Is your child a picky eater? You’re far from alone here and a lot of parents struggle with this problem. Picky eating can be anything from a trait of their personality or perhaps even a sensory concern. Some children don’t like certain textures or flavours. So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the ways that you can handle the problem of picky eating in kids. This is a smart point to consider if you want to make sure that your child continues to receive a balanced diet.

Flavours

First, there’s the issue of flavours. Some kids hate certain food flavours and it’s unfortunate that a lot of the time this is the flavours associated with fruit or veg. The best way to deal with this is provide ways for them to improve the flavours. For instance, you could invest in the best best spicy bbq sauce. A lot of children are big fans of BBQ so this is a great way to spice up the dinner time meal. 

Texture

If your child has sensory issues then it’s entirely possible that they are struggle with certain textures of foods. For instance, they might be fine with bolognaise but they could struggle with lasagne. If you are worried about this, then the best option would be to think about trial and error. Explore different types of the same food to discover which one is the right choice for your child specifically. 

Fun And Games 

Another way to deal with this is by making it fun for your kids. You will likely get more benefits from this option with younger children compared to older kids. For instance, you could think about using food dyes. Believe it or not, some children do prefer different colours and shades of food. For instance, kids with ASD are well known to favour beige colours foods like chicken nuggets. You can get around this with some food dye that will transform everything into their favourite shade including healthy meals.

Rewards 

Last but certainly not least, you could consider rewarding kids for trying new foods or eating foods that they aren’t the biggest fans of. Parents are often reluctant to reward good behavior because it teaches children that they are owed something. However, there’s a reason why this has been a tried and tested form of parenting for years. It 100% works and the rewards don’t have to be massive. Smaller rewards can still have a significant impact on their behavior. 

We hope this helps you understand some of the key steps that you should take to make sure that you are able to manage your child’’s picky eating. If none of these options work, then you could also fill in the holes in their diet with supplements. These are available from a wide range of brands and sellers so it is important to make sure that you do check out the reviews before you commit to an option like this.

When it comes to making your house feel like a home, your windows play an important role: They bring the natural daylight inside. This instantly makes any space feel homelier.

But did you know that there’s a lot more you could do with your windows? With the right treatment, you can elevate your entire maintenance and experience of windows at home without worrying about replacing them. 

Here are 5 window upgrades you want to consider for extra comfort.

#1. An Extra Layer of Security

Standard windows and patio doors can be vulnerable to attacks, especially on a ground floor. Sure, you could be replacing your windows, but this is an expensive investment. Instead, many homeowners are looking at other options, such as reinforcing their existing structure with patio door security screens. These add a durable barrier that doesn’t require changing the window structure. It’s a smart but practical layered approach that keeps you safe at home. 

#2. Control Light & Privacy

Windows are designed to let the light in. But that also means that they can expose your interior to anyone who wants to look inside. So, while you can’t remove the window, you definitely want to look for protection. 

Curtains are, of course, a neat solution, but they can be too bulky. On the other hand, interior blinds bring a unique flexibility and lightness that you can’t have with privacy curtains. 

Besides, it’s worth noting that modern blind options can be connected to smart hubs and sensors so that they can be adjusted automatically without requiring any manual effort. This can be a game-changer during the warmer months of the year, as it’s a great way to control the temperature indoors. 

#3. No More Stains

If you spend a lot of time cleaning your window glass, perhaps it’s time to consider solutions that will reduce maintenance. Naturally, you want to figure out why your windows are always dirty and whether there is something that you could improve already to reduce the issue. For example, this could be linked to a lack of ventilation in the kitchen.

But, it’s also important to accept that some issues can’t be resolved easily. When that’s the case, it can be helpful to use a treatment that reduces the formation of stains. If you struggle with water stains, a hydrophobic glass treatment can help. If this is dirt and build-up, you can add a protective window film to the glass. 

#4. New Window Frames, But Same Old

New window frames without actually changing your window frames? It’s an option when you decide to go for frame enhancements, such as frame wraps. This is minimal costs compared to replacing your window, and it can help it blend into your decor. 

#5. Reducing UV Exposure

Most people don’t realize that even indoors, you could be exposed to UV rays, unless your windows have received UV treatments. You can add a film specifically designed to block UV rays without blocking the natural light.

The same film can also help reduce heat buildup in summer, which makes your room a lot more comfortable and can also save on energy costs. 

The bottom line: Windows are highl;y adaptable and you can turn them into anything you want and need.

The homeschool day is a full one, from reviewing yesterday’s materials with your child to the next chapters in different subjects. There’s work to do on paper and online, and your kid is excited to play during breaks and after homeschooling ends that day. Helping them unwind later on is important so they avoid overstimulation. Here are some suggestions:

Make It Clear When the School Day Ends

Something that can happen when you two spend so much time together is that the line blurs between the homeschool hours and the time afterward. So, it’s a good idea to clearly signal when the homeschool day ends, whether that’s by firmly closing a book or saying upfront that the school part of the day is over. With that end, you and your child may clean up the learning space together or have a short talk about what they learned today. The point here is to help them mentally separate teacher from parent and school time from personal time.

