My friend and colleague, Lynley, wrote a very clever and interesting feature on Father’s Day gift ideas, unfortunately, I didn’t read it until it was a little bit too late for me to do any of these ideas without it looking, well, like I did it a bit too late. It got me thinking about how there may be others out there, like me, who were faffing around and waving their arms in despair and figured I should try and find some quick and easy ideas.
Click here to read more...
You’re probably wondering why I am writing about a zombie infested disaster movie on a parenting site. Well, this is because it is nearly Father’s Day and most of the chaps I know have a fondness for zombies and disaster movies. And this is a really good deal with the brand new Blu-ray costing only £4.99.
The Blu-ray usually sells for £19.99 so you’re saving a pretty penny on this price and it is still cheaper than pre-owned versions that are selling for £5.99! This is the first part of the series as director Danny Boyle keeps you on the edge of your seat as you track the virus across England.
The population is devastated, London is deserted and the undead are violent horrors that move with unbelievable speed and really do scare the pants off you. So, grab the movie and some popcorn and cuddle up this Father’s Day with some rather terrifying movie moments.
Thanks to gerrymig at HUKD!
This Father’s Day give your dad something that will ease away life’s everyday stresses with one of House of Fraser’s relaxing treatments. Choose from energising massages to men’s facial treatments and let dad feel those stresses melt way. House of Fraser are offering this 60 minute Clarins muscle ease body massage for only £47 and with Father’s Day on Sunday 16 June you’d better hurry!
Whether your dad has overdone it at the gym or work, this intensely therapeutic massage eases tense shoulders, back knots and aches. Aromatic essential oils supercharge the stress-relieving benefits, restoring your dad’s sense of well-being.
The healing power of massage has been proven time and time again and even macho men are seeing the benefits of massage in their lives. This Clarins body massage is suitable for all skin types and at only £47, not only will your dad feel like a million bucks, he’ll think you really pushed the boat out to appreciate him. So check out House of Fraser’s mens gifting line – you’ll find something for every kind of dad!
Make you dad’s Father’s Day with a Flying Discovery Activity Day from The Brilliant Gift Shop for only £127! And if flying isn’t your dad’s thing, The Brilliant Gift Shop offers hundreds of fantastic ideas so you're sure to find the perfect gift to make your dad's day! Plus, you can even save up to 20% on selected lines!
Whether your dad’s a foodie, a thrill-seeker or a gadget geek, The Brilliant Gift Shop has the perfect present for him for Father’s Day on Sunday 16 June.
Let your dad feel the adrenaline rush as he takes the controls of a light plane and soars across the sky! He gets one-to-one training with a Civil Aviation Authority licenced instructor, and his flying time counts towards a Private Pilot's licence.
This experience includes an introduction to flying, aircraft controls and safety. Then dad gets one hour’s worth of flying lesson which will include approx. 30 minutes flying time with the opportunity to take the controls. The Experience gift pack includes a smart wallet, personalised voucher and message card. PA cover to a value of £50,000 plus cancellation indemnity.
Have you ever wanted to send a little something to a loved one, but drawn a total blank on what to choose? Flowers don't last, not everyone will thank you for chocolates, and a bottle of something bubbly just isn't always appropriate.
If so, look no further than the Tea Gift Company - who can arrange for a small but beautifully-presented package with a difference to be sent to your lucky friend or family member, from as little as £5.75 plus postage.
Founder Pip Gorst explains the inspiration behind the Tea Gift Company: “In Brisbane the heat can be relentless, meaning traditional gifts such as flowers or chocolates just don’t last. As an alternative I created unique tea-related gifts. Everyone commented on the beautiful packaging and the originality of the gift. Then back in the UK I realised that tea gifts are the perfect alternative to flowers or chocolates – especially as we are such a nation of tea drinkers."
Pip selects only the finest ethically-sourced, quality teas (available loose or as pyramid teabags) from specialized Tea Masters. Each tea blend is chosen carefully for its individual characteristics relating to special events or celebrations. I love the Mr. & Mrs. tea caddy - perfect for newlyweds - which combines a fine Chinese speciality black tea blended with layers of rose petals. Or choose from a range of tea gift sets including: Mother, Birthday, New Baby, New Home, Thank You, For Him, and For Her. And for Father's Day look out for the Strong Man gift set (£19.95). Also new are the Baby Boy and Baby Girl gift sets.
