TheWeatherOutlook, one of the UK’s leading independent weather forecasters, has suggested that colder weather will begin to bite this winter.Colder winters may not be a result of global warming, but an indisputable fact is that almost 37,000 people died during the last cold spell in 2008.The rise in “excess winter mortality” for England and Wales was the highest total in a decade.Last winter more than 90% of deaths were pensioners, who are among the least able to afford heating but the most vulnerable to cold.
So if you want to get your Nan or Gran practical Christmas presents with more than just a touch of irony, get her a Hot Polar Bear. Yes, just as the ice caps are melting and the bears drowning, this one at least can see your elderly relative through the winter.He’ll melt more than just your Gran’s icy tootsies. Stocking fillers (even wrinkly stocking fillers) don’t come much more cute, adorable and practical than this.The bear has a heatable wheat sack in his tummy. Just heat up the bag in the microwave and you can cuddle up with warm bear in bed.
Speaking of beds: if you’ve been looking for the ideal gifts for her that suit the Nan’s boudoir but have been stymied so far, try the Sound Asleep Pillow.Lying in bed and drifting off to sleep listening to a favourite radio programme is heaven – especially if you are nuzzling a hot polar bear. It’s not so much fun if you end up throttling yourself the headphone cable or get an ear infection from extended use of those ridiculous little ear bud phones.This comfortable pillow has a speaker buried deep within its plumpy core and a jack that plugs into a radio (or an iPod or MP3 player if she’s ever heard of those things).The sound is inaudible to anyone except your sleeping nan with her head on the pillow and feet wrapped round the bear.Nodding off for your grannie has never been so wonderfully self-indulgent.
