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Original poster

Unexpectedly brilliant purchases

520 replies

Parata · 16/07/2025 19:49

Last year there was a thread where people were recommending purchases they made or gifts they got that were unexpectedly brilliant. I got sleep headphones based off that thread for my birthday, and they have honestly been amazing - have helped me sleep better as I no longer turn to my phone and doom scroll when I wake up, but just put on a podcast or a meditation session and drift off to sleep. (Also got an acupressure mat that has been much less useful).

As my birthday and that of my kids, and as well Christmas approaches, I was hoping it is time to make a new similar thread maybe we could all find the next thing that changes our lives.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
24
Charabanc · 20/07/2025 19:11

BurntBroccoli · 20/07/2025 19:02

Are they better than old toothbrushes?

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Yes, much. They are longer and thinner. And slightly angled. And much stiffer than a toothbrush.

Really easy to do the sealant between the basin and the tiles, round the bottom of the tap, the bit between the drain and the basin, down the plughole, etc etc.

Going to have a go on my sink next! Happy days.

Charabanc · 20/07/2025 19:12

Kat70 · 20/07/2025 18:59

You take a garlic clove, don’t even need to peel the outer layer. Slightly wet the plate and swirl away! I saw a man demonstrating at a Stratford market. Bought 2 immediately. I love it.

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Sorry, being thick, I still don't understand. What do you "swirl" the cloves with?

BridgetRandomfuck · 20/07/2025 19:14

I bought this off the back of a previous MN thread on a similar subject - a cardboard knife. We get so many online deliveries that come in huge boxes, this bad boy zips through them like butter and I can cut them up small enough to easily fit in the recycling bin.

CANARY Corrugated Cardboard Cutter Handsaw Non-Stick Coating Blade [Dan Chan], Safety Box Cutter Package Opener Tool, Made in Japan, Yellow (DC-190F-1) https://amzn.eu/d/cPBVJ0P

DuckCootLoon · 20/07/2025 19:14

Geraldina · 20/07/2025 15:57

A metal version of a socktopus/clippy thing you hang socks and pants on to dry.

The plastic ones are useful but the clips break or the struts snap, and they are fairly bulky to store. The metal one just... works, and if you stand it on its side it almost disappears to nothing to store.

Where is yours from? I got really good sturdy ones from Muji about 10 years ago, but they don't do them anymore. I have tried a few others but they're so flimsy.

Tulipvase · 20/07/2025 19:14

Kat70 · 20/07/2025 18:59

You take a garlic clove, don’t even need to peel the outer layer. Slightly wet the plate and swirl away! I saw a man demonstrating at a Stratford market. Bought 2 immediately. I love it.

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Do you run the risk of skinning yourself along with the garlic?

Newmumburnout · 20/07/2025 19:16

Wuka period pants and beeswax food coverings. Both amazing.

Original poster
Parata · 20/07/2025 19:19

Cuwins · 20/07/2025 17:27

Do you mean that you can hear the noises around you still? I have thought about these to help me sleep but I’m concerned about not hearing the baby monitor

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@Cuwins : I can still hear when my child wakes up and is moving about in his room even if I have them on (quite easily I would say) and this is without the help of a baby alarm.

OP posts:
Original poster
Parata · 20/07/2025 19:19

Cuwins · 20/07/2025 17:27

Do you mean that you can hear the noises around you still? I have thought about these to help me sleep but I’m concerned about not hearing the baby monitor

Show quote history

@Cuwins : I can still hear when my child wakes up and is moving about in his room even if I have them on (quite easily I would say) and this is without the help of a baby alarm.

OP posts:
Sunshineismyfavourite · 20/07/2025 19:19

Two lovely single duvets for DH and I on our king bed rather than one king duvet.

We went on road trip through Germany last year and every hotel and Air bnb we stayed in had separate duvets on the double beds. OMG game changer!

Kat70 · 20/07/2025 19:19

Charabanc · 20/07/2025 19:12

Sorry, being thick, I still don't understand. What do you "swirl" the cloves with?

Show quote history

Your hand 😀 You just swirl the clove around the plate and the little teeth grate it down to a mush. The little brush comes with it so you can brush the garlic into your food. Honestly, I don’t have shares in the company. 😀 It is the best thing ever.

Soonenough · 20/07/2025 19:22

I bought the sleep headphones on the recommendation here. Brillant .

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 20/07/2025 19:22

Useyourfork · 20/07/2025 12:20

Turkish beach towel long poncho, takes a fraction of space in the suitcase than a regular towel. The poncho style means I can wear it and change under it too.
Over shoe grippers for walking when it’s icy.
Prescription swimming goggles.
Tick tool.

Yes!!

To all of the above!
All excellent.

Amaura · 20/07/2025 19:24

Any recommendations for a weight blanket people have fallen in love with?

