I am an absolute lover of Groupon. I think the idea behind it is fantastic, and I love having the opportunity to treat myself to things I really ordinarily wouldn’t justify in my budget. There’s always someone in the family that needs new shoes before I can have a massage. There’s always something that takes priority over something I might like to treat myself on. But with Groupon, there’s actually the option of doing something nice for myself or for people I care about from time to time.
Recently I was given a £100 Groupon voucher to spend on whatever.I.want. You have no idea how rare that is. Even though I do work and do earn an income, it really isn’t money that goes in my pocket. I’m sure at least one or two you of you know what that’s like? And the upside is that Groupon doesn’t sell baby stuff, or pay bills, or do grocery shops… so you have no choice but to spend it on something nice.
So what did I do with my £100? I bought dinner for myself and my husband – we’ve not been out to dinner in over a year – and I’ll give him the voucher for that on Valentines day, so we can go two weeks later when my sister is visiting and can look after Ameli for us. I bought a one-hour massage and facial for two for myself and my sister for after I’ve had Squidgy – nothing like throwing Daddy in the deep end for an hour or two! And I still have £40 left! I’m being very selective about what I’m going to do with that. Buy myself another massage for later in the year? Spoil a friend in need with something?
A few months ago, I even bought a £140 photo shoot for just £29 and it expires when Squidgy will be about two months old, so we have time to have a professional family photoshoot with our new born!
Perhaps a family day out? Or a wine tasting party at home for myself and six friends – maybe for my birthday? I could even get my living room repainted, although not for £40.
My plan for next Christmas is to put a few treats from Groupon into our Advent activity calendar, so while some days we’ll stay home and bake a cake, other days we might have a family adventure golf day. Some days we might go to the park, other days we might go to a theme park or local attraction, all at massively reduced prices, and because I’m buying packages throughout the year – it won’t all cost at once (although there are date restrictions, so do keep those in mind!)
I’ll let you know how our Groupon days we’ve already bought go in February… I can’t wait for a bit of ‘special’ time.
*Update 1/02/12: Regular readers will know I’m a huge fan of Green People, and today Groupon have a FANTASTIC offer of 60% off Green People products. £12 for £30 of Green People products.
Competition
Groupon have kindly offered readers two chances to win a £50 voucher. Head on over to Groupon now and see what the offers in your area are today, then come back here and let me know which you would spend the £50 on if you won. (Remember Groupon offers are only available for purchase for one day, so you won’t actually get that offer, but if you win, you’ll get a £50 to spend on any upcoming offers you choose!)
You can also follow Groupon UK on Facebook.
For an additional entry, sign up to receive our Competitions Only RSS feed or the standard RSS and leave a second comment below to say which one you’ve signed up for.
This competition ends at 23:59 on 13 February 2012 and the winner will be randomly drawn using Random.org
WINNERS:
Please read the competition rules.
You do not have to tweet or share this competition to enter, but doing so helps ensure that I can keep bringing you competitions! You can subscribe to Diary of a First Child by RSS or email. You can also follow us on Facebook or on Twitter. We hope to see you back again soon!
Make-Up Lesson For Two People for £18 with Lip Couture (78% Off)
i FANCY A Haircut With Deep Conditioning Treatment, Style, and Finish
I would spend it on the photoshoot and canvas print as the last time we had a family portrait done was around 20 years ago!
I have signed up to the feed through MyYahoo too
I would spend it on Three Course À La Carte Lunch For Two for £47 at Les Trois Garçons 🙂
I have signed up to the competitions feed – the one that was linked to in the first page!
I think I’d put it towards a posh meal to give me a night off from cooking!
Wash, Cut, Blow Dry, and Conditioning Treatment for £24 at Caprice Hair and Beauty (Up to 76% Off)
I would spend it on the three course Malyasian meal for 2 in Kenilworth, Warwickshire 🙂
The teeth whitening kit
Fully Installed Loft Insulation for £29 with Loft Space Insulation (Cardiff).
That would be the sensible option, then hopefully a massage with the change.
I would love to win the One Night Stay For Two With Breakfast at Great Trethew Manor as restaurant serves wild meats including bison and zebra, which is something I’ve never tried before.
