M&S has just dropped its winter collection of super-soft faux fur bedding, and if last year is any indication, I think this cosy, luxurious bedding set will sell out in record time.

A reversible bedding set with soft fleece on one side and luxurious faux fur on the other, as far as I’m concerned, this duvet set is the *ultimate* cosy bedtime treat.

What’s more, the M&S Supersoft Faux Fur Bedding Set is now just £28 for a single. Personally, I think that’s a lot of good reasons to snap up this bedtime treat before it flies off the shelves.

As Ideal Home’s Sleep Editor, I’ve spent the last five years testing bedding from all the major (and minor) high street names, and when it comes to where to buy bedding, M&S is always one of my top recommendations.

However, this year M&S has upped its game even further. The M&S autumn bedding collection is one of the best I’ve seen, and the M&S Christmas bedding is some of the best festive bedding you can buy this year, as far as I’m concerned.

But the brand’s Supersoft Faux Fur bedding is in another league. When it launched last year, it was the first time I’d ever seen a faux fur *duvet cover*, and as the cold weather hit, I wasn’t surprised to see it fly off the shelves.

And it seems I wasn’t alone in being impressed by it. If my memory serves me correctly, by the end of November last year, stock of this luxurious bedding set was already sold out online.

This year, it’s back, and, thanks to M&S’s current 20% off ‘Cosy Home’ deals, a single is reduced from £35 to £28, and a double from £45 to £36.

‘Lovely snuggly bedding, warm and comfy!’ raves one five-star reviewer on the M&S website. ‘Very cosy and so, so soft.’ ‘Beautifully soft and cosy duvet set,’ confirms another happy owner. ‘It’s a very nice colour too, exactly what I hoped for.’

‘Absolutely amazing quality,’ sums up another five-star review, ‘feels so cosy with the winter weather coming around. Really recommend.’

What’s more, this year it isn’t just the faux fur duvet set on offer. M&S already has plenty of other cosy fleece and super soft faux fur bedding hitting the shelves, and I have no doubt there’s more to come.

I’ve rounded up some of the best winter buys below, but if this luxe snuggly bedding catches your eye, I recommend moving fast whilst it’s still in stock.

Popping into my local Aldi store to do my food shop, I was easily sidetracked by their Specialbuys. The reason is simple: their Christmas lighting range is too good to miss.

In all honesty, the Ideal Home team looks forward to seeing the Aldi Christmas Specialbuys every year. Offering everything from affordable cast iron cookware to gorgeous festive candles and decorations, it’s one of the best places to bring your budget Christmas decorating ideas to life.

This year, I’ve noticed a real appetite for Christmas lighting, and if you’re looking for affordable options, I suggest you head to Aldi before they sell out.

Over the weekend, Aldi dropped a load of gorgeous Christmas decor, undoubtedly signalling the end of Halloween and the beginning of the festive season. It was while doing my weekly shop at my local store that their Christmas lighting caught my eye.

Christmas lighting has been huge this year. IKEA’s Christmas lighting has proved bold, colourful and playful, while M&S’s stunning designs are already selling out. Aldi’s products are already in store and are likely to move just as fast.

What caught my eye in particular was the Shooting Star decoration (£14.99) and Pyramid Tree (£19.99), which are dead ringers for IKEA’s LED STRÅLA Christmas tree (£25). Perfect for adding some extra festive sparkle to your decor, these decorations use twinkling LED lights to form the shape of a traditional Christmas tree.

The Pyramid tree in particular offers eight different lighting functions, stands at a huge two metres and has a six- to 18-hour timer. It’s an ideal choice if you don’t have the space inside for a bushy tree, or alternatively, want to add a little glitz to your garden.

Next on my ‘to buy’ list is the LED Twinkling Orb (£9.99). I’ve been a big fan of the flamboyant disco-inspired Christmas decor we’ve seen over the past few years, and this feels like an elevated take on this trend. These large globes have bands of LED lights to create a chandelier effect in your home. They’d look wonderful hung above the Christmas dining table or in your windows.

