Thread 3 - The one with the unhinged crab 🦀

[Reastie]

I certainly don't want an unhinged crab for Christmas

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.

Thank you to everyone who gave me some great suggestions for gifts for my elderly care home ladies. Some really great ideas, thank you. Sorry I haven’t responded sooner, I’ve been ridiculously busy the last few days.

TK Maxx have an Armani advent calendar at the minute for £139.99. I’m guessing it was last years, but seems a good price if you like their stuff.
https://www.tkmaxx.com/uk/en/women/beauty/beauty-gifts/beauty-gift-sets/armani-advent-calendar/p/42032524

I’d say Miss Dior but it’s very expensive or Sol de Janeiro body sprays

My 12 (nearly 13 year old) still like Sol de Janeiro, Ariana Grande and has asked for Victorias Secret sprays for Christmas. I’ve also bought her a Britney Spears perfume. Basically anything sweet or fruity!

Ariana Grande Cloud (the blue one) is lovely and one of my teens fave

@boatgirl81 i agree with @Hopscotch12 , Miss Dior is very popular with my 14 yr old and her friends. It’s expensive but DD has just finished her bottle from last Christmas.
I think Sol de Janiero might be just on the way out with that age group.

Boots have some fragrance offers - including AG fragrance:

https://www.boots.com/ariana-grande-cloud-eau-de-parfum-50ml-10259502

Edited as screenshot didn't appear to post

@daisyboo1 i dont have it so cant necessarily recommend but saw this one in b&m this week

https://www.bmstores.co.uk/products/blaupunkt-milk-frother-401917

Thank you, that is all really useful. I like to keep Christmas as a surprise but the older they get the harder it is to get things right.

@Obsessingoverchristmas thank you. I was toying with the idea of a trip there today, so you've decided it for me! Will have a trip there this afternoon.

Accessorize has a 50% sale on now https://www.accessorize.com/uk/sale/?has_accessorize_card=false&lifecycle=LEAD&om_campaign=omme_38933276-785_7322_7589&om_send=d0d9da00e82a45039c187df784ebbedc&utm_campaign=omme_38933276-785_a_wk3_thurs_18_9_2025_crm_cayglaunch&utm_content=0_6&utm_medium=email&utm_source=ometria
Some things are 70% off too - 3 x Stitch glitter rings £1.50 reduced from £5 for instance https://www.accessorize.com/uk/3-pack-girls-lilo-stitch-glitter-rings-1000372902.html

Don't know how to edit my post!! But if you sort price low to high for accessorize (link above) there are lots of things for little girls (or little boys who like pink and unicorns etc)

@boatgirl81 Depending on how fashion-conscious your teen is (ie if she will definitely want a big brand/ avoid a not cool one) then the M&S scents are really good. My 16 year old loves them. You can get the little 'discovery' type packs or just go for a bottle - decent value at £10 for 100ml

eg https://www.marksandspencer.com/midnight-blossom-eau-de-toilette-100ml/p/hbp60502238#intid=pid_pg1pip48g4r1c3%7Cprodflag_plp_ts_CBS_6

10 is really young to be asking about skincare. Does she watch a lot of tik tok influencers? Please be really careful what you buy for her as the majority of skincare now has actives in it. There's a lot of concern at the moment about young children basically decimating their skin barrier with actives. Avoid anything with AHA/BHA, Vitamin C, any firm of retinoid, high percentages of niacinimide, anything described as 'brightening'. At 10 they dont need any skincare at all. If she wants a cleanser try and steer her towards cerave or aveeno. They don't have the packaging aimed at teens but they are gentle on the skin. Byoma is popular with teens but some products do contain actives. Im 50 and use some of their cleansers and serums. If you feel you want to buy an on trend for teens brand then Bubble is probably the best. Revolution also do a gentle starter kit of cleanser and moisturiser. Glow hub, which is also popular with teens, have age ratings on their products after the founder became really concerned when her 13 year old asked her for a retinol product, so that might be helpful. Just please do your research before you buy for her.

TK Maxx have some huge discounts on Les Nereides jewellery. Quite a bit of it is rather marmite but the initial pendants are rather lovely. I often lust over the daintier pieces in the window of their Covent Garden shop. Also a couple of Urban Decay palettes although not the most popular ones. Finally several Moleskine notebooks which might be useful for hard to buy men.

Love the bee revival kit thank you!

I agree with Bubble being a good starter brand as well as Spots & Stripes for young teencare. I’ve avoided Byoma for my 13 year old as some of the products definitely have things in which I don’t think are great for young skin.

I think this is also a good book to buy young girls so they can get a better understanding of what they need.

@boatgirl81 Billie Eilish is a good one for this age bracket, Victoria Secret sprays are a favourite from 9 upwards for girls!

TKMaxx has some half-ish- price Chelsea Peers family Christmas PJs at the moment, in the 'today's arrivals' section...

This is incredible, thank you! My DS is obsessed with saving bees and will be over the moon with this.

I’m looking for some lovely matching family Christmas pyjamas. We are hoping to buy them in every size so that as our little one grows we aren’t having to buy a whole new set each year. Has anyone seen any lovely ones? My husband won’t wear button down ones 🙄

The British boxers ones are gorgeous and they have trouser and t-shirt or full button down options. Lovely soft tartan. Not cheap (at all) but last well.

Thank you for this, I love them!
The site actually says 20% off 4 items, so I thought they must have changed it. Was going to buy one only, but put another in my basket just to check it and it went through at 20% off.
Bargain :)

@Obsessingoverchristmas thank you. I was toying with the idea of a trip there today, so you've decided it for me! Will have a trip there this afternoon.

OMG thank you so much - grabbed some Moleskine notebooks which I always get for DH for Xmas, you've saved me loads, I would NEVER have thought to look at TK Maxx for them!

They often have them in so are my main source these days...