Schoolrefusa · 20/07/2025 19:24

godmum56 · 20/07/2025 18:22

the serrated ones with the rounded end are amazing. I use them in the kitchen but also for cutting up heavy cardboard for recycling and also for cutting upholstery foam. They are a bitch on fingers though!

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I completely agree there are amazing . A friend gave me one years ago and we all just love how good it is . I even enjoy cutting onions now!

ReadingTime · 20/07/2025 19:27

wibdib · 20/07/2025 18:17

I bought these at Christmas, having asked on the Christmas threads for a recommendation of a good little sharp knife, a bread knife and a carving knife.
They are super sharp and I love them for that reason -however, I don’t know if it’s just mine or a general thing, they do not cut straight down when I compare them with my other little sharp knives, they kind of cut down at an angle instead - so cucumber for example instead of getting a town of circular discs, you end up with a row of increasingly angled non-circular discs! Or if I’m trying to cut straight down through an apple, it invariably ends up going through the core, even when I try to make sure it’s not aiming for it!
Having said all that, as I said they are sharp and I bought the bread knife and carving knife on the strength of them.

The bread knife is fab and already gets lots of use. Planning on buying another one as I have several others that are nowhere near as sharp and are always available in the drawer.

The carving knife is ok but the carving fork it came with has times that are just too far apart and are not so good stabbing pieces of meat to put them on the plate. I’m lazy and liked the fact they are dishwasher safe - some of the other carving knives and bread knives suggested liked great but it’s really handy being able to plonk them in if you’re putting on a large load after having a big meal - I know it’s not best treatment for them and they do get hand washed nicely sometimes but the convenience is also very nice!

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Oh that's weird. I mostly use the non-serrated one for apples etc and it works perfectly, and I use the serrated one for tomatoes and sandwiches. I think maybe you're right and the straight one makes neater cuts.

ChaliceinWonderland · 20/07/2025 19:28

Loving this thread.

custardcreme77 · 20/07/2025 19:28

Tulipvase · 20/07/2025 19:14

Do you run the risk of skinning yourself along with the garlic?

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I’ve found this

https://www.thelittlegarlicplate.co.uk/instructions

looks easy enough. They do something similar at Dunelms.

Instructions | thelittlegarlicplate

How does a ceramic garlic grater plate work - printable instructions and video demonstration on the correct way to use one.

https://www.thelittlegarlicplate.co.uk/instructions

BlackCatGreyWhiskers · 20/07/2025 19:28

A garlic crush - got one more than ten years ago from BBC good food for £20.

https://amzn.eu/d/c8T8QrP

Meat masher - for mince when it goes in the pan.

amzn.eu/d/hD2E9cM

Amazon.co.uk

https://amzn.eu/d/c8T8QrP?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum--chat-5374889-unexpectedly-brilliant-purchases

Silverpaws · 20/07/2025 19:29

MontyDonsBlueScarf · 17/07/2025 12:28

The pronged sandals that you strap over your shoes to aerate the lawn. They actually work, are easy to use, and do a brilliant job. Not sure they'd be welcome as a present though....

These always make me think of Uncle Harvey in The League of Gentlemen 🤣🤣🤣

Thindog · 20/07/2025 19:32

I got a cheese box, from Lakeland, which has a charcoal filter in the lid. It's brilliant for stopping the smell from pooey French cheese from stinking out the fridge.

SquallyShowersLater · 20/07/2025 19:34

simpsonthecat · 20/07/2025 11:29

A burger press.

I make my own burgers and can decide what to put in them, and they don't fall apart from being pressed in the burger press!

I agree, the Lakeland burger press is brilliant. Cheap and simple but so effective. I never buy ready made burgers now.

SquallyShowersLater · 20/07/2025 19:34

Thindog · 20/07/2025 19:32

I got a cheese box, from Lakeland, which has a charcoal filter in the lid. It's brilliant for stopping the smell from pooey French cheese from stinking out the fridge.

I need one of those.

pinkglitter12 · 20/07/2025 19:36

Laser hair removal device Smile I love waking up and feeling how soft I am

BurntBroccoli · 20/07/2025 19:36

Charabanc · 20/07/2025 19:11

Yes, much. They are longer and thinner. And slightly angled. And much stiffer than a toothbrush.

Really easy to do the sealant between the basin and the tiles, round the bottom of the tap, the bit between the drain and the basin, down the plughole, etc etc.

Going to have a go on my sink next! Happy days.

Show quote history

Ooh thanks - the angle thing would be much better for taps. ☺️

SquallyShowersLater · 20/07/2025 19:39

BeMellowAquaSquid · 20/07/2025 12:25

My robo hoover! Absolute god send!

Oh for goodness sake. I've already added two things to my Amazon basket in the last three minutes. I almost bought one of these in last weeks Black Friday sale but resisted. I'm kicking myself now. I'm going to have to do it, aren't I? What one do you have?