We know that old-school book hounds find Amazon’s e-reader to be anathema to their delicate literary sensibilities. And we are in no way advocating the death of the bookstore; we love browsing shelves stuffed with books as much as the next avid reader. However, the Kindle offers great functionality that is brilliant for regular readers who don’t want to venture out of their warm houses in winter. First of all, since the device is linked to Amazon’s online shop, you needn’t worry about whether or not a book you want is in store at your local shop. Simply connect with the WiFi, hit the online store and select what you want – it’s more than likely the book will be available for purchase and it’s also likely to be cheaper than local retail. Secondly, you don’t need to visit the bookstore. Once you make your purchase, the Kindle will download it in a matter of seconds. All this and a battery life that could last you a long-haul flight. The Kindle is essential for literature fans.

Over the last year or so, Showmax has made a pretty convincing argument that it’s stepping out of Netflix’s shadow. Not only does it seem to have cornered the market on HBO’s fantastic stable of shows; it fires out tasty movies and binge-worthy series on an almost biweekly basis.
It’s got something to fit every taste. If you’re after gritty fare check out The Deuce, which looks at the rise of New York’s porn industry, or The Wire, arguably the best police procedural ever made. Comedy fans can blaze through the social media trainwreck of Tali’s Wedding Diary, the piercingly funny take on single motherhood in SMILF, or the biting political satire, Veep. Drama hounds can go through box after box of tissues with Gray’s Anatomy, while those on the market for darker stuff should settle in for dystopian sci-fi The Handmaid’s Tale.
A subscriber’s ability to sync Showmax through an array of devices – smartphones, tablets, browsers and even gaming consoles – means you can always move your entertainment to the warmest part

We’ve all been there; you have to get up to go to work, but the idea of padding to the kitchen on a freezing floor and then shivering as the kettle boils makes your brain shudder. The Nespresso Prodigio Espresso Maker takes most of that torture out of the equation.
You see, this coffee machine comes with Bluetooth connectivity. Once you sync it to your smartphone via the accompanying app, you can make coffee remotely. Pop a coffee pod in the espresso maker at night and the following morning when your alarm goes off, you can press a screen and have your coffee ready for you by the time you reach the kitchen All of which – crucially – gives you more time under the duvet.

This gadget may seem a little like luxury for its own sake, but hey, it’s getting cold out there, so treat yourself to an electric-blanket-bag for your pajamas. This thermal satin pouch has heating elements that clock out at 47˚C, making sure that anything you place inside is warm and toasty after just 10 minutes.
As the name would suggest, this sleeve was developed initially to warm up its owner’s PJs before bed – but that doesn’t mean you can’t use it for other items. Keep the early morning chills away by placing gloves, beanies and scarves in it. You can even warm up your underwear if you like – we won’t judge.

Unless you’re the person in your office who has unchallenged control of the air conditioner, this item is an absolute must. Prevent the onset of cold ‘mouse hand’ by investing in this cute little number. Just plug it into the USB port and you can keep your hand warm throughout the day. The nonstick underside prevents it from sliding around too. Bonus.