Use this Not On The High Street promotional code to get 10% off your order, including full price and sale items. Not On The High Street is an online marketplace selling unique and individual items from a large number of small businesses around the UK.
Click here to use your Not On The High Street promotional code*
To use your Not On The High Street promotional code you need to go through checkout. This means you will have to either log in or register. Once you are through to the Payment page, click on the link to pay with a 'gift voucher or promotional code'. Enter it in the relevant box and click on the apply discount button. It will be applied automatically to your order, and you do not need to enter your card details to see if it works.
I tested the code out on two items, one full priced and one reduced in the sale. The code took another 10% off both. However, be aware that you are paying for delivery on each item, not as a whole shipment, as this site deals with individual, independent retailers and isn't the actual shop itself.
Thanks to the deviants at HUKD!
Use this Past Times promotional code to get 25% off your order. It only works on full priced items I'm afraid. I tried it on an item from the sale section, but the code didn't reduce it any further. Which is a shame as Past Times codes we've run before have worked with sale items. Still it is a nice, sizeable discount anyway. Code expires at midnight on Monday.
Click here to use your Past Times promotional code *
To use this code, go to the shopping basket and enter it in the Discounts box. If it is accepted you'll see the discount appear immediately in your basket.
Delivery is £3.50 or free if you spend over £35.
I tested the code out on a large Hungry Caterpillar toy, priced at £20. The code took this down to £15.
Thanks to ji29zd at HUKD!
Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat… and the best way to have a cheap one, is by planning ahead and doing things in advance, right? Well, Hallmark have a lovely keepsake gift idea for you: Recordable Artwork.
It’s very simple, really – a box containing a frame, a canvas and a speaker/recorder, along with a paintbrush and six paints.
There’s a ‘Try Me’ button on the box, and when you press it, a man’s voice says something like ‘What’s this a picture of?’ and a girl responds by saying it’s her rainbow (the picture on the packaging).
Click here to read more...
I was going to write about the Charmed by Accurist ladies watches as a 5pm review because I have one and absolutely adore it - however, a couple of deals have popped up that are quite simply too good to run the risk of missing out on if Amazon start putting the price up.
The usual (and genuine) retail price for the Spring Blossom and Cherry Blossom Charmed by Accurist ladies watches are £110, Amazon are currently selling them for £27.50!
If you're a fan of Pandora bracelets then you may just fall in love with this Spring Blossom Charmed by Accurist ladies watch - think Pandora, or Camillia and others, combined with a very unobtrusive watch face.
I love elegant bracelet watches and I also love Pandora bracelets, but I didn't want to wear something on each wrist so when I stumbled across the Charmed by Accurist watches (on a British Airways flight of all places) I knew it was the perfect compromise.
The Spring Blossom Charmed by Accurist watch comes with four round glass bead charms - two very pretty pale pink and two slightly darker - and four silver coloured metal heart-shaped beads with inset crystals. The watch face is mother of pearl and has a crystal set at 12 o'clock.
The ends of the bracelet unscrew so you can add more beads and charms if you want to (it's compatible with all the main charm and bead brands) and has a lobster claw fastening.
There are a couple of things you should know about all the Charmed by Accurist watches
If you're looking for a watch that's different and pretty, or a present for a special lady in your life, then really do go and take a look at the Charmed by Accurist watches - there are lots of different styles and most have discounts on them at the moment too, although not as low as the two Blossom watches.
Happy being charmed!
My heart soars with happiness whenever I get assigned anything from Hampton Blue to review, let me explain why!
First of all you need to picture what Hampton Blue is like, close your eyes and take a little imaginary journey with me...
You're on holiday in a quaint little English village somewhere on the coast; you stroll through the adorable high street and stumble across a little shop selling things you'd use but aren't like all the usual run-of-the-mill versions you normally find.
THAT, is Hampton Blue and I feel it's only fair to issue a stern PlayPennies public service announcement:
Click here to read more...
Amazon are selling this Paddington Bear breakfast set for £7.57 instead of its usual £12.50 price tag; personally, I'd be happy to pay full price for it but all the while Amazon want to sell it for less I'm even happier!
