Penguin hot water bottle with knitted hat

According to the manufacturer the plush has a soft texture, and much of the charm comes from the stitching: the eyes and the pink cheeks are embroidered rather than printed, which gives the face real depth. The beak and the feet glow orange against the black plush, while the cream belly forms the pale panel in the middle.

The mint green knitted hat with its red pompom sits on the head, and the blue and white striped scarf lies around the neck. Together they give the penguin its wintry look, with the red, blue and orange accents standing out clearly against the dark base colour. The back is also made of plush and carries a fabric label.

• Plush cover in acrylic and polyester
• Rubber bottle inside
• Capacity of 900 ml
• Measures 45 x 16 x 9 cm
• Mint green knitted hat with red pompom
• Blue and white striped scarf
• Embroidered eyes and pink cheeks
• Orange beak and orange feet

The bottle inside holds 900 ml. That is a generous fill, enough for a hot water bottle to sit comfortably on your tummy, against your back or down at the foot of the bed. The bottle itself is rubber, and the acrylic and polyester cover lies softly over it.

On the outside the penguin measures 45 x 16 x 9 cm, so it is considerably longer than it is wide. If you are giving it as a present, factor that length into your wrapping: a 45 cm penguin needs more paper than a flat bottle, and in a gift bag the pompom hat tends to peek out of the top.

Acrylic and polyester outside, rubber inside: the combination makes this a hot water bottle you are happy to pick up. Together with the embroidered details and the knitted accessories, it becomes an object that looks like more than a piece of equipment, including on the days when it simply stays on the pillow or on the sofa.

This penguin is a gift for people who feel the cold quickly, who like long evenings on the sofa, or who go to bed with chilly feet. Older children enjoy the face and the hat, adults enjoy the warmth and the fact that the bottle does not look clinical.

The wintry styling makes it an easy choice for Christmas and St Nicholas Day, and at a Secret Santa it stands out without going over the top. It also works as a birthday present in the colder months, or as a kind gesture for someone who has to stay at home for a while. Even people who already own a hot water bottle get something new here, because the penguin doubles as decoration on the bed.

General good practice with hot water bottles applies here too: do not use boiling water, do not overfill, and check the stopper before use.

As a present the penguin pairs well with a packet of tea, thick socks or a good book. For Christmas a wide ribbon tied around the scarf is often enough to turn it into a parcel. At a Secret Santa it needs no explaining: the hat, the scarf and the face speak for themselves the moment the paper comes off. And if you are visiting someone who is recovering at home, it brings warmth and a friendly face in one go.

How much water does the bottle hold? The bottle inside the plush cover holds 900 ml.

How big is the penguin overall? It measures 45 x 16 x 9 cm, so around 45 cm in length.

What is the hot water bottle made of? The cover is acrylic and polyester, and the bottle inside is rubber.

Can the cover be removed or washed? We have no manufacturer information on this point, so we cannot promise it.

What details does the penguin have? A mint green knitted hat with a red pompom, a blue and white striped scarf, an orange beak and feet, plus embroidered eyes and pink cheeks.

Who is this hot water bottle a good gift for? For older children, adults and penguin fans, for Christmas, St Nicholas Day, birthdays, Secret Santa or as a get well present.