Amazon have a discounted Gruffalo Family Calendar on sale for £6.50  - a £3.50 saving, and free delivery.

• Get the family organised well ahead of time*

Okay, it's insane to even be thinking of 2013 yet, but there you have it. A Family calender for five people, with the Gruffalo as a theme. This calendar actually started in August this year and runs through December 2013. It has really good reviews all round, and everyone thinks it's fun and great and all those other good things you want to hear before you buy something.

The calendar has 5 columns along the top for five family member, and all the reviewers comment about the daily boxes being big enough to write in and still be able to read. There's also a pouch at the bottom which we're told is handy to store loose bits in. There are also stickers for helping to organise repeat activities.

Reviewers say this is "A must have for any busy family to keep track of their activities."

For lovers of the Gruffalo, it's a winner.

Thanks to mrtomtom07 at HUKD

Waterstones have on offer a Gruffalo apron for £2.75 instead of £5.50 and they also have free UK delivery.

• Get messy with the Gruffalo

Deals like this are the reason I love sites like HUKD and PlayPennies. With a little bit of planning, you can be prepared for Christmas and every birthday throughout the year, and be an absolutely fantastic gift giver without it breaking the bank at all. I recently saw a Dr Seuss bib that was so cheap it was almost criminal not to buy it, so I did, and then found out that my daughter's best 'friend' (at playschool) is a Dr Seuss fan. Well, that's Christmas for her wrapped up, and it cost me next to nothing!

This Gruffalo apron would make an ideal stocking filler, or added to one of the many children's baking sets we see floating about these parts, could be a lovely gift too - perfect for wintery apple pie.

This is a cotton apron,  appropriate for children aged 3 - 5 years and size 44cm x 33cm.

Thanks to bellabambino at HUKD

It may only have been around for just over a decade, but the tale of The Gruffalo has quickly established itself as a modern children's classic, with the original book spawning everything from a theatre production to a half-hour animated film adaptation.

Then, of course, there's the merchandise, such as this Gruffalo-flavoured Magnetic Adventures set aimed at children aged 3 and up.

It comes with two sheets of press-out magnetic shapes, each containing all the key characters from the story, along with flowers, insects, leaves, squirrels and frogs for adding detail.

The metal case itself serves as the background for these magnets to be placed on, with the inside of both the front and back of the case offering a typical forest backdrop on which kids can create their own Gruffalo adventure.

There are also two further backdrops on loose cards for added variation. Not being magnetic, these can't be used independently, but are thin enough to work when placed inside the metal case – or on any other metallic surface, such as a fridge door.

The look and feel is exactly what you'd expect from official Gruffalo merchandise, and everything is substantial and well made, though parents of younger children would do well to point out that the 27 picture shapes are in fact magnets that you push out, not stickers that you peel off – a lesson we learned the hard way, unfortunately.

Other than that, the Gruffalo Magnetic Adventures set delivers what it promises to: open-ended play and the chance for creative expression.

It's a shame that the set's overall size means the four scene backdrops are only a little bigger than A5 size, which can make things a little cramped especially given the size of the Gruffalo piece itself. But at under £10 it's reasonably good value, and you can always create larger scenes of your own to expand on its potential.

* Image: Mummybird

The Gruffalo Baking set is on sale at Play.com for £9.99 instead of £15.95, saving you £5.96 and as usual, offered with free delivery.

• Bake and play with the Gruffalo Baking Set

I really enjoy baking with my two year old, so I’m always tempted to buy when I see really cute baking sets on offer. I’ve only recently actually watched the Gruffalo, and have yet to read the book, but it is such a sweet story, I’ve fallen for it immediately.

This Gruffalo Baking Set consists of a rolling pin, a wooden spoon and two plastic woodland shaped cutters (an acorn, and an oak leaf, I think!), and a recipe card with a recipe for ‘Woodland Cookies’ but my eyes aren’t good enough to make out what those actually are.

There’s also an apron which is apparently easy to wipe clean, and a fab Gruffalo drawstring bag for it all to go in when not in use – although I see the bag being quickly incorporated into other uses myself!

I think this is a lovely set, and would make a really sweet gift or surprise for cooking with kids in the kitchen.

Thanks to wishihadadonkey @ HUKD

A special The Gruffalo Red Nose Day Book an activity book retailing at £2.99, but on sale at Amazon for £2.24, will be published in aid of Comic Relief on February 18th, a month ahead of Red Nose Day on Friday 18th March.

• Celebrate Red Nose Day and raise money for Comic Relief with this special edition Gruffalo sticker activity book

Full of games, jokes, recipes, colouring and drawing, and with over 250 stickers and some fantastic fundraising ideas, the Gruffalo activity book seems to be a very good price for what you get.

First published in 1999, The Gruffalo has sold over 4 million copies worldwide, has consistently featured in the UK Children’s Bestseller Charts and been translated into 40 languages. Last Christmas, apparently, the all-star animation of The Gruffalo was the most-watched children’s programme in BBC One’s festive schedule with viewing figures of over 9 million.

