There was an abundance of pre Christmas sales this year, with black Friday and the like, but most of my shopping in these was focussed around Christmas. I was thinking of toys for the girls, winter jumpers and stocking fillers. I was actually quite reserved and just got the few bits and pieces that I had already had my eye on.
The Boxing Day sales, which ironically seem to start Christmas Eve, are full of some fabulous bargains so I’ve been having a little peruse. All in the name of research for you guys of course. This time round I have been hunting out those items that are real offers and things that you will definitely use. The key to my sale shopping is to only buy things you had previously coveted or items that are of real use. Otherwise I find I end up with loads of bargains but nothing that I actually need nor really wanted.
When it comes to sale shopping for the little’s don’t just head for the clothes. There are plenty of other offers out there. For all the expectant parents out there this is a chance to get some of the big ticket items at reduced prices. If you read our Nursery essentials checklist start working your way through and seeing what you can check off.
To help you all out I’ve chosen a few of my favourite sale offers from clothing to furniture.
Furniture
If you are looking for a cot bed then Mamas and Papas have their classic white Lucia cot bed at £131 instead of £219.
I am loving this gorgeous Mint Green metal cot bed from Mothercare. Why was this not around when I had littles?! Currently £200 instead of £300. Ok, it’s still a little pricey but as it turns in to a toddler bed you will definitely get some use out of it.
Nursery
Most of the team has the Angel Care baby monitor and there are various offers on these at the moment. With £20 off at John Lewis or the video version is reduced from £249.99 to £179.99 in Mothercare.
I am a big fan of the Patternology range at Mamas and Papas. Each season they bring out a new range of prints which are always bright and fun. The range currently has 50% off and you can choose from this cute balloon print quilt and bumper or the bright circles or robots.
You can never have enough blankets and again the patternology range has some super stylish designs like this grey chevron which is now just under £15. John Lewis also has a lovely striped design at £17.50.
Stock up on pretty Muslins for trips out like these printed ones from Marks & Spencer. They also have a lovely floral sleeping bag for just £10.
Travel
Now is the time to choose your pushchair or travel system. There are some brilliant savings which will really make a difference.
If you saw our post on car seats you will know that a lot of the team favoured the Maxi Cosi Pebble. Mothercare have a £300 saving on the Quinny Moodd travel system complete with the Pebble. Suitable from Birth this pushchair is £465 at the moment which is a lot better than the normal £765!
If you opt for the Pebble you will also need to move up to a different car seat when your little is around 12 months. Kiddicare have a package on sale with the Pebble, Pearl and the isofix base for £345 which will see you through for many years to come.
If you would like to choose a car seat which meets the forthcoming i-size regulations then Kiddicare have the Joie i-Anchor car seat at £175 instead of £290.
Lolly is a fan of her Silver Cross travel system and you can currently pick up the 3D pram and pushchair for £300 in Mothercare instead of £500.
Feeding
This Oxo Tot highchair is now half price in Mothercare and comes in graphite or Mocha.
If you are planning on bottle feeding or expressing then the complete Phillips Avent starter set with steriliser and bottles and breast pump is £65 instead of £150 or the equivalent Tommee Tippee version is the same price.
Clothes
There are some fabulous savings on clothes at the moment. Buy in the next size up but make sure it will be appropriate for the season. No one wants wooly jumpers in the middle of summer. On seconds thoughts maybe that would be a good idea in this country!
I always think the January sales are a great time to pick up coats at fantastic prices. I will often buy them ready for next winter in the appropriate sizes. Although it seems a bit organised it really does save money when next year comes around.
Boden are always my first choice and I’m opting for the cute duffle coat which had a fantastic 50% off in Molly’s favourite colour, pink. It will be perfect for when she starts school next year and is a great price at £30 instead of £60. It can also be passed down to Alice when the time comes so a double bargain.
For little boys the Boden 50% extends to this ideal fleece lined anorak which is sure to withstand the numerous rolls in the mud and trips to the park. Molly actually had the girls version this winter and the quality is exceptional. For the littlest ones this cord version in soft grey is a classic style that’s super cosy.
The White Company is normally quite spendy but in the sale you can get their beautiful outfits for between 30 and 50% off. There are sweet babygros or these lovely trousers for girls and boys.
This knitted outfit from Boden is a classic that will be the cosiest over the cold January and February that they are predicting. Only £18 instead of £36.
Cashmere for the kiddies may seem extravagent but when it is just £17 I think it’s allowed.
PJ’s are always a sale staple for me and Marks and Spencer have a vast selection in various prints and styles. I like these graphic polar bear design for girls or robots for the littles boys.
Have you grabbed any great bargains in the sales or did you go all out pre-Christmas?
If you’re a fan of the mint green cotbed but it’s too small, Feather and Black also sell a single bed in duck egg which is a very similar style, and that has gone into their sale too. It’s lovely, I’m currently eyeing it up for our daughter as she’s decided to transition out of her toddler bed by taking over the spare room double!
Oh no. I shouldn’t have looked! I so wanted that Feather & Black bed when Molly went in to a big bed this summer but talked myself out of it due to the price. I went for a cheaper Cream version instead but now this gorgeous duck egg number is less. It has an extra 20% off this week so maybe I could buy her a new one…… xx
I’ve definitely got a case of clicky finger, but Mr H has specifically banned me from buying it, so I would actually be in trouble if I did.
But it’s so beautiful…!
Uh oh! I should never have clicked through, exquisite!
Maybe you could say Santa bought it as an extra special late Christmas present?! x
Really helpful article as usual, thanks Lottie! 🙂
I am pregnant with my first and with all these fantastic deals on I keep thinking its a great time to buy, but perhaps I am just too excited. When is it too early to prepare? Most people tell
me no less than 6months in, which I know is a safe and sensible thing to do but when you have sales on with Christmas money to spend and only one thing on your mind – it’s hard to not want too!
Tough choice on when to buy Laura. From about 4 months we bought one main thing each month to spread the cost so whether it was the cot, pram or steriliser and just tok advantage of any offers that were on at that time. I will say things like Sterilisers and baby monitors are always on offer various places so keep an eye out and then you can snap them up. With our pram we got a Mothercare ex display Bugaboo which was immaculate and a lot less than it would have been in the sales. We even asked if it was the best price they could do and they took more off so don’t be afraid to ask. Kiddicare always have great prices on car seats so again decide which you like and then just watch the big places like Kiddicare, Mothercare and Amazon. We actually got our Pebble car seat from Boots as they had a great deal on plus you got the extra baby club points which meant I had loads of points back. So after that waffling the moral is there will always be offers out there so don’t feel you need to buy yet xxx
And also, don’t leave it too late – you might not go overdue! Our pram was delivered on the morning that I went in to be induced, at 37 weeks.
We’ve been buying a bit earlier this time around; I’m 25 weeks now and where I’ve seen things on good offers, I’ve been picking them up – so far we’ve got a Chicco next2me bedside crib with £30 off and an Angelcare monitor for £50 instead of £90 (Amazon Boxing Day deal!). We’ve somehow ended up with NONE of the big things again this time around so we’re having to buy it all again!
Thank you for this! I just got the cutest little coat for next winter from Boden- only 16 quid! And accidentally on purpose some new ankle boots for me- half price of course. Bad mummy.
If you see it and you like it, buy it in my book. Especially if it’s a great deal- ignore the superstition and enjoy every second of hoarding/nesting. Curating her little life made S seem more real before she arrived. Do what makes you happy and never mind anyone else.
There are some absolute bargains in the womens shoes. I may just have also accidentally added a few to my basket! x