Encourage Calm Activities

After a full day of learning, many kids benefit from downtime. That’s not to say that they’re sleeping or just watching TV. Instead, encourage them to do creative activities that require focus without a lot of pressure. Creative outlets like drawing and writing are some examples. Your kid isn’t worried that they might get an answer wrong or feel the need to be right, the way they would on school tests. Instead, they’re having fun while still being curious about things and using their imagination.

Use Music as an After-School Activity

Music is an effective way to end the homeschool day, since you’re still in the house, and they’re still learning, although in a calmer way. For example, at-home piano lessons in Atlanta and elsewhere are a great after-school routine to get into. They’re still learning, but it’s in a more creative way than the textbooks and quizzes earlier in the day. Many kids want to learn to play piano because it’s fun, they like having a special skill, and it provides a challenge without feeling like school.

Go Outside Too

Being outside helps them relax after hours of reading, listening, and focusing indoors. It’s a great change in environment. They might feel overloaded, so stepping outside, especially before it gets dark, helps reduce mental fatigue. You might feel burned out, too, so join them outside for a walk or to do some stretches. That helps you both get some exercise, release any excess energy, and unwind for a calm evening ahead.

Take Time to Connect

While you two have been connecting over books and learning during the homeschool day, it’s important to continue moments of connection after school ends, too. That helps your child understand that you don’t always have to be learning when you’re together. You could cook or bake together, take a walk, or play cards, for example. Maybe you’ll even create something together, such as a painting or drawing. Taking the time to unwind after the homeschool day together, you two will have a positive evening.

 When the temperature drops, the heater becomes very tempting to leave on all day. You wake up cold, turn it on, and before you know it, it’s been running for hours. The house feels cosy, but the thought of the energy bill quietly sits in the back of your mind. We’ve all been there.

Start by keeping the warmth you already have

One of the biggest things to remember in colder weather isn’t creating heat, it’s losing it. Draughts around doors, windows, and floors can undo hours of heating in minutes. Blocking gaps with simple draught excluders or thicker curtains helps keep warm air inside where it belongs.

Things like layering soft furnishings also makes a big difference and keeps you warm. Rugs, throws, and cushions don’t just make a room feel cosy, they actually help with staying warm at home by reducing heat loss. And these small changes add up quickly.

Dress the house like you dress yourself

It sounds obvious, but many homes are dressed for summer all year round. Lightweight fabrics, bare floors, and uncovered windows don’t help much when it’s cold outside.

Switching to thicker curtains, adding fleece or wool blankets, and even changing bedding for warmer materials can help you stay warm without the need for your heating running constantly. It’s the same idea as putting on a jumper instead of turning the heater up another notch.

Use heat only where and when you need it

Heating the whole house all day is rarely necessary. Most people spend their time in just a few rooms, so focus on those spaces. Closing doors to unused rooms helps trap warmth where you actually need it.

Timers and thermostats are also your friend. Setting the heating to come on briefly in the morning and evening often works better than leaving it on low all day. You get warmth when it matters, without wasting energy in between.

Make sure your heating system is working efficiently

Sometimes the problem is actually how well your heating works. An inefficient heating system has to work harder to produce the same level of warmth, which means higher costs at the end of the day.

Regular checks and professional boiler installation services to keep your heating well-maintained can make a noticeable difference. When everything is running as it should, your home heats up faster and stays warm for longer, reducing the temptation to leave the heater on all day.

Create warmth in simple, everyday ways

Finally, don’t underestimate the small things that can keep you warm like cooking, having hot drinks, and moving around the house. Even opening curtains during the day to let sunlight in can bump the temperature up slightly.

Keeping warm in winter doesn’t have to mean watching the heater all day. With a few thoughtful changes, you can stay comfortable, keep costs under control, and enjoy the colder months without constantly worrying about the thermostat.

In 2025, we already know that luxury watches offer more than just exceptional craftsmanship. They represent a compelling investment opportunity. A pre-owned luxury watch from a prestigious brand is considered a tangible asset that holds and even increases in value over time. However, for many, this vast market can feel intimidating with so many attractive options lurking.

If you’re planning to buy pre-owned luxury watches with investment potential, here are the top models, according to The Luxury Hut.

1. Rolex Submariner ‘Hulk’

Few pre-owned men’s watches command the respect of the Rolex Submariner, a diving icon since its debut in 1953. The Submariner is widely regarded as the blue-chip investment model, with the stainless steel variants enjoying incredibly high demand. One such variant is the Rolex Submariner ‘Hulk’ (116610LV) that consistently sells above retail in the secondary market.

 Why it holds value:

• The ‘Hulk’ is a distinctive and iconic watch, easily distinguishable for its unique green colour scheme. This stainless steel Submariner equips a green bezel and a matching dial, earning it the nickname ‘Hulk’.

