Has anyone discovered anything this year that they could no longer be without?

[Straycatblue]

To wonder how Ive gone this long without having an electric blanket.

Got it for xmas and its the best thing ever, although I never want to leave my bed again.
Minus 10 outside currently but Im so cosy.

I suffer from lots of aches and pains and this is easing them so much.

Has anyone discovered anything this year that they could now no longer be without?

The curly girl method. Started it properly in Sept and my hair just keeps looking better and better.

Zumba. I absolutely love to dance, can’t believe I never tried it before this year. I’m addicted.

Alexa for turning awkard sockets on and off and enabling me to access Radio 4 and my UK music even whilst living abroad.

Multiple cats - to keep each other amused.

Airport lounges - which I can get free or for about £15 through my credit card. Food, drinks, comfy seats, quiet, showers and nap rooms. Even though I can only afford economy tickets this makes flying bearable (esp. after a few glasses of complimentary vino).

Rofl! I have a gesture controlled boot. I had no idea that's what it was called until I googled it.

Priority security at airports! Dd has ASD this has been a real blessing.

Oh and Vitamin D, wouldn't have got through the year without it

Two no cost ones:

Combing conditioner through my hair before rinsing, which has made such a difference to the texture.

Using soap to wash my face and stopping using moisturiser. My skin is much clearer and less oily.

An OXO Goodgrips vegetable peeler. Started a thread on here looking for a new peeler and Mumsnet delivered!

Yes yes to electric blanket OP. I also got mine last winter and have not looked back.

We succumbed after my hot water bottle burst and left me with a burn.

Someone tried to make me feel embarrassed by having one as I seem “ to be far too young “ to admit to using one.

But nothing comes close to the joy of getting into an already toasty bed- bliss!

A little light for my wardrobe which pings in when I open the door. Changed my life.

Floor wipes

Electric blanket here too, we had one a year ago but it broke. I bought a new one yesterday and last night we had the best nights sleep.

Also podcasts, my mates had gone on about them for years but this year I worked out how to download them...brilliant!

I also bought a cordless hoover...honestly best purchase ever! I adore it.

The gadget that lights up your toilet in the night. Got one when I was drunk last NYE. Best buy ever

finks what podcasts do you listen to?

Ooh yes, forgot my cordless Hoover. Partly because it's so light and quick, and partly because it lives upstairs. Having upstairs and downstairs vacuums is such a luxury. Handheld lives behind my bedroom door so takes up no useful space at all.

My cordless Dyson also lives upstairs in the spare bedroom, the big heavy old Dyson has now been relegated to only big very dirty jobs after diy and is in the garage

I find the cordless so light and easy to use

Sat nav, very late to the day with tech!
Netflix
Mac primer.
As a long term investment, my 10 year old dog, loving and never judging.
I will be buying my mum a heated sofa throw and soap next year.

Desert island discs
Eye of the storm
Serial
The minimalists
The archers
Under the skin
This American life
Ted Radio
Freakanomics

Always happy to hear of more that are good.

I had to come back again with another one. Only just really appreciating how lovely and soft washable sanitary pads are. I bought 9 pads for less than 3 packs of disposables. Environmentally friendly too, I now use these with a mooncup, I’m proper converted. Wish I’d got over my ‘eurgh, that’s yucky’ thoughts and got on board sooner.

@DailyMailareDicks can I ask where you got your pads from please?

My Fastpress ironing system. An absolute game changer. I know lots of you guys don't iron but I have to iron, can't help it and this halfs the time taken.

Another one voting for a cordless Dyson

Fitbit here too. And tabs to treat an arthritic condition.

I’m counting the days to I get back from my holiday to get home and purchase my cordless dyson. Been swithering for ages but now Im sold

Netflix (rarely watch the “normal” channels now)
Cordless dyson - ‘‘tis amazing!
Toaster tongs - recommended on a thread on here.

Entyvio for my ulcerative colitis. It's the only medication I've ever tried that really works.