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Christmas

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Original poster

Ok, found a really good gift, in the Guardian ...

24 replies

NotQuiteCockney · 01/12/2008 07:59

Only it doesn't exist .

Saturday's colour sup, page 91, "Wooden under-sea toy" from muji. No sign of it on the website.

I'm looking for gifts for our lovely neighbour, who helps out a lot with the boys. A cute wooden toy (ok, automata?) with a fish theme is ideal. Anything with fish. Or fancy coffee stuff?

I know she's doing slimming world, so I don't want to buy her candy or other unhealthy stuff.

I did used to buy her Occitaine stuff, this cooling moisturiser stuff - anything cooling is good.

Any ideas? Thanks!

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Flamesparrow · 01/12/2008 08:05

found those, but guessing they are not it?

Flamesparrow · 01/12/2008 08:06

Ooh i see what you mean "under the sea in a box cannot be found"

NorksDrift · 01/12/2008 08:09

Did they mean this?

NorksDrift · 01/12/2008 08:09

God, I'm so slow!

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 01/12/2008 08:09

Yeah. I'm figuring it was in the paper on Saturday, maybe it's not yet up on the website or is only in stores? Might ring them later.

I did find something for DS2 on the website, at least. and have gone to a gardening website mentioned in the Guardian, and found something for my neighbour and something for my MIL, so that's progress.

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JackieNo · 01/12/2008 08:10

Searching for automata, couldn't resist posting this link - they look fab, if rather expensive . Although the pedant in me wants to correct them for using automata when they should use automaton .

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 01/12/2008 08:10

Those cardboard things are cute, but they'd deffo be something she'd do with them, rather than something for her, iyswim. (Because if the wooden toy is nicely made and actually does something (which I think it might? It looks like an automaton), then she'd actually want it for her.)

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Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 01/12/2008 08:13

Automata are very expensive. We've bought her a few over the years - she has done so much for us, she definately deserves it. (She's like a grandmother to the boys, without all the 'telling us how to do everything' nonsense - she takes DS1 to school every day. She babysits for us. Etc etc etc)

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Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 01/12/2008 08:13

Oh, yes, I bought her jousting knights last year, I think.

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Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 01/12/2008 08:15

We might well end up getting her one, anyway, or as well, but cheaper toys that are automata, but aren't sold as such, are very tempting. Unsurprisingly. (She collects automata - if I'm getting her one, I need to be sure she hasn't already got it!)

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JackieNo · 01/12/2008 08:33

The fairground ones are pretty cute. Or does she only collect wooden ones?

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 01/12/2008 08:39

Hmmm, not sure whether she cares. Some of the 'art' ones are metal anyway - thanks for the link, I'll have a good look around!

There's an Italian company who make incredible wooden toys that I'd love to get for her - but I can't seem to see any way to get them (or prices, or any useful information). The website's been this way for at least a year!

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moondog · 01/12/2008 08:44

If it's for her, why are you buying her kids; toys?

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 01/12/2008 08:45

She likes kids toys (and fish). She collects automata. Some kids' toys are automata.

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Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 01/12/2008 08:45

(Oh, and like most grown-ups, she's not that easy to shop for)

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PortAndLemon · 01/12/2008 08:47

Clearly a trip to Barcelona or Milan is in order...

JackieNo · 01/12/2008 09:08

There's an email address on the site, why not just email them, and ask if there are any stockists in this country?

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 01/12/2008 09:32

Well, it says on their site that they're stocked by aedo-to.com, who I emailed last year, but didn't get an answer.

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BirdyArms · 01/12/2008 09:55

The wooden under the sea toy used to be on the website but I'm guessing it's out of stock. I saw it in a muji shop a couple of weeks ago though so might be able to get it from a shop. They also did a circus one that looked even better which I've been trying to hunt down with no luck

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 01/12/2008 09:56

Ah, ok, thanks! I'll try calling a shop or head office or something. Thanks!

What did the toys do, anyway? The description in the paper doesn't make clear.

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BirdyArms · 01/12/2008 10:06

They don't actually do anything so I fear you might be disappointed! Just a scene to arrange inside a box but they are pleasingly small and neat and I thought that the circus one in particular would delight a little girl.

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 01/12/2008 10:06

Ah, right, ok, then I'll stop faffing about trying to find it! They do look cute, but not that relevant for my neighbour!

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JackieNo · 01/12/2008 19:03

I was in Millets today, and they had some tiny metal automata - not the sort of place you'd expect to see them, and I can't see them on the website, but if you're near one, might be worth a look. However, I can't remember what they were of (I don't think it was very obvious).

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 01/12/2008 23:31

Oh, there are a few Millets I can get to easily - thanks for the tip. Will try to get to one tomorrow!

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