Anne-Cecile Berthier, Corporate Fundraising Manager at Comic Relief said, “We are really proud to add The Gruffalo Red Nose Day Book to our Red Nose Day library and for our Early Years campaign to star The Gruffalo. We hope that dressing up as The Gruffalo or hosting a Gruffalo food party enhances our supporters’ fundraising! Buying a copy is a simple way for our supporters to make a contribution to Red Nose Day while they are out shopping.”

Celebrate Red Nose Day and raise money for Comic Relief with this special edition Gruffalo sticker activity book.

Thanks to travy27 at HUKD

The much loved Gruffalo story will appeal to your little ones and keep them busy till they go back to school (or after school, if it's too late for that already!). The Gruffalo Activity Book is £1.98 at Play.com, a £2.01 saving on the usual £3.99.

• Go Play.com with the Gruffalo Activity Book

Has anyone ever read and not loved the Gruffalo? Well, this activity book is packed with puzzles, games and colouring-in. Games such as 'spot the difference', lead the mouse through the deep dark woods maze, a Gruffalo word search, Gruffalo dot-to-dot games and so on will keep your child enthralled for hours. It also features all the characters from the much-loved picture book classic.

And to top it all off, there's also around 50 reusable stickers and a scene from the picture book, so you and your little one can create your own stories again and again.

The Gruffalo Activity Book has 16 pages, and 16 full colour illustrations. It is in stock, so should be dispatched within 24 hours and delivery with Play.com is free .

Thanks to d0rm4nt at HUKD

I've just ordered this 2011 The Gruffalo Family Planner from Red House and I'm rather excited!

• Click HERE to grab your Gruffalo planner

I'm excited for three reasons:

1) it's a GRUFFALO Family Planner

2) it only cost me £3.99 instead of £9.99 (it costs that in Amazon right now)

2) it's not part way through 2011

You see that's usually when I end up getting calendars and wall planners, but I decided THIS year would be different!  THIS year I'd be organised and I'd get something cool, rather than whatever was left in the shops.

You think I'm kidding, earlier this year my only choices were Baywatch Babes or Hollyoaks Hunks - you try having a Hollyoaks Hunks calendar on your wall when you're old enough to be the mother of some of them, it's just not right!

SO that's why I'm excited, in three to five days a 2011 Gruffalo Family Planner is going to drop through my letter box.

There are five colums for each month so you can use a different column for different family members or different things, such as birthdays.

It comes with 150 stickers too, so you can add stickers to various events - I rather wish it was here already, I love adding birthdays and things for the coming year to calendars.

It makes you wonder why I've not always bought calendars and planners in advance...guess I need a planner to be THAT organised!

I used this code for free delivery when I placed my order and it worked perfectly: FREE5037

Happy Gruffalo planning!

Thanks to karen2boysxxx over at HUKD

Now if I'd got this Julia Donaldson book collection for my birthday (did I mention it's today...my birthday...) then I'd be very happy indeed.

• Click HERE to go over to The Book People

I love Julia Donaldson.

No hang on, let me rephrase - I love Julia Donaldson BOOKS! I obviously don't love her personally...I've never met her, although I'm sure she's very lovely!

I don't know anyone who's not totally smitten with the Gruffalo (ahhh it feels so good to write his name again, Gruffalo deals have been a bit thin on the ground lately), and who doesn't cackle along to Room on a Broom - the tale of the witch who loses her hat and goes on to have a rather crowded broom as she flies in search of her hat.

The titles included in this collection are:

• One Mole Digging a Hole by Julia Donaldson & Nick Sharratt
• Rosie's Hat by Julia Donaldson & Anna Currey
• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler
• A Squash and a Squeeze by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler
• One Ted Falls Out of Bed by Julia Donaldson & Anna Currey
• Hippo has A Hat by Julia Donaldson & Nick Sharratt
• Chocolate Mousse for Greedy Goose by Julia Donaldson & Nick Sharratt
• Tyrannosaurus Drip by Julia Donaldson & David Roberts
• The Troll by Julia Donaldson & David Roberts
• The Smartest Giant in Town by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler

Enter this code and you'll bag free delivery too: STB040

Thanks to Rhys135 over at HUKD!

If you spend £5 or more at Books Direct Bargains, use this promotional code to get a free gift. There are four to choose from, and all are of quite excellent value. The site also offers free delivery on orders over £5.

Click here to get a free gift from Books Direct Bargains

• Discount: Free Gift
• Minimum Spend: £5
• Promotional Code: 55099

Enter this promotional code on the Basket & Checkout page. You'll be asked to select your gift. There are four options:

Fisher Price 4 - a set of sturdy, interactive books including The World Around Me, All About My Day, Ears, Nose and Toes, and Who Lives in the Rainforest.

