Christmas Bargain Thread 8 - The one with the Vag Charms

[RainbowZebraWarrior]

Hi all. I'm just caretaking until Reastie returns, but here's our new thread. Please do use up the old one first though.

This is intended as a friendly, kind, safe, warm and fuzzy place for people to share discounts, bargains and Christmas gift ideas both online and IRL. Please note the tone and intention of the thread and join with spirit as generous as DC helping themselves to the Christmas chocolate celebrations

Here’s some useful information about how to save the thread or a specific post so you don’t need to have a message to check in for every thread so you have the thread saved:

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If you have any referral links or codes, please share them on the referral thread here:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/christmas/5444936-bargain-referrals-thread-8

A reminder that we don't use affiliated links on here please

🎄 Emoji to copy if required for posting bargains as some agree this makes deals easier to spot. (or post in bold)

Thank you, I’ve just ordered one for myself as I love the blush and Pixi eyebrow gel.

For anyone who hasn’t ordered from Look
Fantastic before you get £10 off a £25 spend on most items with a referral link. I don’t know if it works with the Xmas crackers but worth a try. I’ve put mine in the referral thread, and I’m sure there are others too.

www.mumsnet.com/talk/christmas/5444936-bargain-referrals-thread-8?reply=155780709&utm_campaign=reply&utm_medium=share

@Elphaba17i was really impressed. I think I’ll pop back & get the cosmetic one for my niece who’s 18.

I've been eyeing one of these up, thank you!

Have you checked out Harvey Norman? This one is £189 if it's the correct one?

https://www.harveynorman.co.uk/products/shark-flexstyle-5-in-1-air-styler-hair-dryer-set-hd446sluk-stone

🎄hotel chocolat has 15% off for VIP members for another 4 hours. also a hot choc advent calendar which I've not seen before

amazon also has sealskinz socks at 39% off (they did have some at 58% off but they sold out while I was looking for a hat to go with them!)

maqio has a lights and sounds hogwarts castle for £30 down from £70

Jaques has an extra 20% off code on its homepage (loads of lovely wooden things)

Trainer cleaning wipes and trainer erasers £1.50 each in Boyes, good stocking filler idea

I do! This is what I mean, he absolutely would have opened a gramophone and a stack of LPs on Christmas morning otherwise. Thank you.

🎄 found these headphones on Amazon and they seem to be seriously reduced by 79%. Reviews seem good but not sure - maybe worth a punt?

https://amzn.eu/d/0dYiyeZG

@Gingerbreadseasoniscoming

Train mad household here. Three children all into anything train related betwen 5 and 7.

Brio definitely is still the most robust, we have added so much to our set over the years with things from bigjigs, ikea, aldi and lidl - all compatible if not quite as robust in some cases. Mine also love all the Thomas trains so I get these on ebay and vinted but the new ones in Smyths are magnetic this year.

We also have the Thomas trackmaster stuff, my youngest is now at age 5 able to click this together themseleves rather than having to have me or his older brother do it for him, this track is less flexible than the brio in terms of making their own tracks though but the sets are decent loops and I got a mixed track set to be able to link the sets together to make the track cover the whole room which is usually their intention.

We also have duplo train track which they enjoy but again less creative as they have to have it a certain way really to join it up but they still really like having it out. The track has things you place on it to make whistles sound, or the train stop or reverse etc so they like that.

Last year we got this sort of train toy, amazon.co.uk/Electric-Building-Educational-Vertical-360°Play/dp/B0HNSLR7FQ/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.y8ita_azDahHhbhb76gZu_C76LBVYlOqepGl3bi7vqdTmbGoY6Lqbxxo5XQZo0iRM-ES3J2RGSoKOGqIV6VmV2zhfp15ROcBc_F446WAPUWZSoImVDdd4FVpvHTaylSEn6rfMG7o8hH4HvqH4OBpacZdTZ-ZzyGZukaWg1fo9lk1SBCBK4bggQSevUJGB1LpGk1inypzVs9JV7PM06-uKmX0VKbG3ZIp1T1lSJWiibW_tbs2kAKEsbO6j61lVLnXiN2VQtZbtI-1OK2CaCqVzkr15QCYunYAlt9keDlSYo8.9kgndEy3qnt_mC_EfnqusDajAMDlbgGu_6rnt6961qM&dib_tag=se&keywords=toy+trains&qid=1793966999&sr=8-3-spons&aref=hOJdFc0pNz&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1 Sorry no idea how to do short links, and they like it but they're still getting used to it as it takes more brain power to get it to flow. They prefer it when I do for them of course!

This year they got given a lego train set but I would say mine are not really ready for the complexity of building lego yet. Their elder sibling and dad helped them to get it built but as we can't keep it out (not enough room) we haven't gone back to it to rebuild yet, but I think they will grow into this as they get older.

Lastly we have some Hornby trains they were given but they cost like £100 and I basically just have them on a shelf on display as they are so delicate I think they would break them. We don't have any track either but having seen loads of Hornby on display at model shows or musems we have visited I wouldnt think mine could handle it yet either (plus its so expensive).

Hope some of that might help anyway!

That's brilliant thank you. We have the vertical track toy as well and like you say, it's popular as long as someone helps them complete the loop! I think our best bet sounds like sticking with the wooden track and getting a few more remote controlled trains for it. This is one of our smaller set ups - it's often twice this size so I don't want to just get "more" but it sounds like there's zero point getting Hornby at the moment!

