Tag: stocking
I saved £313 at M&S by stocking up on perfume dupes – they all cost less than £10
A SAVVY shopper saved £313 at Marks and Spencer by stocking up on perfume dupes.
Fragrance dupes are in vogue, and while they might not be the real thing, the perfume impersonators pack a punch for a tenth of the price.
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/NINTCHDBPICT000793561419.jpg?strip=all&w=821)
Marks and Spencer is selling a range of perfume dupes[/caption]
Tilly Alexander hit Marks and Spencer to find the best deals, MyLondon reports.
The multinational retailer offers a plethora of dupes but the most sought after copies are of Chanel No.5, YSL Black Opium and Lancôme La Vie Est Belle.
And for an 100ml bottle, it will set you back just £9.50.
Tilly reviewed each dupe to see how close they compared to the originals.
Chanel No. 5 dupe: Velvet Rose
Chanel No. 5 is the most famous perfume in the world but M&S’s clone Velvet Rose is pretty close
Tilly said: “Clean, soapy and definitely not stereotypically feminine all sprang to mind.
“Bold and fresh but also kind of like you’ve just washing the dishes with Fairy.”
At only £9.50 for 100ml, Velvet Rose is an impressive £116.50 cheaper than the real Chanel No.5.
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/chanel-no-5-eau-de-648759059.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Chanel No. 5[/caption]
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/NINTCHDBPICT000793561506.jpg?strip=all&w=738)
Chanel’s dupe Velvet Rose[/caption]
Lancôme La Vie Est Belle dupe: Pink Pepper
Lancôme’s famous La Vie Est Belle has been copied with a dupe called Pink Pepper.
Tilly said: “The fragrance profile is described as floral, fruity and gourmand.”
A bottle of Lancome La Vie Est Belle Eau de Parfum will set you back £97.20.
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/lancome-la-vie-est-belle-371821666.jpg?strip=all&w=509)
Lancôme’s famous La Vie Est Belle[/caption]
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/NINTCHDBPICT000793561417.jpg?strip=all&w=810)
Marks and Spencer’s Pink Pepper[/caption]
YSL Black Opium dupe: Midnight Blossom
YSL’s Black Opium Eau De Parfum dupe is another top seller and is called Midnight Blossom.
Tilly said: “Even with only the minutest of spritzes, the scent was unmistakably a deep, heady floral.”
Marks and Spencer’s Midnight Blossom costs £9.50 for 100ml compared to YSL’s for £108 for 90ml.
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/NINTCHDBPICT000637924261.jpg?strip=all&w=513)
![](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/NINTCHDBPICT000793561492.jpg?strip=all&w=738)
Marks and Spencer’s Midnight Blossom[/caption]
Don’t let Grinch bots put coal in your stocking
Amazon’s Very Merry Deals event has tons of last-minute stocking stuffers and gifts on sale
![Amazon box and wrapped gifts sitting on orange surface](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/04Aeqq10KYDpjfBf2YvnyY9/hero-image.jpg)
UPDATE: Dec. 13, 2022, 1:30 p.m. EST This story has been updated with the latest items on sale for Amazon’s Very Merry Deals event. Here’s a look at our favorites for the day:
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BEST KITCHEN DEAL: Nespresso VertuoPlus Deluxe Coffee and Espresso Machine by Breville — $149.95
$199.95(save $50) -
BEST AMAZON DEVICE DEAL: 2022 Fire HD 8 Plus tablet — $64.99
$119.99(save $55) -
BEST LAST-MINUTE GIFT: Kodak Mini Shot 2 Retro Portable Wireless Instant Camera & Photo Printer — $79.99
$149.99(save $70) -
ANOTHER LAST-MINUTE GIFT: Cricut Easy Press 2 (9×9) — $99
$189(save $90) -
BEST GIFT CARD DEAL: Panera Bread $50 gift card — $40
$50(save $10)
As of Dec. 13, Amazon is repackaging a ton of Black Friday and Cyber Week deals (plus adding a few new ones) for its first Very Merry Deals event.
Naturally, Amazon has been in holiday mode since mid-October, kicking off holiday savings with its first Prime Early Access Sale. Black Friday and Cyber Monday came and went, and are now being followed up with one last pre-holiday savings extravaganza. Best Buy had the same idea.
The Very Merry Deals event runs through Dec. 21, with sale items marked with a green “arrives before Christmas” label. This might be your last chance to avoid a frantic last-minute gift idea brainstorm or expedited shipping chaos — so shop as early as you can.