Red Luggage - a two piece set, with key fob, in (as you might guess) the colour red. This one is for the grown ups. It isn't, as I thought it was going to be, a set of books about a family of luggage and their adventures! It is, in fact, proper bags you can take on holiday.

Gruffalo 10th Anniversary Set - comes with a Party Pack containing an activity and sticker book, stencils and colourful collage paper. Plus, Gruffalo party games like 'pin the wart on the Gruffalo', make-and-dos, and even hints, tips and fun party ideas. The set also includes a Gruffalo Song Book, complete with nine songs, fun-filled actions to follow and a free audio CD to help the songs come to life.

Wii Carnival Fun Fair - and last but not least, this game for the Wii with 25 funfair games on it.

Thanks to tpol at HUKD!

The Gruffalo Trunki is back on offer at Amazon!

• Click HERE and ride on over to Amazon for this deal

At some point I'm going to run out of things to say about the Trunkis and my posts will just consist of these few words, "OI! Gruffalo Trunki back on spesh' offer at Amazon - go and get one if you missed it last time!"  HEY! What do you mean that would be an improvement on my usual posts?!

I wonder if the designers of the Trunki realised that it was going to take the kiddy luggage market by storm, and have normal, sane and rational grown ups drooling over them at airports like I was when I spotted one at Heathrow a couple of months ago!

Whenever I come across these funny, funky ride on suitcases on the Internet they are followed by hoards of comments from adults musing over whether they'd funny looks scooting through the airport terminals on one, or when the grown up versions are going to be released - it's only going to be a matter of time surely!

JUST in case you haven't come across the Trunki before (and welcome back to Earth, how was your trip to Mars? Where you've obviously been for a long time...) it's a kiddy suitcase that they can ride on when they get tired, comes in various guises (The Gruffalo tops the favourite list), it comes with a sticker pack so they can customise it and conforms to current hand luggage size restrictions.

The Gruffalo Trunki sells for about £40 everywhere else, it's currently up on Amazon for £31.99 but they have a habit of messing around with their prices so, if you want one at this price buy it now!

Thanks to phillyboy over at HUKD

Continuing the Gruffalo theme, I've just discovered a pile of treats and freebies at www.gruffalo.com, the official home of the Gruffalo.

• Click here to lose yourself in freebie Gruffalo fun!

There are all sorts of brilliant games and activities, totally free. You can download screensavers for your phone and computer, ringtones, e-cards and even wallpaper for your desktop.

You can enter a competition to win one of ten copies of TODDLE WADDLE by Julia Donaldson and Nick Sharratt by correctly choosing which word describes the way a duck walks. (A is the right answer!)

You can watch of Julia Donaldson and her husband Malcolm singing songs related to her books.

And in the Fan Forum you can chat with other Gruffalo fans or submit your own Gruffalo pictures and paintings to the Gallery.

And if all those freebies aren't enough to keep you entertained, you can also buy all sorts of Gruffalo goodies from the online hop, including birthday cards (£2) bags (£3.99) and my personal favourite, a tin of Gruffalo plasters (£3.95)!

We're big Gruffalo fans here at Play Pennies, and we know lots of you are too. Which is why we think you're going to love this furry little dude from BFC Direct.

• Click here to get your hands on this cute and cuddly Gruffalo toy

Fans of the classic picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler will want to grab this gorgeous Gruffalo toy - with furry felt teeth and cuddly paws!

Suitable for children aged 3 years and upwards, this lovable Gruffalo toy is now just £2.99, down from £5.99. At 148mm tall and 101mm wide, he's the perfect size for a little person's pocket.

And if the Gruffalo doesn't float your boat then there are lots of other toys and treats to check out at BFC Direct, including a little cuddly Kipper character for just 99p, down from £5.99.

There's also a fabulous range of books at prices that would make even the boys at Bitter Wallet smile.

Thanks to chun_li over at HUKD for finding this deal.

This new Gruffalo DVD isn't out until the 23rd March 2010 but you can pre-order it from HMV for £7.49 with free delivery instead of £12.99.

• Click here to pre-order The Gruffalo DVD from HMV now

An animated film based on the classic children's picture book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, The Gruffalo tells the magical tale of a mouse who takes a walk though the woods in search of a nut. Encountering three predators who all wish to eat him - a fox, an owl and a snake - the plucky mouse has to use his wits to survive. He announces that he is meeting a monster with terrible features, a 'Gruffalo'.

This was shown on TV as part of the BBC Christmas 2009 season and you can watch it again on BBC iPlayer until 7.29pm on Saturday 2nd January 2010. I predict we'll have watched it online at least seventy hundred times by then, so thank goodness we can pre-order the DVD. I might even get my laptop back.

The animation is perfect, bringing the book to life flawlessly, and the all-star cast makes it something I'm happy to watch over and over again. James Corden of Gavin & Stacey fame is completely brilliant as the mouse, and Rob Brydon has the snake down to a fine art. And who better to play the Gruffalo himself but Robbie Coltrane? Genius. Even the seventy hundredth time round.