This is the current deal in my area;
300 Sq. Ft of Carpet Cleaning for £29 from Supreme Carpet Cleaners (Up to 72% Off)
If I won the voucher I would put it towards a spa day 🙂
I would put it towards afternoon tea for 2 at Forburys x
Signed up to your RSS Feed
Axis Bar and Kitchen- Islington
I’d get a Two Hour Domestic Deep Clean for only £19, and I’d use the rest to treat myself to a cut and blow dry. What a treat!
I’d go for the Two Night Stay For Two at the Legacy Preston International Hotel, it looks like a real treat. I’ve used Groupon before, they’re such great value!
I’d put it towards this e-Careers Web Design course, so I can invest in my future!
http://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/portsmouth/e-careers/3291530
I would put it towards a lovely night in a posh hotel- us mummys don’t get many treats do we!
Our 20th wedding anniversary is in August so I’d put it towards one of the hotel weekend deals. If hubby behaves I might bring him too.
subscribed to yahoo RSS competition feed first time I’ve done it so think it is working
I would spend it on Memory Foam pillows.
@MummyBee81
Three hour beginners photography course, sounds really cool
Would buy the teeth whitening kit,pay a fortune In dentists for these
I would do the ghost walk around Leicester and scare myself silly. Then laugh it all off at the meal afterwards!
I have subscribed via RSS and google reader
I would spend it on a massage, facial, and mini pedicure plus mini manicure and eyebrow shape at The Whole Shebang.
I would spend it on the Choice of Two Treatments including Massage and Manicure Plus Welcome Refreshments for £22 at SpaBliss in Newcastle, I would buy 2 of these so that I could treat my daughter at the same time.
Well, I’d spend it on ‘Overnight Stay For Two With Cocktails, Dinner and Breakfast for £65 at the Dog and Partridge Country Inn’ because as you quite rightly put it, with Groupon you have no choice really but to treat yourself! I picked this particular deal as me and DH were due to head out this weekend for a ‘pre valentines, valentines meal’ but – as ever when you have children – illness of the little people meant we had to cancel. I love my kids but I was a little disappointed as we rarely get the chance to shirk responsibility for an evening and pretend we are 21 again. These things happen though, and I am learning that with children plans are often abandoned! Thanks for the grea competition and for the interesting blog – will be following this from now on 🙂
I’d use the voucher towards a two night stay at a posh hotel for me & my husband to have a mini break 🙂
Memory foam pillows £12 instead of £49.99 great offer or i would go for a day spa 🙂 xx
couples spa package 🙂
Three Course À La Carte Lunch For Two 🙂
I’d go for the Prescriptive Facial With Hot Stone Back Massage Plus Manicure or Pedicure for £22 with Flawless Luxe offered in Coventry. Bliss. And 70% off. http://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/coventry-and-warks
I’d spend it on a one night stay at Gomersal Park Hotel
Stay at the Dog and Partridge.
I’d use it for the Full Head Highlights Plus Cut and Conditioning Treatment for £22 at Salon Hair & Beauty (Up to 79% Off)in birmingham
i would go for the body wrap massage
I would spend it on the driving lessons for my daughter – then she would not treat my like her taxi service – even though she is 24!!!!
I would buy three hours of handyman services – getting my hubby to do anything is a nightmare!
I would spend it on something educational 🙂
Overnight Stay For Two With Cocktails, Dinner and Breakfast for £65 at the Dog and Partridge Country Inn (Up to 62% Off)
I would spend it on an overnight stay at the Old Mill Hotel & Restaurant in the Yorkshire Wolds for me and my hubby.
I’m from Wolverhampton so would get all of this:-
A tarot reading (£12), if it didnt predict any accidents I’d go on for an adventure climbing experince (£9), and then refuel lost energy by eating tapas (£16).
After all of this I’d have plenty of change so I’d also get a teeth whitening kit (£19) and pay the extra £6.
Thanks for the competition, I am following on twitter/like on facebook. Rebecca x
Three Course À La Carte Lunch For Two at Les Trois Garçons it might just encourage my hubby to take me to see a london show like he promised!
Six Course Tasting Menu
I would put it towards Overnight Stay For Two With Cocktails, Dinner and Breakfast for £65 at the Dog and Partridge Country Inn
http://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/birmingham/dog-and-partridge/3291235
If it has to be for an offer today I would spend it on https://www.groupon.co.uk/payment?dotdId=3284692, a Digital Photography Course. However, I would prefer to wait for a Scuba Diving Course which come up several times a year.
