What would you invest £230 of homeware vouchers in?

oldhaggis

Congratulations! Wishing you continued happiness.


What a lovely and generous gift to receive. I would invest in Le Creuset cast iron casserole dishes. I have a big oval one (about 29/30cm) which I bought in 1977 and is still going strong. Good for pot roasting meat/chicken or casseroles and I also have a smaller one which I use for soups or smaller roasts/casseroles. Would advise you go and look at them in the flesh and decide what best suits your needs as it's very difficult to visualise.


Re: Saucepans. My MIL used to own a set of Le Creuset sauce pans but found them too heavy to handle when full and so did I. I have a set of Circulon saucepans which I've had for 20 years and they are still in very good condition.

[Deleted User]

I'd buy a good quality woollen blanket to top up the duvet on really cold days and a Pressure Cooker which will save not only time but money in the kitchen as you can use the cheaper cuts of meat to make very nice meals in them.

Maitane

For my two cents, I'd vote for good knives and good pans as well.
I have a Le Creuset that my mother in law bought me but it's just so heavy that I'd recommend a thinner material.

Also, as you have a small kitchen, think about some of the ranges that do space saving options like Joseph Joseph for example. Really handy for small spaces and good quality stuff that should last you.

jackyann

I agree with the above - very sensible advice.
But I would add: if you enjoy good food & cooking, consider a vacuum packer. I use it to pack up chops, steak & fish for the freezer (no freezer burn). Cheese keeps in the fridge for months, cooked meats for weeks, and vegetables for weeks (helps with the courgette glut!)
I m not talking about the "professional quality" or "sous vide" machines, but the sort that cost £40-50 (mine has lasted years!) but I don't know if John Lewis have them.

calicocat

I second third and forth a Slow Cooker, worth their weight in gold, i've had mine for years and years and it's still going strong, well worth the investment.

Also good knives, and as others have said, good linen is SO worth it as it feels so lovely, and also lasts.


Oh, and congratulations!!

Valli

as has been said - knives and pans.

I have prestige copper bottomed stainless steel pans - 30 years old, and they still do the job.

drusilla

Mmmmmm! I am going to say choose something nice...something that makes you feel good every time you look at it.

For me this would be nice towels in the bathroom. All mine at the mo are threadbare, different colours and stained with hair dye.

I might also choose one room that is decorated and find frivolous things to make it lovely.:o

Of course, the pans and knives are a great idea but I don't really like cooking. My pans have lasted for 25 years so far and still look brand new. They do get used - my other half does the cooking.

Most people build stuff up over time, buying the really good quality things as they go along (or when the kids have stopped smashing everything).

However you do it, enjoy spending your vouchers.

System

Firstly congratulations on your marriage _party_ !

My suggestions would be:

Good quality knives and a decent knife sharpener to help look after them
Decent saucepans - I like prestige which are what I would call mid-priced
Egyptian cotton bath towels and bed linen - this should last you years but maybe stick to normal colours :rotfl:

Then I would say get yourself your clothes horse you want, but try and get a strong one that can hold quite a lot of weight, ensure you know what the weight is and take care of it by not overloading it.

I would also suggesting buying one or two items that you just have to have because they're a little frivolous and look amazing. I realise that might go against the MSE ethos but we have lots of beautiful gifts from our wedding that we love and when I look at them, even if some of them were possibly super cheap, I just remember what a wonderful day we had!

Best of luck to you and what a kind gift!

BritishBibliophile

I echo the comments about getting some good quality pots and pans, they should last you for years so in the long-run you'll save more than you originally spent.

Could also look around for a few nice decorative bits like some picture frames or a nice rug, something to make home more homely

smeeth

John Lewis vouchers can be used in Waitrose, so I'd use it on food.