What have been your best presents or purchases over the last two years?

[Imissmoominmama]

Over lockdown, my priorities changed a bit. I realised the benefit of not exhausting myself in the name of work. I craved adventure, and peace of mind over having stuff. That said, I was just pondering on what I wouldn’t want to do without.

My favourite presents over the last two years have been my rescue dog, and the hanging egg chair that I’m currently in, with him on my knee. Both bring me joy.

My favourite purchase was a full face snorkel. I have loved swimming in lakes and rivers over the last couple of years, especially when we were only allowed one lot of exercise a day. I’d walk to a secluded spot on the river and swim around looking at the fish. As we were able to venture further, I’ve taken it everywhere I’ve been camping.

I’m no longer really interested in buying stuff that’s not practical, but these are three things I wouldn’t want to be without now.

What physical thing has enhanced your life since lockdown?

Kitten - now cat - to keep my rescue company in lockdown.
Britta tap filter (very hard water area)
Audible.

AirPods

game changer.

I’ve had years of wireless headphones, some have been pretty decent and some absolute rubbish. But none have come close to how good my pods are. Gym, running, dog walking, listening to podcasts in bed, playing music whilst I shop. Easy to use, solid and reliable, quick to charge and last a decent while.

I know some people don’t like Apple but honestly there is no going back for me.

If you know, you know

oh and also an electric pump for things like paddling pools and large inflatables and a small electric balloon pump. Both essentials with young children!

Oh and YouTube premium.

my life is significantly improved by never hAving to deal with adverts on YT.

Please share this amazing ness!

These are the ones I got, they've got little sticky bits in the heels. Unlike a pp, I find if they are too small they roll down and I'm at the top end of women's sizes usually, so these have worked a treat.

One of those v pillows that you see advertised in those supplements which seem aimed at old people. Reading in bed is so much more comfortable. I love it.

The tv in the new bathroom and my roomba

My house. Put my old house on the market on a whim, bought this house which wasn’t what I was looking for in an area o hadn’t considered without discussing it with anyone and not letting anyone see it until I exchanged.

i have never been so happy or settled in my life and I wasn’t even unhappy in my old house, I rather liked it.

Also stopped prioritizing work over everything, had a baby, dropped to part time and started a little side hustle to make my money up to my full time wage. All just from changing my attitude from ‘I need to work full time’. I didn’t, I just needed my ‘bottom line’ amount of money to pay the bills that can be generated a whole number of ways! Anyway, back to the actual question..

My mum bought us a running pram for my baby for Christmas (baby jogger summit) and I’ve used it pretty much everyday su for either walking or running. When he was really little I felt so limited that I couldn’t run anymore unless I went though the lengthy process of messaging to arrange a babysitter, who could most likely only do later in the day when the notion to go a run had already worn off. Now I’m training for a marathon and able to do almost all my training runs (still miss the odd one due to a baby related reason)!

Another expensive but amazing running purchase were the kipchoge trainers. I’m by no means super fast but the trainers (Nike vaporfly) do make such a difference to my parkrun time and I only wear them on special occasions to get a good time 😅 I’m sure it’s partly a mental thing but it does feel like a treat when I get to wear them.

Apple Watch and AirPods which I bought in June 2020. Love them and both are used every day.

DH bought a Sage coffee machine which was fab until it conked out a week after the warranty was up. Bloody typical.

Cordless Dyson. Dreamy.

My air fryer. Haven't used my oven or grill since I've had it.

My electric throw. Absolutely love this in the winter evenings as I'm not a fan of having the heating on.

My expensive sheepskin slippers. The comfiest things I've ever had on my feet.

Nintendo Switch and Animal Crossing game. So relaxing and calming. It's my happy place.

Nike Superrep Groove trainers for Zumba cardio dance classes. They're leopard print and bouncy and make me smile when I put them on. Bought them at the start of lockdown to motivate myself to do some PE in the garage, and now, after 2 years of 3x weekly classes, they're starting to fall apart... and Nike have discontinued them.

A wet detangler hairbrush. It's been life changing for me (I have get frizzy hair that are hard to comb through after a wash)

Stand up paddle board. Absolutely love it even though I’m terrified of sharks :)

Purchases: a little coffee machine and a lovely outdoor armchair. I sit on my balcony most mornings and watch the world go by for a bit with a drink.

Present: so simple but my dad bought me a phone holder for my car and it's made driving so much less stressful – especially as I do a lot of solo travelling to new places :)

I bought my beautiful ragdoll during the first lockdown.

I love my Ninja multicooker and have only used the oven to cook pizza since I got it. I'm actually thinking about buying a second one so I can make two things at once.

An airfryer. Revolutionised mealtimes

My favourite present was my AirPods which get used daily. Thanks DH 💕

Favourite purchase is our SuperKing sized bed 💤 🥱

We went roughly halves with dd and SiL, but without a doubt the mini swimming pool with all the extras, for Gdcs during first lockdown, so they wouldn’t lose water confidence when all the pools were closed. 3rd summer now, it’s been brilliant.

My Oodie - it meant we barely had the heating on all winter. Worth every penny!

Eufy robot vac. It's so fun to watch it scurrying around, it's like having a pet. And makes vacuuming fun!

Managed to get my 12yo a Playmobil toy second hand with box and looking brand new for £25. It costs £90 new.

My child was delighted and said that they'd been asking for it for 5 years. I've always thought that it was a waste of money but bought it this year as they keep asking for it! Played with it straight away this morning.