I’d spend it on this overnight break http://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/nottingham/dog-and-partridge/3297651
http://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/national-deal/electrics-warehouse/3294371?nlp=&CID=UK_CRM_1_0_0_43&a=1664
would love a new hoover like this!
@emmav6
i found a facial and OPI manicure plus 60 minute massage for only £29. this is something i would go for to pamper myself.
I’m signed up to Groupon in various areas so get tempting offers every day! Out of todays selection I’d probably choose the overnight stay for 2 with dinner, cocktails and breakfast at the Dog and Partridge Country Inn. It just seems like a lovely luxury treat. But they always have great deals on Spa’s, haircuts, hotels…it would be easy to spend the vouchers!!! Thanks for the competition.
Congratulations on your win! Your code should be with you soon! 🙂
Thankyou so much! That is a really lovely start to the day! I will have great fun choosing how to spend it! 😉 xxx
Subscribed to RSS
Tui Na Massage – would like to try something new.
LIKED SHARED WILL SIGN UP TO YOUR FEED ALSO
I WOULD LOVE TO SPEND THIS MONEY ON A NICE DAY OUT WITH MY FAMILY
subscribed via rss with my google account xx
a body wrap and massage 🙂 had a few things on groupon. Some good others not so :-/ but love the deals
The skiing trip to Andorra. Awesome 😀
i’d love the Beyond Teeth Whitening Treatment for £69 at The White House in Belfast
http://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/belfast/the-white-house/3291221
Driving Experience
A meal at The New Ellington and a pamper treat
I would go for the IPL sessions at Oxford Street
two tickets to see Bon Jovi at Ashton Gate Stadium for me and my best mate who loves him!
subscribed via good RRS
the garden fairy lights for sure
the driving lessons in nottingham 🙂
I subscribed to RRS feeds with yahoo account – kate_rakszawska@yahoo.com thanks for the comp
Yesterday I was very tempted to buy Life Balance and Financial Freedom Course for £29 with Creative Life Solutions (Surrey) but again I though, I have other things to spend money on… And you’re right, even though sites like groupon offer treats for low prices, but you still do need money to buy it, so always hesitate to do it if it is spending money just for my pleasure. Unless I have a won a voucher, then I could get spoiled.
Child (£9) or Adult (£14) Adventure Climbing Experience at The Adventure Ropes Course (Up to 63% Off) (Birmingham)
sign up to receive your Competitions RSS feed on Google+ and liked on facebook, tweeted (@debsjeav)
Boudoir Photo Shoot With Makeover and A4 Print – what a saucy little a valentines gift!
I’d get some bargainous fairy lights for the garden and perhaps a little more sensible considering the season – a double electric blanket!
Four Hours of Beginners’ Driving Tuition (Nottingham).
If I won the vouchers I’d buy the driving lessons for my sister :o)
DNA Food Intolerance and Allergy Test (£69). This Is something I’ve always fancied doing. I’m curious to find out what exactly bloats me out, gives me upset tummy etc.
Subscribed
Top Price ticket just £27 for Crazy for You at the Novello theatre
My favourite is Six Course Tasting Menu: starter, fish course, main course, dessert, coffee and petit fours
I’d go for the 14 piece Prestige Knife set
Signed up to your Competitions Only RSS Feed.
I’d choose the Two Courses of British Fare With Glass of Bubbly at Hilton London Hyde Park
Congratulations on your win! Your code should be with you soon!
I also signed up to recieve the RSS feed on glynnapb@gmail.com
I would buy one wollen overcoat: http://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/london/clifford-james/3289488
And Two courses of British far, for four: http://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/london/hilton-london-hyde-park/3285468
I’d totally treat my hubby to this stunt driving experience. Fun times!
http://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/nottingham/stunt-drive-uk/3290552
Have liked on facebook-would love 2 days in the Wye Valley-looks fantastic and great value for money
I would use it on one of the getaways as we have recenty had a baby and it would be nice to get away for a little break. Thanks 🙂
Already liked on Facebook and Twitter @cazzzie987
Banksy Panoramic Triple Canvas Print for £49 from CanvasTown.com (65% Off)
I would have a romantic break with my beau at Gomersal Park Hotel in Manchester which would also handily place me close to lots of lovely shops – bonus!
