Preparing for winter clothes for home

[Pava22]

Hi all.

I'm getting ready for winter and am looking for things to keep us warm.so we don't use the heating as much. My bills for gas electric and water are already a combined price of £490 a month! And I'm dreading winter.

I'm looking for multipacks of thermal or woll anti.slip socks that don't cost the earth for adults and kids! I had a look at shein because they are normally cheap but they have thermal socks and they have grip socks but not combined in multi packs. Bit tight for money at the moment.

If anyone has any tips please let me know! I'm hoping

Also we rent and there are 2 Aircon/heaters

Would it be cheaper to use them as heaters for a few hours in the 2 main rooms a day than to use the main heating but turn radiators off where we aren't using them?
I'm clueless. Thanks!

Also kids won't wear slippers. I have tried that before as we have wooden floors. House gets very cold even in summer as we don't get much light in due to trees and bushes.

Long johns (thermal base layer for your legs) under PJs or daily clothes are good

How old are your children? Tell them they are going to start wearing slippers and take them to choose some fun ones to buy

Sainsbury’s TU do some nice thermals, not sure if they’re in yet but they’re reasonably priced.

When students, we used to do t-shirt, jumper, hot water bottle, dressing gown over the top, with cord holding water bottle in place 😂

Hats also hold in the most warmth for your buck, most heat is lost from your head apparently. Beanies are comfy to wear all the time ime.

Personally I would spend a bit more and buy from m&s rather than Shein. I think those cheapy online shops are good for keeping up with trends without spending too much, but are a false economy if you are looking g for any substance.

I would second being strict about slippers too x

Agree re slippers

Do you have a primark? Their oodies are good.

If you have spare cash available, I strongly recommend a wool duvet such as Baavet. I mention these loads on here because they have been amazing for us - we got them a couple of years ago. I used to need either an electric blanket or hot water bottle every night in winter. These duvets are brilliant. No need to prewarm the bed. Toasty warm all night with no cold patches.
On their website they sell "seconds/not perfect" ones - which we bought-I stress that seconds does not mean used.

Keep an eye out in the middle section of Lidl/Aldi, they tend to have this stuff in towards Autumn ish.

Do you knit? If you can knit you can make hats and blankets quite cheaply, and it's a hobby too 😃

One layer on the bottom is worth two on top - so if you're using blankets, put one underneath you/wrap around your back when on the sofa, etc.

Always cover your feet. I hate the feel of fluffy socks so I put thin cotton ones on and then thicker/fluffy ones over the top.

Hot water bottles and thick wooly blankets are making a come back in our house as well as double layers of fluffy socks and cosy tracksuits. Layer up blankets on the beds and if you have any spare duvets place one between the sheet and mattress as this helps. I usually wear a warm scarf indoors too. Its sad but remember no heating was the norm and people survived in The past.

Decathlon have base layers for a few quid.

You could wear two pairs of socks - one pair under the grip socks.

I'd recommend Oodies or the like. So warm!

If your children won't wear slippers would they wear trainers kept for indoors only. Some super market trainers are as cheap as slippers

Think about washing and drying as well when choosing, some thick clothes take ages to dry and if kids are small spillages are inevitable. I prefer thin fleece separate top and bottom for DD ( and for myself tbh) rather then one big thing, they will dry quicker. Also thin fleece will give you enough warmths if you have a few layers underneath.
I second thin cotton socks and then warm socks, much better. Don’t know your budget but Next does kids thicker socks with some wool or cashmere, there are really nice and warm, only I would go towards bigger size - to get space for extra socks and in case of shrinking.

Thanks everyone. I shall take a look at all!

Oodie + ugg boots + some fleecy leggings. All you need.

That's what we do - normal socks then slipper socks over the top

If you can maybe get second hand on Vinted then I’d recommend actual branded Oodies and north face slippers, they last FOREVER and are so warm. They are called ‘north face thermo ball’ if you Google.

do you have a b&m or home bargains near you? They do the heat holders socks, leggings and tops. I wear a pair of their fleece leggings, a normal T-shirt and socks, oodie and north face slippers when camping and sitting outside late at night and it’s lovely and warm

I'd you don't have the budget for a oodie we found the Dunelm version really good and they are only £16

Uniqlo are meant to be good for base layers.

M&s are always reliable, not sure how much they do in multi packs though.

Wait - you already pay almost £500 a month for gas, electricity and water?

Are you sure that is right?

Get the Teddy bear fleece bedding, it's amazing.

Merino wool base layers from mountain warehouse - I wear them for winter camping and on the motorbike. Highly recommend. Thinsulate beanie is a good investment and throws of course

Fingerless gloves.

Re slippers - would they consider boot style slippers? They don't fall off the way normal slippers tend to

Investing in a good winter dooner/quilt is a good place to start for freezing nights. If you don't want to spend money on an electric blanket (I love them), just a couple of water bottles should get your bed nice and toasty. If you don't want to spend money on a good quilt, a cheap one with a couple of also cheap lightweight blankets will do the same.

As for wearing around the house without heat, full leggings, a thermal top, thick socks and a wearable blanket is the cheapest way to be warm. If you have a bit of money to invest, I recommend Ugg boots. You won't even need socks.

@Crunchymum yes my silly dh was using heating excessively last year in the winter. Our house is stupidly cold even in summer. And then the prices changed as we where renewing. We use one energy so it does include our water and a fee with them but it was requested by our landlord to use them.