Childhood Memories of My Winter Hot Water Bottle
By Val
@valmnz (17095)
New Zealand
November 27, 2015 10:18pm CST
As the weather becomes colder for those of you in the northern hemisphere, I'm sure you're looking for ways to keep yourself warm. I came across this old postcard of a hot water bottle today and immediately I thought of my own childhood winters, of which hot water bottles were an important part.
My mother used to fill these rubber bottles with hot water shortly before bed time, enabling them to warm the bed before we climbed in for the night. Then, once in bed we either put the hot water bottle down by our feet, to keep tham warm, or snuggled up with them close to our tummies.
I prefer an electric blanket these days, but I have one friend who still prefers to use a hot water bottle. What about you? Do you have memories of a hot water bottle? Do you still use one maybe? How do you prefer to keep warm in bed during winter?
7 people like this
8 responses
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
28 Nov 15
I have heated rocks camping and used that before.
3 people like this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
28 Nov 15
@valmnz used the campfire, wrapped them in old towels and tucked them at the bottom of the sleeping bag, had too, was way colder than expected
2 people like this
@valmnz (17095)
• New Zealand
28 Nov 15
That's what @Platespinner said below. Now I often wear socks to bed, I suspect you might too?
@Tampa_girl7 (54744)
• United States
28 Nov 15
I have never used them , but know about them from my mama.
1 person likes this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
28 Nov 15
I love hot water bottles...@valmnz , In the job I was just doing.... the lady I was helping liked to have a hot water bottle in her bed.... I love the smell, when filling the bottle....I think some of that is because it bri back good childhood memories of when I used to have one... 
2 people like this
@valmnz (17095)
• New Zealand
28 Nov 15
@sueznewz2 and did you knit covers for yours too?
2 people like this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
28 Nov 15
@valmnz nnnnooooo, lol's can't knit, I have not got the patience....
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382752)
• Rockingham, Australia
28 Nov 15
@valmnz Yes, same thing 
@EugenesDDen I've seen these in museums, etc. They were probably very effective too.
@EugenesDDen I've seen these in museums, etc. They were probably very effective too.1 person likes this
@EugenesDDen (310)
• Ireland
28 Nov 15
In the 19th century, maids in the big houses warmed beds using a device which was like a copper frying pan with a lid on top. This was at the end of a long wooden handle. Hot embers or maybe a heated brick was placed in the pan and they slid the contraption into beds at nightime.
2 people like this
@EugenesDDen (310)
• Ireland
28 Nov 15
Yes I remember the hot water bottle in the days before double glazing or central heating. On very cold days in the depths of winter, there would be frost on the inside of the panes of glass! I once had a bad experience with a really old aluminium hot water bottle which I think was an heirloom from my father's time. I think I was about 7 at the time and the water was too hot in the bottle which ended up burning my leg and leaving a blister. The blister became infected and I still have the scar as a result.
I prefer an electric blanket now, but I'm obsessed with safety and always worry about it going on fire. As far as I recall, blankets should be checked every 3 or 5 years (usually written on the instructions) to make sure none of the wires in the blanket have broken, which can cause arcing and potential fire. The best thing is to buy a new one though.
