 for £3 at the top but when you scroll down it’s 5 for £5
link

Not sure if already mentioned as I’m way behind but does she mean a general hash brown or the character in peppa pig? I think it was in the one where they go to America. (I have a five year old that makes impossible requests too!)

MamaK19 If anyone can find a crochet pattern, or even a good picture, rather than a cartoon, I'm happy to try and make you one.

Sorry I don't know how to tag someone on here.

@zacsGranny you can do the @ symbol and then start typing their username, a list will come up of users on the thread!

Thank you. @DressOrSkirt

@MamaK19if you google jellycat hash brown this comes up

I know it says potato but sort of looks like a hash brown

https://jellycat.com/amuseables-potato/

I can’t remember who but somebody was looking for Christmas hand towels. Next have this one

Also I saw a few Lego sets in our
local Sainsbury’s reduced last week

Anyone looking for kids pyjamas it may be worth checking your sparks card. I had 20% off fashion and home and then when I went to checkout it applied a second 20% off childrens pyjamas. Doesn’t seem to work on adults. The children’s discount was not available on my card and must be on the website. I managed to get 4 pairs for around £20

@Cos1970 oh thanks! It was me looking for towels. They look great 👍

My local H&M had some Christmas plates and bowls etc in their homewear clearance section - quite pretty if anyone is looking for something festive. Not on the website though so you'd have to go and look. The website did have a nice self fill advent calendar house at half price.