Some deals will likely see a more permanent residency throughout the event’s duration (Echo devices, Fire tablets, and Kindles). Others may stick around for a few days at a time (select Nespresso machines have been 25% off for days now), while Deals of the Day will pop up and be gone within 24 hours. To keep track of sale prices during the event, look back at this post for updates, peep the “upcoming” tab on the Very Merry Deals event page, or add an item to your watchlist for a head’s up if it goes on sale.
If you aren’t about to doomscroll through over 300 pages of stuff on sale, here’s a quick look at what the Very Merry Deals event has to offer by category:
Unique gift ideas
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Up to 35% off 23andMe DNA kits
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Up to 51% off LED indoor gardening kits from AeroGarden
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Up to 35% off Tile Bluetooth item finders
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Up to 43% off Cricut machines and extensions
Kitchen
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Up to 25% off Nespresso coffee and espresso machines
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Up to 46% off Instant Brands air fryers, mixers, and more
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Up to 40% off SodaStream sparkling water makers and bundles
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Up to 35% off Stasher reusable silicone bags
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Up to 58% off Calphalon cookware
Tech
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Up to 33% off Google Pixel smartphones, Pixel Buds, and Pixel Watches
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Up to 54% off Logitech G gaming products
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Up to 29% off Bose headphones and speakers
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Up to 40% off Samsung QLED TVs and projectors
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Up to 33% off LG OLED and QNED 4K TVs
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Up to 33% off Fitbits
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Up to 55% off Samsung memory and drives
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Up to 30% off eero mesh WiFi systems
Home
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Up to 35% off Roombas
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Up to 69% off home essentials like bedding, pillows, curtains, and more
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Up to 63% off National Tree artificial Christmas trees and wreaths
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Up to 20% off Casper mattresses and bed frames
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Up to 26% off baby products
Amazon devices
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Up to 46% off all-new Fire tablets
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Up to 50% off Echo devices
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Up to 59% off Echo Show devices
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Up to 23% off Kindles
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Up to 46% off Fire TV sticks
Toys
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Up to 47% off Melissa & Doug
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Up to 58% off Playskool, Barbie, TeeTurtle, Tonka, and more
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Up to 58% off favorite character toys from Pokémon, Cocomelon, Paw Patrol, Disney, and more
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Up to 32% off National Geographic science and activity kits
![Two cardboard Amazon boxes and stars on blue background](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/articles/04Aeqq10KYDpjfBf2YvnyY9/images-1.fill.size_256x177.v1670950901.png)
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Movie Trailer: ‘The Holiday Stocking’ [Starring Nadine Ellis, Tamala Jones]
Nadine Ellis may have already brought some holiday cheer this season with her BET+ movie ‘The Christmas Clapback,’ but now the actress-dancer is showing off her moves for Hallmark via the network’s forthcoming festive film, ‘The Holiday Stocking.’
Directed by Roger M. Bobb, ‘Stocking’ tells the story of a “new angel who returns to earth as a stranger to help his sisters reconcile because it was something he didn’t accomplish in his lifetime.”
» Read more about: Movie Trailer: ‘The Holiday Stocking’ [Starring Nadine Ellis, Tamala Jones] »
The post Movie Trailer: ‘The Holiday Stocking’ [Starring Nadine Ellis, Tamala Jones] appeared first on ..::That Grape Juice.net::.. – Thirsty?.
Tech gifts under $50 that make great stocking stuffers in 2022
It’s easy to assume that the best tech gifts are the most expensive things. But there are plenty of options out there for the techie in your life that don’t require you to empty your wallet. If you’re struggling to come up with the best gift for an early adopter or a tech obsessive, we’ve gathered some of our favorite things that are both small and affordable. The best part: All of these ideas come in at $50 or less.
Chromecast with Google TV
If you’re at a loss when it comes to a good, cheap gift for the techie in your life, you can’t go wrong with a Chromecast. Google has two models available now: the $50 4K Chromecast with Google TV and the new, $30 model that supports FHD streaming. Like previous Chromecasts, these let you stream movies and TV shows from major services like Netflix, YouTube, Hulu andHBO Max, among many others.
The Google TV interface has always been pretty easy to navigate, but it’s simpler than ever thanks to the remote that comes included with both Chromecasts. It has an Assistant button, giving you quick access to voice commands, plus a circular D-pad, shortcut buttons for YouTube and Netflix, and support for HDMI-CEC and IR, allowing you to control your entire TV with it. And, unlike larger set-top boxes or smart TVs that your recipient may already have, the Google Chromecast is portable, so they can take it with them to make binge-watching their favorite shows easier when they’re not at home.
