The opinions listed below are mine and no one else's, determined through trial and error during 15 years of quilting.

Supreme Slider - great for FMQ, but don't get one if you don't FMQ. If you do get one, get the biggest size they have. Or, as suggested by others, check out the kitchen supply sites and get teflon oven liners.
Polly Paper - I haven't used this, as I have a roll of freezer paper I purchased 10 years ago. If the freezer paper curls, cut off what you need and put weights on it to flatten it out.
Sew Steady Quilter's Wish Table - also great for FMQ, but for regular piecing isn't really necessary. Check out YouTube for a tutorial on making a comparable surface for FMQ.
Wrappable Light - I bought one and then found I didn't have anything to wrap it around, so it went into my guild donation box.
Karen Kay Buckley's Perfect Pins - I LOVE these. They are so fine and sharp, but the tiny heads make them hard to pick up. Also, they are VERY easy to bend.
Porta-Trace Light Box - if you are doing applique, a light box is an essential, but you can make your own for much less -- if you have a dining table with leaves, remove a leaf and place a piece of glass or plexiglass in the space and put a lamp under the table. Or get a clear or opaque plastic box, turn it upside down and put a lamp inside it (I use 4 LED flashlights that lay flat). If the box has bumps on the bottom, turn it right side up, place a piece of glass or plexiglass on top and the lights inside it. For a portable light box, I bought one of those 12x12x2 storage boxes with the handle, used double stick foam tape to take the lights on the bottom. That way, I can also carry tape, pencils, etc.
Goddess Sheet (to protect surfaces from fusibles) - parchment paper will do the same thing or there are other sheets that cost less.
Thangles - great for making HSTs. I have a package in every size from 3/4" (for minis) to 4" finished. However, there are lots of different templates, including Debbie Tucker, Quilt In A Day and June Tailor, for making HSTs. Or you can use the Triangulations, as someone suggested, or print them free.
Mighty Bright Sewing Machine Light - There are less expensive options out there, including LED strips that are secured to the bottom of the harp of the machine.

Some things that I think are absolutely necessary --

Serrated blade scissors. There are many brands, including Karen Kay Buckley Perfect Scissors (I have 2 pair of each size), Kai (I have 2 of the applique scissors), Havel and Gingher. The serrated blade pulls the fabric into the teeth, rather than pushing the fabric away the way smooth blades do. Get a pair in every size.

Karen Kay Buckely Perfect Circles (both sizes), Perfect Ovals and Perfect Stems if you do applique.

Clover seam ripper -- First choice is the one with the white handle; second choice is the one with the flat brown handle. To me, they have the finest, sharpest point for getting under threads. With all the other seam rippers I've used, the point was too thick and not sharp.

Spray starch -- make your own, Best Press, StaFlo. Spray starch is a must.

Good rotary cutters in all sizes -- 60, 45, 28 and 18. Each has its purpose.

June Tailor Shape Cut - if you don't have an Accuquilt Go and do a lot of strip and subcutting, this is the one thing you should have.

Turn the box right side up and place a piece of plexiglass over the opening with the lights inside.

One word of advice, forget the thangles. Purchase a CD called Triangulations, it costs about $30 and has every possible size for HST, Flying Geese, and something else. You print out the size you want (and I only use regular paper) and sew on the lines, cut, PERFECT EVERY TIME. Same thing as thangles but so worth the investment. Something you will probably use forever.

There are now squabbles which you iron directly on the fabric and are reusable several times and no paper to tear off.

First figure out what you "need' versus what you "want". Then take it a step at a time from project to project.

I have not bought a lot of the extra things you have talked about from them but I buy a lot of fabric from them and have loved every piece I have got from them.

Before deciding on scissors...check out the Clover Bordeaux! I was a huge Karen Buckley fan, also have Kai scissors...until I found these scissors....like cutting through butter. I was so amazed that Clover made them....not that Clover is bad in anyway....I was hesitant due to the price of a Clover item. They are pricey, but worth every penny. I found mine at Tuesday Morning one day....I bought all that they had and gave them as Christmas gifts....to my special family members and quilting buddy.

Well, you asked for opinions, and you're gonna get a pile of 'em around here!

The Supreme Slider does nothing for me. I find it easier to polish my machine's extension bed with Turtle Wax, which is what I was taught in a free-motion class.

I also have the Sewing Mates adjustable extension bed - worth every penny, especially if you have a few different machines.

The Goddess sheet works very well, as do the KK Buckley scissors (which I own in every available size!).

I just skimmed through the above but didn't see a mention of Wonder Clips. Those things have changed my sewing life! :)

As you begin to collect tools, you can look for the ones that you can use for many projects first, then when you have all those that you will use, start collecting the specialty tools that call to you. : )
i have a few specialty tools that I bought only when I was starting a project that would use them. I also come here to see what other uses others have found for each specialty tool. My Dresden ruler is an example, I wanted to buy one, but what size would be most useful? I went for the one that will make a 50" Dresden because I N more likely to make a larger Dresden as a center pice for the quilt, and I can still make smaller ones with the same tool. Good luck and happy hunting?

*FYI - the best advice I have found here was Elmer's glue! For my quilting it is a miracle!

Supreme slider is vasty overpriced. I buy the silicone sheet oven protectors for <$10 & cut to fit, works perfect for fmq. I bought the wrappable light & could never get it to stick in the right place, but love the LED stick ons & they stay in place. Don't know what Polly Paper is but use scads of freezer & parchment paper. Thangles are nice but you can print them off the internet. You can tie up lots of money in notions that you can use to buy more fabric. Just saying.

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I find it easier to polish my machine's extension bed with Turtle Wax, which is what I was taught in a free-motion class.

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I was told by several machine techs wax was was not for plastic or acrylic. It will deteriorate it over time causing cracks.

The Sew Steady table is great, I used one for many years until I bought a Horn quilter's cabinet.
The Supreme Slider is a big help with quilting. I use a Jansjo LED lamp for more lighting with my machines.
Here's the Canadian IKEA website http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/20169658/
Sharon in Texas,USA

Before the advent of cardboard, they used whatever shapes existed in their world, such as bricks, dishes, cans, etc.

I won't add another opinion about the items on your list, but I will reiterate: Before you purchase any of these, check other sources for better prices. I love looking at the Keepsake catalog when it comes, but they are rather on the pricey side, IMHO.

I don't just want a light box. I need one; Right Now, Desperately

Thank you all for the input.
Seems like the consensus is...a lot of gadgets are not necessary.
I also noted that some love a certain gadget....Slider and Table especially......while others don't think much of them.
Looks like the Kay Buckley scissors are a must-have...didn't take notice of them in the catalog.
I am putting the table on Santa's list. I am trying the kitchen Teflon sheets and I am looking for cheaper things online.
Not sure what I'll buy from Keepsake Quilting. I will see if they have the scissors and maybe I'll try for something else.
I was so excited about all the doodads but glad I asked for info. You kept me from spending a big chunk of money. Now, as someone mentioned, I can buy fabric with $$$ saved.
You are the best.
Live long and prosper.

The thing about the extension table is that it is better than sewing on just a free-arm; however, it's not as good as having a large flat surface for quilting.

As I mentioned, I am one who does not care for the Kay Buckley scissors. I hate that the scissors part is so small when the hand grips are so big. Makes it not good for cutting fabric (at least, for me). For cutting threads, I like my small Fiskars.

Be sure to compare prices online too; for example, I can sometimes find something for less on Amazon.

I've been quilting a long time without any of the things you mention except Thangles and they were a waste of money for me. I love gadgets, but none of the ones you listed appeal to me. Maybe if I saw them.....froggyintexas