Shoppers say the store’s products have been helping them tackle the cold weather
Bargain-hunters have been snapping up a cheap-to-run gadget to cope with the freezing cold weather. Online Home Shop (OHS) says its “really cute” microwavable ‘hotties’, which cost just 15p-a-week and less than 1p-an-hour to use, are “flying off the virtual shelves” for as little as £5.50.
It comes as temperatures plunged as low as -12C in some parts of the UK this week. During the early hours of Friday, November 21, 2025, Tomintoul in Scotland became home of the UK’s coldest November night in 15 years. Minimum temperatures recorded in other parts of the UK included -7.2C in Swyddffynnon, Wales, and -6.7C in Shap, Cumbria.
Meanwhile, Ofgem’s October price cap hike is keeping energy bills high, with many households spending less on heating by reducing their energy consumption due to financial pressure. To keep bills as low as possible, people are searching for cheap gadgets to help ‘heat the human, not the home’.
OHS says it has an array of ‘winter warmer’ essentials on offer to help. Shoppers have hailed the £8.50 OHS Croissant Microwaveable Hottie as “really cute”, while the coffee cup version has been reduced to just £5.50 and the gingerbread for just £5.50.
A description of the gingerbread microwaveable hottie reads: “Add festive charm to your cosy moments with the OHS Gingerbread Man Microwaveable Hottie, designed in the shape of a cheerful gingerbread figure. Featuring a soft teddy texture, it offers a plush and comforting feel that’s perfect for snuggling on cold days.
“Simply warm it in the microwave to enjoy gentle, soothing heat that helps ease tension and keep you snug. Ideal for relaxing at home or adding a seasonal touch to your self-care routine, it’s both playful and practical for the winter months.”
OHS’ Thermal Blackout Curtains have also been slashed from £15 to just £6 and have been getting plenty of attention. It comes as Martin Lewis urged households to use “tactical curtains” by closing them when it’s dark to hold in the heat. He previously urged UK households to follow a ‘rule’ daily of shutting the curtains as soon as it gets dark to trap heat indoors.
In the customer reviews of the thermal curtains, one shopper said: “Smashing quality for the price. They are very nice; better black out curtains than my last ones (which cost 4 times the price).”
Elsewhere, a spokesperson for the brand said it has seen a 25% uplift in sales on fleece bedding in preparation for the cold snap. Some bargain-hunters have praised the £8 Teddy Fleece Reversible Duvet Cover Set for “transforming my life”. One shopper said: “It is like having central heated bedding, such fantastic value for money.”
OHS’ Supersoft Hoodie Blanket has been reduced to just £9.50 from £19, and is said to feel like a “fab cuddle”. A customer wrote: “You feel like you’re wrapped in soft blankets and so cosy. They are a game changer when it’s cold, so we’ll be sad to have to put them away when it gets warmer!”
Ashley Furness, trend expert at Online Home Shop, said: “We’ve expanded our Winter Warmers range because we know how important it is to give families the option to heat themselves, not their whole home. With heating bills on the rise, we’re slashing our prices to make our Winter Warmers accessible to as many people as possible.”