I adore Paddington Bear! I'm often at Paddington Station as I catch the Heathrow Express from there when I fly, and can't help but smile at all the tourists happily clutching their Paddington Bear toys and having their photos taken under the Paddington station signs.
I'm also a bit of a fan of breakfast sets like this Paddington Bear breakfast set - it's made by Royal Worcester and would make a lovely Easter alternative to chocolate or a Christening, or other special occasion, gift.
The set includes a double-handled mug, bowl and a spoon; the porcelain is dishwasher and microwave safe and everything comes presented in a lovely gift box.
All the usual Amazon delivery options apply; I'll keep my fingers crossed they leave the price alone long enough for you to grab a Paddington Bear breakfast set if you want one.
Thanks to wishihadadonkey at HUKD
Here's a nice little promotional code if you want to get even more of a discount off the sale at Mothercare. Use this Mothercare online promotional code to get 10% off your purchases, including sale items.
Click here to get 10% off at Mothercare
To use this code, you'll need to go through the checkout process. If you haven't already signed up, you'll need to do so. Or, if you are then just log in. When you get to the final page of the checkout process, before you confirm the order, enter the code in the Promotional Code box.
There's a 50% sale off on selected toys at the moment, and you can buy one, get another for half price on all clothing. There's also the clearance shop, and special offers in all their departments including nursery furniture, strollers, and maternity wear.
Thanks to unome4 at HUKD!
Butterflies and Dinosaurs is the kind of shop I could simply get lost in. They have a gorgeous range of wooden toys, baby skin care, bibs and clothing, gift sets and organic teas and mum-to-be products available, as well as beautiful unique personalised artwork.
Funky things for little people, with 10% off
There’s a stunning range of wooden toys at Butterflies and Dinosaurs, a lot of which I haven’t actually seen before, so they’re not from the ‘major’ wooden toy brands. I love the ten brightly coloured Soldier Skittles that come with two little balls to knock them down with. Each skittle is around 19.5 cm in height, so they’re a pretty decent size, and cost £19.99.
What really caught my eye though was the superbly cute Noah’s Ark set, with seven pairs of animals (mostly African, it seems,) and Mr and Mrs Noah – this is a little more at £34.99, but I’m having a hard time not just clicking ‘Add to Cart’. It’s so cute.
If there’s a baby shower or new baby in your future, there are some gorgeous gift sets to choose from, and the personalised art work is really precious too.
Take 10% off the prices listed above, and throw in free delivery and hopefully you’ll love their products as much as I do!
For the second year in a row I've been charged with buying, and safely flying home to South Africa, a Harrods Christmas Bear for a member of my family; he's very cute but I wonder if I could get away with this £7, instead of £20, Christmas Teddy Bear from Mothercare instead!
Whilst I wasn't a dolly type of girl when I was little, I absolutely ADORED teddy bears and I had lots of them. Sometimes you don't need a toy that does anything other than just be soft and perfect for cuddling, this Christmas Teddy Bear from Mothercare looks like he's more than up to the job to me (I'm rather tempted to buy him for myself!).
If you're in denial about Christmas then it's time to man-up now, there are a mere 53 days left until the big day itself and at £7, rather than £20 (just in case you didn't get that the first time) I wouldn't be surprised of this Christmas Teddy Bear goes out of stock fairly quickly.
The best thing about him is he's suitable from birth and machine washable too; a perfect companion for your baby and their first teddy bear (of many, you can't escape that I'm afraid).
He's available for in-store collection too, which is the option I'd take otherwise you'll pay £4.95.
Thanks to EXZAMS at HUKD
Superdrug have a super deal that will save you a few pounds - mix and match 3 for 2 on all sorts of almost everything with FREE delivery thrown in for a bit of early Christmas cheer; HURRAH!
I'm rather fond of Superdrug; it's one of the last remaining bastions of the high street from my childhood.
It was the place to go as a young teenager to buy cheap make up - electric blue mascara, very pale pink glittery eye shadow to be worn as lipstick and coconut sun-gel that had no SPF factor, I'm not even sure SPF had been invented then *grin*
It's still the same today - teenage girls searching for make up bargains and us former teenage girls, still searching for bargains but now we can afford L'Oreal...as long as it's 3 for 2.