Lastly, if you want a glitzy alternative to a traditional wreath, why not try the XXL Light Wreath (£14.99), which is available in a gold or silver colourway. It has a timer and dimmer function so you can tailor it to your own needs, but with spirals of glittering LED lights, it will be a showstopper on your front door.

Aldi’s lights are already in store, so if you find that your local Aldi has already sold out, here are a few more stylish yet affordable Christmas lights I love this year.

Alternatives

As with all Specialbuys, Aldi’s lights are only availble while stocks last – so be quick, if you want to get your hands on them.

Are you excited for Bonfire Night? While most of us will enjoy a fireworks display, building a Guy and attending community events, the use of fireworks can sometimes be antisocial. There are strict rules about when you can set off fireworks, so I asked legal experts to explain what you can do if your neighbour is in breach of them.

Neighbour disputes are never pleasant and are always best avoided. However, if you feel your neighbour is letting off fireworks irresponsibly or it has a negative impact on your home life, legal experts say there are a few steps you can take.

Of course, most of us want to enjoy Bonfire Night safely and responsibly, but this is what legal experts say you can do if you feel your neighbours are not doing the same.

What is the law surrounding setting off fireworks in a residential area in the UK

Some key rules apply on the big night, including a curfew to stick to. According to Gov.uk, you are not allowed to set off fireworks between 11 pm and 7 am. On Bonfire Night, this is extended to midnight. On New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali, this is extended to 1 am.

‘There are also restrictions on where fireworks can be used. It is illegal to set off or throw fireworks, including sparklers, in the street or other public places. They should only be used on private land, with the landowner’s permission and enough space to follow the recommended safety distances. Under-18s are also prohibited from possessing adult fireworks in public places,’ explains Paula Moses, Legal Director in the Commercial Dispute Resolution team at Blacks.

‘Additional consideration should be given to the surrounding environment. For example, if you live near a veterinary practice, school, care home or other sensitive premises, fireworks can cause significant disruption, particularly to animals, young children and vulnerable individuals, so it is important to be mindful of the potential impact and take reasonable steps to minimise disturbance.

‘Councils also encourage a little neighbourly courtesy such as letting those around know ahead of time, particularly if they have young children, elderly relatives or animals, and try to wrap up early.’

Can I report my neighbours for setting off fireworks?

‘For many people, the biggest concern isn’t just the noise itself but the impact it can have on young children, vulnerable relatives or pets. While that doesn’t automatically mean a neighbour is doing anything wrong, it’s something people should be mindful of when planning a display,’ comments Joanne Ellis, partner and a specialist in dispute resolution at the law firm Stephensons.

‘In most cases, a friendly conversation is the best place to start. Giving neighbours advance notice that you’re planning to set off fireworks allows them to prepare and can go a long way towards avoiding disagreements. Likewise, if you’re unhappy about noise from a neighbour’s fireworks, raising it politely and calmly will often resolve the issue more quickly than escalating matters straight away. A friendly chat in advance to discuss your worries may enable an agreement to be reached.’

As when trying to resolve issues around replacing fences or cutting back plants, a friendly conversation is most likely the easiest point of resolution. However, if these conversations go nowhere, you can escalate your complaint.

‘It is illegal to set off most fireworks between 11 pm and 7 am, and if your neighbours are breaching these restrictions, you can report this to the police. However, fireworks can also cause a noise nuisance before the 11 pm curfew. If the disturbance is persistent or excessive, you can raise a complaint with your local council’s environmental health team, which can investigate whether the noise amounts to a statutory nuisance,’ says Paula.

‘If firework use is persistent, regular, or beyond normal seasonal occasions, you may be able to bring a claim yourself in the civil courts under the laws of private nuisance. This would require that the use and enjoyment of your property is reduced by the noise, light and perhaps debris from the neighbouring property. In extreme cases, you could seek an injunction to prevent it.

‘Remember that courts will conduct a balancing exercise between the parties’ rights and freedoms. If you are considering a complaint to the Council or a private claim, it would help to keep a diary and some evidence of the level of disturbance.’

While we can expect to hear fireworks on Bonfire Night, we can still expect our neighbours to set them off responsibly. If you plan to set off fireworks in a residential area, ensure you notify your neighbours first as a courtesy.