Preparing for Winter

newlywed

cady wrote: »

I think its a good idea to see what you have got before you buy things as thats not very MS but its brill to share tips and ideas a lot of people have an emergancy box they stock up and its usually cheaper to do this in summer when things are cheap as for the people who are not putting the heating on remember not to go overboard and get too cold!!!

For me, I lived with my parents until a couple of years ago so whereas I used to just as me mum for blankets, I know have to think about them and budget for them - last winter I left it too late and we were cold and I couldn't find any nice blankets in the shops for the budget I had. This year I'm planning ahead and buying co-ordinating ones for the bedrooms and lounge

We only have one blanket at the moment and that's covering the sofa. We don't have much spare bedding at all. We don't have any hot water bottles and things either.

If I had these things, I would certainly use what we have. As we don't have most of these things and I only think about them when I'm frozen - this thread is helping me to plan so that we do actually have things in the house we could use.


Although zarazara's comment does remind me.... since me and my sister moved out, mum might have some spare blankets I could scrounge (although I think they were mostly all pink )

larmy16

Cady and Newlywed have you thought about asking for some stuff on your local freecycle group?? Cady would bubble wrap help with your box thingy?? You could ask for some on FC and blankets, etc.

Pooky

Well I've made a start, this is quite a warm house (well a lot warmer than our previous detached bungalow) but being at home during the day (as I don't work), I want to make sure that I'm not so tempted to just turn the heating on for an extra hour like I was last year.....

So my list to do/have done....

Slippers for everyone - just need to find some that DH likes (he's sooo fussy)
Fluffy socks for DD's for when they're lounging about.
New pj's (2 pairs each for kids but saving them for xmas - their old ones will just about have given up the ghost by then)
All in one fleecy suits for all - sad I know but they are sooooo warm, DH and I have one each from about 5 years ago but DD's need new ones.
Lap quilts - made 4 last year from a kingsize 15 tog duvet - they are so cosy warm and lovely to sit and snuggle into - made 4 more yesterday from a 4.5 tog duvet to use in the chilly evening.
Fleecy throws - I bought 2 last year in primark - ultra soft and fluffy - just need 2 more (£4 each).
Have extra rugs in the loft - will bring them down nearer the time to cover more of the laminate in the living room to make it cosier.
Draught exluders - made sausage dog ones last year - need 2 more for this year.
Some sort of draught excluder for the front door - no room for a curtain but the wind whistles through the letterbox and keyholes......might try the magnet/fabric trick.
Candles - only have tealights at the moment so need to get a box of larger ones, we have wind up torches/radio so I know we'll cope if need be.

I'm sure more things will come to me as I read on.

elona

Newlywed

You can make rice bags that can be warmed in the microwave instead of hot water bottles.

The pink blankets could be dyed (purple, blue or whatever suits your scheme).

Pooky

How do you make lap quilts?

nickynoo08

Hi everyone i'm loving this thread.
I live in a victorian terrace so as you can imagine it can get really really cold in the winter, mind you we're starting to feel it now! I've spent the last few days rummaging round my loft and under stairs cupboard digging out all our fleece blankets and throws. Also came across a huge bag of tea lights which always come in handy. Needed to get some lining for my little boys bedroom window but was gonna cost me a fortune as the window is so big so ended up using an old duvet cover cut in half. Not the best at sewing but they look ok and they havent fallen down. Yet!

Pooky - can i just ask where you get your fleecy all in ones from. I want a couple for my little one and one or two for me. I've seen some on ebay but they seem expensive.

Still got a few things to get like slippers and fleecy socks and my xmas store cupboard is slowly filling up too. Keep the ideas coming peeps

pjs_3

Hello, need to get some draught excluders ready for winter but I do not have a sewing machine. Has anyone seen any cheap draught excluders anywhere? I ordered one from ebay but it is £7.95 so will be expensive to buy many more from there.

slm6002

I have a toddler who has just become dry at night time. We currently have a plastic cover on her matteress for those little accidents. Would a duvet under the plastic sheet make it any warmer for her? I dont really want to be washing and drying duvets in the winter if i can avoid it.

Also i would be interested in knowing where i can find an all in one fleece for adults

betterlife

i found if they wet the bed it rolls every where on the plastic sheet, making the top sheet wet. if you put a towel onto of the plastic sheet before you put top sheet on it will keep the wet patch in one place. x

slm6002

Thanks i though it was her riggling rather than the sheet. she moves such a lot in her sleep

pigpen

sammy_kaye18 wrote: »

ALSO A QUESTION!
I want to put a curtain on my front door - i was hopign i can put one on a net curtain pole as above the door has alot fo damp so i think a portiere would jsut fall off eventually - my only problem is i have an unneutered jack russell who marks his territory and i dont want him widdlign up my curtain. I was thinking of getting a regular curtain and putting magnets in the bottom hem so it sticks to the door. So it would attach to the door under the letterbox and keep that draught out but would provide a bit of insulation against the cold with the curtain over the window. What do you think???

My mother has an inch bit of dowel across the top of her door and a curtain wire threaded through the bottom so it doesn't blow about in the breeze through the letterbox!!

Have you considered adding a flap to the inside of the letterbox if it is draughty? the letters will lift it and it will close and the letters plop through.