Am I missing a trick?I’ve just tried but says it’s a valid code but not available right now?! Wondering if hey have pulled it?

🎄

Mac Allister 18V Robotic Lawnmower at B&Q £149

Having problems uploading the link 🤷 but go to B&Q and paste item no: 5063022615794, into search

The Designafriend range at Argos. My daughter loves them and they frequently have offers on. Same size as American girl and come in a gift box with tissue paper. DD's asked for the fancy dress set for Christmas.

This is so brilliant, thank you so much for taking the time!

I have a couple of questions:

• are there any particularly great trains for the brio track? We have a “steam” engine which is popular
• are there any components/add ons which are particularly popular or have breathed new life into the track?

thank you!

For anyone else pondering extensions to existing track, I think this is our most popular component (or similar to this) https://amzn.eu/d/0d227qa0

Any Argos codes??? Pretty please… an old timer in desperate need

Does anyone know if Fortnum and Mason ever do discounts? I’ve got my eye on their set of “grey” teas for DH but would love to get it a little cheaper if possible!

My Give Me Cosmetics order finally arrived today. Included was an apology for the delay insert with a 10% off your next order code: 10SORRY, if it helps anybody.

Thanks again- this one doesn’t have the straightners!

@daisyboo1 I'd absolutely second the aura frame! Anyone with the app can add photos, so mum gets updates from all her grand/great grandkids!

That's better than I got! They offered me £5 off and a further £5 if did something for it....can't remember what now but wasn't something I was willing to do when I hadn't even had the first order!

However do have a free delivery code on orders over £20. Might stack 🤷🏼‍♀️ FREEDELVV6T9GTV

Oh dammit 😂 I specifically made sure it had the diffuser haha

@daisyboo1i got a photo frame from amazon for £45 which has an app people can upload pics too. I looked at the aura but it was out of my price range so got this one. I’ve checked the brand & it’s called Humblestead. I just did a general search and found this one. There are lots on Amazon

@ay30916 thank you. And to everyone that's suggested ideas - am off looking now!

We have that exact bridge too 😁 Mine have really enjoyed the bigjigs engine shed and the clickity clack bridge. They have level crossings and buffers too which they like. They like a turntable, we have a brio one but it broke really easily, I also rate the ikea ones we have too but they prefer this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hape-HAP-E3723-Adjustable-Rail-Turntable/dp/B01N4NR0KY because they can turn the knob. John Lewis have the best crane we have had, the aldi ones and bigjigs ones we have they come detached from the base. Can't see it on their website but it looks like this
if you can find one elsewhere maybe. Also if you dont have any wooden track connector peices like this then I find them good for when they need to make it work and you dont have the right pieces https://www.amazon.co.uk/Connector-Connectors-Non-Toxic-Natural-Accessories/dp/B0GLP3W4YL/ref=sr_1_10?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Znh1M-qZzM9VZ2XlPhwM9tkOIpiEZMedyMF6M6KTOpjrrNnsJqdBaknMx8q3zqThG4tdLb3akXp-HvoYtJ68U5SVmBtak6GrY1KgJRVh_YmVliQ_JLkPHsGiOf7WD4iSimuNu5qCpyAmVaHU64WrY6jxQSjijH0MZ9Oa_CVTxTGtn0jdzojrwQf-s51GRT42x_RO1RT5gY_ZwITCwMXSjoeNPmiHYabu8VyX2s0vNWuupXfYf7l6Pxwv8e9cWfYg7qVF27B0jNMqpCsZ1IghEkuCiQ9IX30zlqOWSeYPn60.oVKlez5LAwf5UfOng1TrGJmAh0DxsO-HRX5a8SiSsJY&dib_tag=se&keywords=wooden+railway+track+connectors&qid=1794002240&sr=8-10 I didn't rate the bigjigs skip, or the castle drawbridge as that broke really easily on the wooden resting post, many attempts to re glue havent really worked! They also liked this brio piece for changing the lights www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003AVMUVS/ref=sspa_dk_hqp_detail_aax_0?psc=1&aref=PR01AFKDHq&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9ocXBfc2hhcmVk and www.amazon.co.uk/World-33840-Bahnhof-Aufnahmefunktion-Kleinkinderspielzeug/dp/B0C8B5V1VX as you can record your voice for the platform announcements. Gosh we have way too many track bits now I am thinking about it!

This 'steam' train has outlasted the Brio version we had too so far https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DPZBRVVD/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?pd_rd_i=B0DPZBRVVD&pd_rd_w=FsufC&content-id=amzn1.sym.67a7787e-69bd-4913-9670-239f61f2c206&pf_rd_p=67a7787e-69bd-4913-9670-239f61f2c206&pf_rd_r=CXKDMYR6F0FYCGS49R9X&pd_rd_wg=rKYOE&pd_rd_r=fbb5650f-f614-4e44-94d6-410499ee997d&aref=7sdhyFQMtF&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw&th=1 otherwise battery train wise I also rated the John Lewis one. The bigjigs ones always seemed 'slow' in comparison. Mine really love the Thomas trains the most though and are happy pushing them around, I get them cheap on ebay from China though or vinted if they want a particular train.

I asked the same thing and was told they might have discounts around Black Friday, so I’ve been very patiently waiting! It’s the last thing on the list I want to buy for my DH.