Buy Chromecast with Google TV at Amazon – $50
8BitDo Lite 2
The best gifts for the Nintendo Switch lover in your life are those that let them play games anywhere and everywhere more easily. 8BitDo’s Lite 2 controller does exactly that by giving them a more convenient controller to use with their Switch, or an extra option or two to play with friends while on the go. This tech gadget is small enough to fit in a pocket, but that doesn’t mean it compromises on ergonomics. The Lite 2 has joysticks and shaped trigger buttons, things that are often left off of ultra-compact and super affordable controllers. Plus, it supports customizable turbo functionality. It also pairs wirelessly with the Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite, and it works with Android devices and Raspberry Pi, too. Lastly, it powers up via USB-C, so chances are your giftee already has a charging cable ready to use with their new controller.
Buy 8Bitdo Lite 2 at Amazon – $35
Anker 511 Power Bank
Every new phone claims to have better battery life than the one that came before it, and that may be true in some cases, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be enough juice for everyone every day. If you know someone who constantly uses their phone until it reaches one percent, Anker’s 511 Power Bank would make a great gift for them. It’s a 5,000 mAh portable battery and a power adapter in one, so they can use it in two ways: to fast-charge their phone when they’re near a wall outlet or recharge the device when they’re out and about. It has a built-in plug for wall usage, but it folds down into the device when you’re not using it, keeping the whole thing pretty compact. We like that this tech gift is basically a little bit bigger than a tube of lipstick, and all your giftee needs on hand to use it is a USB-C cable.
Buy Anker 511 Power Bank at Amazon – $40
Apple AirTags
Most of us have someone in our lives who misplaces everything — their keys, wallet, purse or backpack, the list goes on. If that person happens to also own an iPhone, AirTags make the perfect gift and you can buy one for only $30. (You could even throw in an AirTag case for them and still spend less than $50.) These quarter-sized Bluetooth trackers pair almost immediately with iOS devices and can then be tracked using the Find My app.
You can use them to keep track of nearly anything, but they work best on items that take clips or keyrings or things like backpacks that have small pockets. In addition to showing their location, the Find My app also lets you force the Apple AirTag to play a loud chime so you can more easily find it in your home. And if you’re close enough to the missing item, Apple’s Precision Finding feature can literally guide you to it using the tech in your iPhone’s U1 chip.
Buy Apple AirTag at Amazon – $29
Peak Design Packable tote
It never hurts to have an extra bag with you whenever you go out. Whether you’re going to pick up groceries and know you’ll need one, or you’re heading out with friends and unexpectedly pick up a few things, a lightweight tote bag is crucial. There are thousands of options out there, but we included Peak Design’s Packable tote in our gift guide because it doesn’t have the typical reusable bag design and it remains fairly affordable at only $20.
The bag is made of 100-percent recycled ripstop nylon, which is resilient and as well as water resistant, and it has a zip closure, which is something most other reusable bags don’t have. It’ll keep your items more secure thanks to that, and it’s easier to carry in different ways thanks to its single shoulder/hand strap that sports microfiber padding for extra comfort. We also like that it has an interior pocket that can hold a phone, wallet or keys, and it takes up a surprisingly little amount of space when it’s packed into itself.
Buy Packable tote at Peak Design – $20
Logitech Signature M650 mouse
There are dozens of mice out there, and if you’re buying gifts on a budget, it can be easy to get distracted by the ultra-cheap options from unfamiliar brands on sites like Amazon. But Logitech, a leader in this space, has some budget-friendly options as well and we like the Signature M650 mouse for most people. Not only is it lightweight and made of recycled materials, but you have a number of ergonomic options to choose from. It comes in regular and large sizes, plus you can pick from right- or left-hand orientation, which really just changes the placement of the device’s customizable side buttons. It has Logitech’s SmartWheel scrolling technology, which provides more precision when you need to scroll line by line, and it connects to computers via Bluetooth or a Logi Bolt receiver. But the best part might be its two-year battery life; your giftee will only have to replace the mouse’s two AA batteries once in a blue moon.
Buy Logitech M650 mouse at Amazon – $40
Sony PS5 Media Remote
If someone you love recently got their hands on a PS5, it’s probably the only thing they care about at the moment. Gifting them the PS5 Media Remote can take their experience using their new console to the next level. This tech gift essentially gives them a better way to control the device when they want to use it as an entertainment portal. The compact remote has dedicated media controls that let them easily play/pause, fast forward and otherwise navigate, along with quick-launch buttons for services like Netflix and YouTube. Those service-specific buttons even work when the console is powered off, too. Plus, if they have a compatible TV, they’ll be able to use the Media Remote to turn it on and off and adjust the volume.