• Its discontinuation in 2020 makes it hard to find and increases its desirability on the pre-owned market. This limited supply, coupled with high demand, is a key driver of its value appreciation.

• The Submariner Hulk appeals to collectors who seek discontinued pieces with enduring popularity.

2. Patek Philippe Nautilus 3700

When Gerald Genta designed the Patek Philippe Nautilus in the 1970s, few could anticipate its explosive rise decades later. Talking about monetary investment, the Patek Philippe Nautilus 3700, launched in 1976, is considered an excellent option due to its status as the original luxury sports watch, with a distinctive design, extreme rarity, and iconic heritage.

Why it holds value:

• Its distinctive porthole-shaped case and integrated bracelet design, created by Gerald Genta, have remained highly influential and sought after even after decades, making it historically significant.

• Only 3500 units of Nautilus 3700 in stainless steel were produced, making it exceptionally rare. This extreme scarcity, combined with massive global demand, drives significant price appreciation on the secondary market.

• The Patek Philippe Nautilus collection as a whole consistently commands top prices, and vintage models like the Nautilus ref. 3700 have seen their value multiply significantly over the years, with rare variations such as those with ‘double-signed’ dials fetching even higher prices.

3. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ‘Jumbo’ Extra-Thin  

Another Gerald Genta masterpiece is the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak that debuted in 1972 as the world’s first luxury sports watch in stainless steel. The Royal Oak is now one of the most coveted investment watches globally, and the Royal Oak ‘Jumbo’ Extra-Thin 15202ST sees one of the strongest demands.

Why it holds value:

• The AP Royal Oak ‘Jumbo’ Extra-Thin 15202ST is the closest modern version of Gerald Genta’s 1972 original 5402ST and hence, enjoys a dedicated fan base.

• For enthusiasts, the stainless steel case, the octagonal bezel secured by eight hexagonal screws, deep blue ‘Petite Tapisserie’ dial and integrated bracelet is not just a design but a symbol of watchmaking revolution.

• The discontinuation of the model in 2022 made it more valuable as demand for the remaining pieces on the secondary market increased. The prices for the Royal Oak ‘Jumbo’15202ST indicate an annual increase of 15-20%.

4. OMEGA Speedmaster 'Silver Snoopy Award' 50th Anniversary

No list is complete without the OMEGA Speedmaster. This watch holds a place in history that few watches can rival, and the Speedmaster 'Silver Snoopy Award' edition enjoys huge demand due to its unique design, historical significance and limited availability. The watch celebrates the Silver Snoopy Award NASA presented to Omega in 1970 for its role in the Apollo 13 mission, and Omega released the Speedmaster 'Silver Snoopy Award' Ref. 310.32.42.50.02.001 in 2020 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of this event.

Why it holds value:

• The watch commemorates the major achievement in the 1970 Apollo 13 Mission. This authentic connection to space history drives high collector appeal.

• The Omega Speedmaster 'Silver Snoopy Award' Ref. 310.32.42.50.02.001 is a special-edition timepiece, not a limited edition. Still, Omega has failed to meet the incredibly high demand for this piece, resulting in multi-year wait lists at retail. So, naturally, the model sells at a high premium on the pre-owned market, with some selling for multiple times their original price on the secondary market.

• The watch features a creative design with an animated case back that shows a Silver Snoopy in a Command Module flying around the far side of the Moon when the chronograph is activated. The Earth disc in the background rotates once per minute. This artistic mechanical innovation highly captivates the collectors.

5. Rolex Daytona 116500LN

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona has evolved from a niche racing chronograph model into one of the most valued and sought-after pre-owned watches to invest in.  Today, the Daytona stands as one of the most successful watches, commanding premium resale prices. And among all the variants, the Daytona 116500LN is the most valued.

Why it holds value:

• The Daytona 116500LN is known for its iconic design, featuring a stainless steel case, ceramic bezel, and a clear dial. The white dial version showcases black-rimmed chronograph sub-dials, offering the striking ‘Panda’ look, which is most sought after.

• As a discontinued model, the 116500LN is considered the ‘last of the line’, adding to its value and appeal for collectors. This scarcity has created high demand in the secondary market, where it sells for far more than its original price.

• This model is significant for reintroducing the ceramic bezel in the steel Daytona, adding to its historic significance.

Final Thought

The pre-owned watch market generally follows cycles, with short-term corrections, but top-tier models tend to rebound and continue their upward trajectory over time. The models listed above have a proven track record, enjoy strong collector demand and enduring style, ensuring you can get the thrill of owning some of the world’s most loved timepieces with the reassurance of long-term value retention.

For those seeking pre-owned men’s watches that hold value, check out The Luxury Hut’s extensive collection of pre-owned watches, including top models from the world’s most prestigious watch brands. Discover some of the finest pre-owned men’s watches at unbeatable prices, all fully authenticated and verified by experts. Shop the full range online or visit in-store to try the watches in person. Contact 0207 242 9160 for any queries.