Preparing for winter IV

Fruball

Confuzzled wrote: »

don't suppose this is online by any chance? if so would you mind terribly sharig the link please?

Sadly not. It was in a hall. It was stuff that the supermarkets had given up on. There was a lot of rubbish there but some real gems too. I think the proceeds went to charity.

PRINCESSX87

Morning all.

I have been spending my week preparing my list for winter prep. I’m at a complete stand still at the moment. I’ve got half a list. I’m pretty sure there is loads I’ve forgotten - I’m wondering if there is a list, post, thread for guidance on prep already on here?

So far I’ve got:-

Buy candles for winter supply, Used for lighting & heat - Done
Search CS for thicker curtains for bedroom.
Search CS for candle holders
More food items added for stoke pile
Check OH winter work clothes and repair / replace what’s needed.
Check normal clothing for replacements / repairs if needed.
Wash winter duvets - Done
Stock up on cold / flu medications.
Stock up on Electric meter.
Pet supplies needed.
Buy a gas bottle for gas heater. (Used for early mornings or emergencies only)

Can anyone see something I’m missing? Any help would be fab!!

rosieben

IT might help to have a look at Rainy-Days excellent check list in post # 4033 on the previous thread

Cheapskate

Thanks, rosieben, I've been looking for that list for ages!

Our CS still have all summer stuff in, most of them told me that they don't put out cold weather things until the schools go back, so will be back then.

We've plenty of fleecy blankets and HWB, but need new pjs, slippers, etc. Like fuddle, I need to concentrate on food stores, including things like water, dried milk, bread flour, yeast, etc., in case we're stuck in due to the weather. DH and I need a new quilt, but there's a factory shop near us that sells really good quality products at fantastic prices.

A xo

FairyPrincessk

We're sitting down to make our food stores list this evening. I've mostly finished with curtains, just need to work out a way to hang the ones in the DR. The window is quite odd. We've also agreed to give the house a very deep clean in the next few weeks, get everything out of the way so it is cosy--or at least odd jobs are done until we get a breather at half term. Only big project still not scheduled is a day washing all of the jumpers/woolens that need hand washing. Waiting for some cooperative weather. The coats have been done.

Princess, if you have a car, think about things like an ice scraper, a blanket, bottled water etc. to go in the boot. It might also be nice if you have any extra blankets to get them washed and on the back of the sofa/chairs for chilly evenings--can save you putting the heating on. I know things are tight for you, but if you have any spare bits and bobs of food, now is the time to do some batch or freezer cooking with it, or to get any veg stored away for the winter.

If you have old jam jars you can usually use those for candle holders.

And--a message to all--now is a good time to test any smoke alarms and check to make sure any CO2 alarms are working--before you have any gas fires etc. on.

hollieinbloom

Afternoon everyone! Been sat trying to figure out my list and what I can do now whilst it's not too chilly. Going to spread it out over a few weeks and have roped my OH into helping too when I told him we would save money on the heating bill he was definitely up for it

Sewing list:
1.Line DD's curtains with fleece as her room is single glazed. (We are renting and can't change them ourselves otherwise we would!)
2.Make a curtain for the front door, line curtains in living room and bedroom.
3.Sew up all holey socks and sort through the odd socks!
4.Repair boots with soles bought from Ebay (glue on) and insert some thermal insoles 99p shop.
5.Made DD some fleece pyjama bottoms and find a fleece hoodie/jumper for her to wear to bed on colder nights.
6.Sort through winter clothes, mend what needs mending and wash all ready.

To buy list:
1.Buy dressing gown for OH and DD (mine just needs a good clean and sewing up where needed).
2.Source some thermal socks and leg warmers for me and DD.
3.New slippers for me and DD.
4.Order DD a thicker quilt as she only has a summer one.
5.Stock up on candles for emergencies and also for living room. I lit about 8 last winter each day and it warmed the house up well. Each 8 lasted about a week or more. Found tea lights worked well in holders and made the room feel nicer.
6.Buy bigger slow cooker for winter warming dinners.
7.Coats for everyone! Been trying to get by on a rain mack for the last 2 years and i've frozen my bum off!.
8.New scarf, gloves and hat for DD, New gloves for me and OH.
9.Stock up on medicines (will do this gradually from Home bargains).
10.Stock up on UHT milk, teabags, coffee, sugar(and sweeteners) and some cereals.
11.Find some nice flannel sheets for our bed and DD's bed.
12.Buy hot drink items when on offer. (hot chocs, malt drinks etc which are perfect for warming us up).
13.UMBRELLAS!! this is the most important thing. I had a fight with mine last winter and it ended up in the street bin as it broke into pieces.

Have lots more to do but that's all I can think of for now! Got to make sure I stick to this. Off out now to town to look round the charity shops for some fleece blankets and batteries. We have a few torches lying around that need gathering up. Also need some hot water bottle covers! I used them without last year to warm up DD's bed before she got in but after a few mins it was cold again so need to keep them in the bed with her! probably cheaper to buy the whole thing isn't it rather than just the cover! xx

FairyPrincessk

Hollieinbloom, if you can sew you can make simple HW bottle covers out of old jumpers. It helps if it is a rather large jumper so if you don't have any of those, check the CS. You can just cut a long rectangle, about as wide as the HW bottle and 2-3 times as long. Fold over with an overlap and sew up the sides. Then it is sort of like a pillow cover. HTH

the_cake

Just a word for dehumidifiers - they really help, as a room which is a bit damp as well as cold feels so much worse than a room which is just cold. Makes a huge difference .... could be worth keeping an eye on the bay of E; I was so lucky last winter, got one for £30, and I love it. They are very heavy, so you will need to be able to go and collect it from the buyer. Oh, and my other winter fave - snuggly bedsocks! I fall asleep almost instantly if my feet are nice and warm.

Uniscots97

For anyone looking for dressing gowns, slippers etc try Home Bargains. They have lots at the moment for adults and kids yet come winter they never have any. If you don't have one near try your local market, a lot of local traders that used to have shops now have stalls and these can be good value as long as you know you're prices.

coolcats

I have a 3 level house, the third level doesn't get used much, but the stairs to it are open soI'm thinking I need to put something at the bottom of the stairs to keep the warm air on the second level, what does everyone suggest?

There is a door to a roof room which is the third level with a rad in that room, but the room won't be used much, mainly kids toys.