Buy PS5 Media Remote at Amazon – $29
Anker Nano 3 30W charger + cable bundle
Whether your loved one just picked up a new iPhone 14 or is still running on an older model, an extra charger will be of use to them. Anker’s latest bundle that includes its new Nano 3 30W charger and bio-base USB-C to Lightning cable will give them everything they need to power up their phone, tablet, earbuds and even their MacBook Air. The 30W output allows this tiny adapter to charge a variety of devices, plus it’s foldable so it’ll disappear into their bag. We also like that it uses GaN technology to keep it compact, but also for better heat management.
As for the cable, it’s one of Anker’s newest and it’s made out of plant-based materials rather than petroleum-based plastic like many others. While this may not seem like the most exciting gift, it’ll definitely be one of the most useful your loved one receives. Charging accessories are often things we buy at the last minute, like right before you board a plane as you remember you forgot your cable or adapter at home. A gift like this one might prevent them from feeling that panic in the future.
Buy Anker Nano 3 bundle at Amazon – $38
Blink Mini
If someone you love just moved into their own place, a Blink Mini would make a thoughtful housewarming gift. The compact camera plugs into a regular wall outlet and monitors activity inside the home, detecting motion and sound and delivering alerts to their phones via the Blink mobile app. It records in 1080p and supports two-way talk as well, so they can soothe their overly-excited pets even when they’re not home. We also like that the Blink Mini works with Alexa devices, so if they have an Echo Show 5 or similar smart device at home, they can use it to see the Blink Mini’s video feed without even opening the mobile app.
Buy Blink Mini at Amazon – $35
TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug Mini
Maybe you have a tech lover in your life or someone who just wishes their home could be a bit smarter – if so, TP-Link’s Kasa smart plugs are a great gift idea for them. Building up a smart home ecosystem from scratch can be intimidating, but starting off with smart plugs like these is a convenient and mostly stress-free way of doing it. These blocks plug into standard wall outlets and then turn whatever they plug into them into app-controllable gadgets. That means they can set a schedule for their coffee maker to turn on at the precise time each morning so it’s ready to go for them when they need to make a new pot. They could also use Away Mode to automatically turn on and off lights when they’re on vacation to make it seem like they’re actually home. Those are just a few things these smart plugs let you do with otherwise “dumb” items around your home, so your giftee can go as far as they want in creating a smart home.
Buy Kasa smart plugs (4 pack) at Amazon – $50
Yubico Yubikey 5 NFC
It’s important to keep your dozens of accounts safe with two-factor authentication whenever possible, and Yubico’s Yubikey NFC 5 is a good way to do so. It’s a physical key that you can use to authenticate when you’re trying to log in to accounts like Dropbox, Lastpass, Gmail and others. It uses the USB-A port on your device or NFC to validate your login attempt, and it’s small enough to fit on a keychain and come with you wherever you go. This model specifically works with USB-A connections, but if you’re willing to spend slightly more than $50, you can get the USB-C version that has all the same features.
Buy Yubikey NFC 5 at Amazon – $45
Panasonic Eneloop
There are few things worse for a gamer than their controller running out of battery in the middle of a session. Whether they have a backup ready to go or not, it’s a stumble that can totally throw them off their game – especially if they have to fumble around for another option while also looking for the charger for the dead peripheral. Panasonic’s Eneloop rechargeable batteries can be a big help for them in times like this by providing an easily accessible power swap for Xbox controllers and the like that run on AA or AAA cells. These also come with a quick charger that has level indicators for each battery, plus it’s capable of fully powering up four AA batteries in only three hours.
Buy Eneloop rechargeable batteries at Amazon – $28
Phone cases
Maybe someone you love just got a new phone and can’t stop talking about it, showing it off, and coming very close to dropping it on a regular basis. You can help them protect it by gifting them a case that not only provides extra cushion against falls and scratches, but also expresses their personality a bit. There are hundreds of phone case brands out there, but a few that we constantly turn to are Incipio, Case-Mate, Speck, Spigen and Smartish. Speck and Spigen are great for no-frills kind of people; most of their phone cases are slick, protective and come in a variety of attractive colors. Incipio is similar, but they also have their excellent Organicore line of compostable cases that make thoughtful gifts for the eco-conscious. Case-Mate and Smartish are great options for those who would like something more fun. Think: psychedelic flowers, outer space prints, glitter explosions and other similar designs.
Shop Incipio phone casesShop Case-Mate phone casesShop Speck phone casesShop Spigen phone casesShop Smartish phone cases
Scuf’s Universal Thumbstick Grips Are Great Stocking Stuffers This Holiday
If you’re struggling to find a simple gaming-focused gift that isn’t just another game or console, these new thumbstick caps from Scuf could make for the perfect holiday gift that the gamer in your life will actually use.
Scuf’s universal caps not only protect your controller’s thumbstick from wearing down, but they also provide better grip for your thumbs, and the increased height makes precision character or camera movements easier.