Superdrug online has more to offer than that though, there are gift selections for him and her, toys for the kids, hairdryers, straighteners, shavers, epilators and other forms of electrical torture.
They even sell chocolates and sweets; awesome.
Everything that's part of the 3 for 2 mix and match offer is identified with a little Christmas present icon, just add the bits and pieces you want to your basket and the cheapest one out of each three things is yours for free.
Happy early Christmas shopping on this abnormally-warm-dare-I-say-hot very late September day!
Thanks to grumpiness at HUKD
This time of year is always the season of gifts for me –and I’m not even talking about Christmas. It just seems that most of the people I know have birthdays in this last quarter of the year – right up to and including 31 December.
Find 15% off unique gifts at Spotty Button
I love finding unusual, useful and fun gifts for people too – not something they could have picked off a shelf in any old supermarket. Which is why I love Spotty Button.
They sell gifts and home accessories for both sexes and all ages.
Some of my favourites currently available at Spotty Button, at these discounted prices, are the Kids Insulated Cheeky Monkey Lunchbox (£5.90) or the incredibly cute Birds & Butterflies Tea Party Picnic Basket (£15.25).
In ‘for her’, you’ll find all sorts – from The Really Tiny Book Light (£4.03) to cozy looking Bubblegum Stasia Slippers (£28.86).
I always find guys particularly hard to shop for, so a little help from the ‘for him’ section goes a very long way and ideas include Bone China Cufflinks (£16.96), a Swashbuckling Barbecue Sword (£8.28) or a Golf Lover's Mug (£4.20).
Delivery is £2.50 for items under £10, and £3.75 for up £60. Over £60 is free.
The Book People are currently selling this lovely Guess How Much I Love You gift edition for £3.99 instead of £12.99.
"I love you right up to the moon - and back!"
That's just one of the lines in Guess How Much I Love You that, unless you have a heart of stone, is guaranteed to melt it.
Even though Guess How Much I Love You is a children's story - Little Nutbrown Hare and Big Nutbrown Hare discover that love isn’t something you can easily measure - it makes a lovely gift to give the grown-up loves in your life.
The Guess How Much I Love You story and it's delicate watercolour illustrations are SO beautiful they almost make my heart ache.
I know what it feels like to try and tell someone just HOW much you love them when there just aren’t enough words, or ways, to quantify it. However, what I can easily measure is just how much I LOVE this book - a LOT, is the answer!
If this is all your buy from The Book People today then a single item delivery charge of £1.95 will apply.
Even paying that little bit extra on top, I still love this deal.
Happy guessing how much someone loves you.
While Father’s day doesn’t seem to bring out the Hallmark moments, pastel posters and commercial overkill that mother’s day does, there are still plenty of ideas around for how to treat dad.
Of course, one of the first places that comes to mind when I’m looking for little bits and pieces for gifts and cards is Clintons so we asked PlayPennies mum Tammy to review a selection of their Father’s Day stock for us.
Tammy was sent a bell which says “Ring for Beer”, an “I’m a Retro Dad” T-shirt, and a Mr.Grumpy mug.
To get us started, Tammy shares her thoughts on the “Ring For Beer” bell. “This is a small dark blue bell with white writing. It comes packaged in clear plastic and is rather good to look at.” That’s a good start, as we generally like our gifts to be good to look at!
However, the joke was a little lost on Tammy’s partner. “My husband is not the kind of man who appreciates this kind of humour so he glared at the bell a bit and muttered about male stereotypes. I have to say that I kind of agree but the point isn't really about philosophy is it? It is about the fact that someone could buy this for their other half as a cute little extra joke pressie. And for that it is very cute.”
My mum had a bell she used to ring when we were kids. No matter where we were, we knew it was time to get home for dinner/bath/bed or whatever was next in the day. As did the rest of the neighbourhood, but this was life before mobile phones. At least it saves dad running around trying to find his kids.
“I don't know the price yet” – its’ £3.99 - “so i can't comment on that but it is well made, rather solid and has a pleasant ring to it. Once it was out the packaging our child adopted it until we both hid it to preserve our sanity. I then used it one morning to ring for coffee in bed, sadly this did not go down well.”
