Essentials to get you through the rest of winter

Down is expensive and morally questionable, but there’s no beating it for warmth. Plus, a lot of down is recycled these days and a good down coat will last you through this winter, the next and many more to come. Patagonia has long been a leader in the coat department and we love the modern update they’ve given their classic Bivy jacket. The retro two-tone design is now made from 100 percent recycled materials, including nylon over the shoulders, water-resistant polyester for the body and 600-fill-power recycled insulation that’s made from reclaimed duck and goose down.

There are few better feelings than coming home to a hot cooked meal and, even if you live alone, this Crock-Pot TimeSelect CSC006 will ensure you do daily. The slow cooker fits a sizeable 5.6 litres, which will easily feed seven, and can be scheduled up to 12 hours in advance. Simply select the time you want your dinner ready, dial in the heat settings and hey presto! Your stew, soup, curry – it can even fit a whole chicken – will be waiting for you. Even if you’re a little late, the machine will switch to keep warm mode once it’s done.

Instead of buying an expensive pair of winter boots, how about you bag these Ugg sheepskin insoles for £20 and make your spring boots winter-friendly? They’re comfy, practical and can be trimmed to fit any shoe – although they’re true to size, so should fit without modification. The base is made from dual-density foam, plus a pod of Ugg’s trademark PORON foam in the heel for durability, and topped by a thick bed of fur from Australian, American, Irish or UK-based sheep. They’re also ideal for renewing a worn pair of slippers. Trust us, your feet will thank you.

We don’t spend nearly as much time in bed as we’d like, which is why we don’t often think about it, but getting a good duvet will vastly improve your nights (and therefore days). If you’ve got cash to splash, plump for the Jasmine All Season. This sumptuous three-in-one bedfellow will see you through all the seasons, as it’s a 9 tog and a 4.5 tog that button together to form a 13.5 tog, so you’re covered whatever the weather. It’s also made from 100 percent, Grade-A, long-fibre Mulberry silk, which is the fanciest (and most expensive) silk out there.

It’d be lovely to hibernate through winter and avoid it altogether, but we’ve got to get out there, so we may as well make those trips fun. The best way to do that is with music, naturally, or a podcast or an audiobook, which is why we’re fans of these Skyeol bluetooth earmuffs. They’re unassuming on the outside, but warm and techy on the inside. The headphones and built-in mic connect wirelessly to any device and can be controlled via discreet buttons on the side. A two-hour charge gives ten hours playback and the electronics come out, so you can chuck the muffs in the wash.