Buy of the day

Wednesday Rufus wheat warmer, £27 by Showpony Meet Rufus, the microwaveable dachshund. Filled with wheat and lavender, he smells somewhat nicer than your average hound, and he promises not to chew your shoes or shed hair on the carpet. If Airedales or bulldogs are more your style, Showpony make a whole hot dog range, because everyone needs a faithful friend to snuggle up with on the sofa at this time of year. Tuesday Bird feeder, £15.95 by Garden Boutique at notonthehighstreet.com Share a little love with our feathered friends and give them an apple a day. Or, they might thank you more for a tasty ball of lard - to help them keep warm during this cold snap. And in the summer when there is bird food aplenty, this feeder doubles as a tealight holder. Clever huh? Monday Shopper, £32, by Lisa Stickley If, like Buy of the Day, you are increasingly incapable of leaving the house with less than two bags, then here is our current solution. We've been worrying a bit about the sheer numbers of cotton shoppers we've accumulated - plastic is bad, but cotton isn't always great either - so have opted for a more permanent second bag for those extra bits and bobs. And isn't it a stylish one too? A great size for books, umbrellas and magazines, waterproof and extremely sturdy (it's made from oilcloth canvas) this will last you years. And if you are feeling crafty, you can make a hot water bottle cover from our Lisa Stickley pattern , and keep it inside. Well, it can be very cold on the commute ...