Summer is officially over. The 21st of December 2022 signified the start and ends on Monday, the 20th of March 2023, in the southern hemisphere. This means that autumn is April to May, winter is June to August, and spring is September to November.
Gone are the shorts, summer dresses, and slippers to be replaced with boots, jackets, and scarves in preparation for predicted cold and wet weather. Soup and hot chocolate will also be the order of the day while under the covers or sitting in front of the fire/heater.
Not every single day of autumn and winter will be overcast or have the possibility of rain. The sun will still periodically poke its head out from under the clouds for that rare day to hang out the washing or even swim.
With loadshedding stages at an all-time high, Gumtree lists some of the non-electrical items you should stock up on before the weather starts getting colder:
Hot water bottle
The hot water bottle is the next best thing when a heater is not nearby. All you need is boiling water, and be careful to seal the stopper securely, so there is no leakage. After about 10 minutes or so, the water will eventually cool down, and you’ll need to boil and refill it again, but your body is warmed up by that time. Some also warm up the water inside the bottle using a charger.
A thick pair of socks and gloves
Because the hands and feet are constantly exposed, they are one of the first parts of the body to feel the bite of the cold weather. Sometimes rubbing your hands together and wearing regular socks isn’t enough. Almost any clothing shop sells thicker insulated gloves (usually cotton) and socks with excellent heat retention capabilities.
Onesie
They are warm and very comfortable because it basically acts as a body blanket. From animals to superheroes, there are so many designs to choose from, and, as a form of nostalgia, it takes adults back to their childhood days. The only downside of wearing them is if you have to visit the toilet. For example, the entire onesie has to be taken off (via a zip or buttons).
Whether its an electric blanket, heater or pair of warm boots, find your winter warmers on Gumtree.
Now that you’ve got the knowledge, it’s time to shop! Head to gumtree.co.za or your Gumtree app (click for Apple & Android), and don’t forget to use your location settings to find local service information close to home.
