Ye Olde English Mum’s Online Shopping Awards
Okay, so I won’t mention the C word today. Although this is somewhat connected as I thought I’d provide you with une petite listette of my favourite internet emporiums. Seeing as you’re splodged all around the globe I’ve listed the delivery charges to various places too. Apologies to Robert, Coastal Aussie and Susan for concentrating on the UK and Ireland. Maybe you guys can suggest some good Aussie/US/Hawaiian sites too?! Enjoy!:
UK Websites
Amazon.co.uk
Ah yes, the old faithful. I don’t use this as much now as there are certain things they won’t deliver to Ireland. And you don’t find out until the checkout page which is annoying. Still the best prices for books though. There’s a link here to their European delivery rates but it’s so complicated, it’s better just to order then discover the delivery costs at the end.
Cdwow.ie/cdwow.co.uk
I used to love Cdwow, but I’m a bit of a ‘disgusted of Dublin’ at the moment as I’m still waiting for two CDs two weeks after ordering them. Still, chart CDs are just €11.99 if you can be bothered to wait for them to be delivered. We used them last Christmas for computer games too, but make sure you order WELL in advance. FREE worldwide delivery.
Powderpuff.net
Wonderful site which carries all sorts of fantastic perfume, skincare and hair care products. Lots of good bargains on real high-end stuff here although they don’t carry the full ranges. Lovely quirky make-up stuff if you’re after pressies for young teenage nieces/daughters. UK delivery is FREE! Orders to Ireland to the value of £35.00 carry a £4.50 postage & packing charge, then £5.00 between £35.00 to £70.00, and £5.50 if you spend about £70.00.
Cadburygiftsdirect.co.uk
I love this site. When you have nieces and nephews a few hundred miles away, nothing goes down better than a surprise delivery of chocolate. Delivery is £3.95 for orders under £10.00 or £4.95 over that. They also do a really useful diary service where you can put in all your family birthdays and anniversaries and they remind you when they’re coming up. Sadly this is a UK only service I think.
Jane-packer.co.uk
Can’t be beaten for the classiest flower deliveries. Really high quality stuff and beautiful packaging. They do next day deliveries in the UK by courier and are SO much better than the crappy bouquets stuffed with carnations that you sometimes get from online services. Me Mam was delighted with her beautiful hat box stuffed with roses, and it lasted a good long time too. Prices start from just £22 for a beautifully packed bouquet of white scented freesias. Gorgeous.
Jomalone.co.uk
Next a bit of upmarket smelly stuff. I lurve Jo Malone, especially her beautiful candles and the Lime, Basil and Mandarin Cologne. Gorgeous stuff, beautifully packaged, this is a great site for a really special gift. Delivery costs between £5.50 and £12.00 depending on how fast you want it. Online orders are UK delivery only but international deliveries can be arranged on the phone. They’re lovely and helpful to deal with too.
Kitchengoddess.co.uk
Lovely, lovely Cat at Kitchen Goddess sells some wonderful stuff. I especially love their vintage pink enamel range and their lovely embroidered napkins, but they do lots of cookware and stuff too, along with Nigella’s Living Kitchen range. Delivery to the UK is £4.95 and £10.95 for EU countries, no matter how large your order.
Vintagewinegifts.co.uk
Really impressed with these guys. I chose a lovely 2000 Bordeaux for my wine-buff big brother. You can choose wines by how full bodied or fruity you like them, or send a nice port or whisky. My gift was shipped in a lovely silk lined wooden box and my brother was really pleased with it. Orders under £39.98 cost £5.99 to delivery and you get to choose the delivery date which is dead handy for birthday. UK only this one again I’m afraid.
Ireland
Kitchencomplements.ie
Everything you could possibly want for the kitchen and with worldwide delivery too. Prices depend on what you’ve ordered and where it’s going. You have to get to the checkout page before you find out.
Goodfoodireland.ie
This is just the best website for finding out about Irish Food. There are restaurant and hotel recommendations (you can even book via the website) and they’ll even help you plan your Irish holiday. Wonderful hampers stuffed with Irish fare can be delivered worldwide too.
Nextdirectory.ie
Great site but I think their mainland Irish delivery charge is extortionate at €9.50. Still, I have been know to order, just because I’m so damned far away from everything. They also use rubbish couriers who ring and try to get away with leaving your parcel somewhere in the nearest big town for you to pick up. Not as big a range as next.co.uk, but getting there, and some nice Christmas bits at the moment.
More to follow as I try some new things out. Have a lubly weekend! x
Here’s a book site that I’ve found to be excellent, especially for hard-to-find volumes. I don’t know about shipping though. ww.alibris.com