And, as a final thought, Tammy says, “Ok on further investigation you can get Ring for a Cuppa which I think I'd like for Christmas please :)”
Next up is the “I’m not Old, I’m Retro” T-shirt, which you’ll have to pick up in store.
“Like most Father's Day t-shirts,” says Tammy “this one is sweet and pretty targeted”.
She’s pretty impressed with the quality too. “The fabric is good quality and not too thin and crap”.
But it’s not really her sense of humour. “I didn't get the joke about Retro Dad if I am honest. Well, I got the joke but it wasn't funny. Not my sense of humour at all. The husband refuses to wear it as it says he is old (that's what he says) but I reckon that grandpa's will dig it and so sent it on to my Dad from his granddaughter. He thought it was hilarious and wears it on Sundays to ‘slooomph’ around in”.
Tammy doesn’t get told the prices of items she receives, so she’s guessing here. “If this is under £10, it’s good value for money with quality stitching, thick material and a nice transfer that hasn't washed off and gotten all peely after 5 washes so far.”
It’s just £5, so doubly good value, by my calculations!
The final item Tammy received from Clintons was the Mr. Grumpy mug, which was a massive hit.
“A few years ago,” she tells us, “I bought my husband a Mr Grumpy T-shirt which he loves and my daughter loves (especially now she is into Mr Men more) and when I whipped out the Mr Grumpy mug both their faces lit up in big fat smiles.”
Tammy was really happy with the mug, and thinks the mug and T-shirt should come out as a set.
“The mug is cheap, dishwashes nicely and is big. I hate tiny little mugs that give you one sip of bloody coffee.” Said, of course, in her best “I’m a tired mummy” voice!
Tammy’s final thoughts on the mug? “This is a MUG and does everything very nicely. I think this is a definite winner for our house, especially with the low price.” Which is £4.99. “Oh, and I see they also have Mr Happy mug, so I ask this - how did they KNOW my husband was Mr Grumpy? (HAHAHAHA)”
There are loads of other options for Father’s Day, so check out the website, and if you pass one, pop in store too, and have a happy Father’s Day!
Use this Higgo’s promotional code, exclusive to PlayPennies, to get £5 off your order when you spend £40. This is one of our favourite sites here at PlayPennies. You'll love the furnishings, toys, gift ideas and unique household items it sells.
Click here to use your £5 Higgo’s promotional code
To use your Higgo’s promotional code, you need to go through the first part of the checkout process. When you get to the Payment Confirmation page, enter it in the Discount Coupon box. It will be applied automatically to your order, and you'll see this when you get to the last page.
Delivery on the site is £5.50, so effectively this code is giving you free delivery. Which is always my favourite kind of voucher code! Another major plus is that it works on the total of your order, even if that includes sale items.
I tested it out on this practical, but stylish, canvas wardrobe with extra shelf. How gorgeous is it? The wardrobe has a pine frame, much nicer than a plastic one. It is on sale, marked down from £75 to £50. With standard delivery of £5.50, the code reduced the overall total to £50.50.
Argos are selling this Me to You Keepsake Treasure Chest with Body Treats for half price, £4.99 instead of £9.99.
I would have loved this when I was a little girl; I'm a little bit more 'designer' these days before anyone decides to send in a Me to You Keepsake Treasure Chest with Body Treats pressie for me!
When I was little we used to have big family parties at my nan's house on Boxing Day, this was almost like a second Christmas Day as my nan would buy all the grandchildren more pressies to open from underneath HER tree.
This Me to You Keepsake Treasure Chest with Body Treats is exactly the sort of thing she would have bought for me and my other girl cousins, the boys would have been given typically boy things like cars, cap guns and joke sweets - I remember being given a particularly foul soap flavoured one once.
This is suitable for little treasures aged three years or older and the keepsake chest contains: 50ml foam bath, 50ml shower gel, 50ml body lotion and some body polisher.
As it's consumable, the Me to You Keepsake Treasure Chest with Body Treats is excluded from the 30-day money back Argos guarantee.
It's available for home delivery for £5.95 or you can reserve it online, pop into town and pick it up in-store for free.
Thanks to millarcat at HUKD
Recent Comments