Mattress Topper for £49
I’d go for the Mattress Topper for £49, could do with a good nights sleep!
I’ve also signed up to your Competitions Only RSS Feed.
Thanks! x
I’d buy 2 luxury seats at my local cinema for £8.
It’s a deal I’ve bought before and it was great!
http://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/edinburgh/dominion-cinema/3298693
I signed up for the Competitions feed on Google reader 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!
I’d definitely go for the double decker bus tour of london with Thames cruise. Sounds so romantic!
The gliding session looks great on today’s Groupon deal, I would love to go with my boyfriend and surprise him (lets hope he likes gliders!!)
Have subscribed to your competitions only RSS feed too 🙂
Very tempting offer today in Bradford: Spa Day Plus Choice of Treatment For One (£39) or Two (£69) at Waterfall Spa (Up to 74% Off). Sounds fab!
Thank you for a lovely competition.
A pamper package for me :-)@CT1210
I would love todays York Groupon – Two Courses of Gastro Pub Fare For Two (£16) or Four (£30) at Judson’s Wine Bar & Dining (Up to 64% Off)
supercar driving experience for me!
there’s boot camp on offer today, or a massage… now which one would I choose?
Signed up for the comps feed too 🙂
I’d get this – http://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/london-special/thai-river/3145125
Well, to be honest, I already got it yesterday but still 😉 Addicted to Groupon!
signed up for the emails
i would choose a overnight stay
I’d pick the one night stay with free breakfast! 😀
Not very girly of me but I would go for the tank driving experience today.
signed up for your rss comp feed.
I’d wait for a hairdressing deal to come up or quite fancy the Vax cleaner they’ve got on today!
I would go for a segway experience it looks fab!
Overnight Country Break For Two With Bubbly and Breakfast On Choice of Days for £35 at The Royal Arms -that’s up to 69% off!
What a treat. It’s great to explore and a bargain break is lovely to share.
Following on Twitter @pjo77
I have subbed to your RSS
@BoostieBoo
I would go for the manicure and facial 🙂
Following you on Twitter – @BoostieBoo
There’s a night in a hotel for York with a bottle of wine and breakfast for £49 – that sounds good to me!
Tweeted comp as @Bobbity666
Liked Groupon on FB as Louise Strachan @Bobbity666
Would love a manicure or a spa day – a bit of ‘me ‘ time @Bobbity666
My friend gave me a Groupon for a 3 hour beauty salon massage/facial/manicure experience, it was lovely and I would definitely do something similar!
I am signed up to receive your standard RSS. Thank you!
I would love a manicure/pedicure or the full spa experience!
I would use it towards a spa day for me and my hubby for valentines day 😀
have liked on fb and recieve your competition feeds 😀
I think I’d probably treat OH to a Tank Experience. He loves this sort of thing and it would be a fab present for his birthday which is in a few weeks. @RedRoseMummy
Already signed up to your RSS feed
@littleboo_21
There is a lovely George Foreman grill on offer today, not exciting I know but great for healthy eating
@littleboo_21
Oooo, how could I resist – like you luxuries for me are on the back burner. You have some lovely treats lined up – good for you!
I’ve just been having a nose and I’d be tempted by the Tui Na massage – I’ve seen those advertised before and they sound awesome. My husband once tried to learn to do it for me, but ya know, bless him – it wasn’t really that good LOL!
There are some amazing spa experiences too. Hmmmm, so much choice – thanks for running the competition, I know they take time and energy to organise so I appreciate it
The Marco Pierre White deal they have at the moment looks great (if only I could drink alcohol & eat rare steak – I’m pregnant), second choice would be a lovely massage
I’m already signed up to your standard RSS feed
There are so many to choose from! I’ve been wanting a carpet cleaner for a while now, but I think if I won, I would treat myself–either a massage for me or dinner for hubby and me!
sign up to receive your Competitions RSS feed and liked on facebook
i would go for this overnight stay with champagne, strawberries and afternoon tea. It would be a great treat for me and my husband!
http://www.groupon.co.uk/deals/dundee/acarsaid-hotel/2988518