Blankets are an everyday essential. Whether going on a picnic, camping trip, long car journey, or wanting to keep cosy at home, blankets are a fantastic, economically responsible and inexpensive solution. Blankets also make great corporate gifts and wonderful gifts for elderly relatives or new born babies. There are lots of different types of blankets to choose from, many with carefully thought out features to make them most suited to specific situations and requirements. Here is a concise explanation of some of the most popular and useful varieties of blanket.

For regular travellers, travel blankets are an essential convenience. Blankets provided by airlines are often thin and scratchy and a number of the most popular airlines charge for the use of a blanket. Travel blankets are made from exceptionally soft and lightweight materials, but do not compromise warmth. They also come in their own specially designed zip-up pouch, easily small enough to fit into carry-on luggage without taking up too much space. Deals include a combo of travel blanket and thoughtfully designed travel pillow.

Hugme blankets are the ultimate solution for keeping warm and comfortable at home and whilst away. It can sometimes be awkward to keep warm under a blanket whilst simultaneously carrying out tasks. A regular blanket might slip off. Hugme blankets are designed with sleeves and are extra-long in length, covering the whole body. Rather like a dressing gown, but without the heavy texture a hugme blanket is great if you are feeling under the weather - move around without feeling a chill.

Embroidered fleece blankets are an essential item for camping trips. Rolling up small, with special ties, they can be easily packed and transported. Fleece blankets are an excellent alternative to heavy rugs for trips to the beach. Their lightweight material won't retain dust or sand, and will become almost completely clear with one simple shake. Or, sitting around a camp fire, fleece blankets are light and warm but, unlike some other materials will not over heat. Many are also fire treated and will singe rather than catching alight as easily as a cotton or wool blanket.

Perfect for placing on slightly damp ground, these carefully designed picnic blankets have waterproof nylon on the bottom side (which also wipes clean if it becomes muddied), but a soft fabric on the other side for additional comfort. These picnic blankets have an additional carry handle - it couldn't be simpler to fold and move the blanket around; no more struggling to walk in the country with cumbersome, heavy rugs and damp blankets.

Blankets are intended primarily to offer comfort and warmth - as such, many of the above blankets are specially designed to maximise these effects. Vitally, this thoughtful design process has not driven up the cost and all the above blankets can be purchased very inexpensively. Blankets can also be a perfect cheap alternative to expensive fuel bills in the home - always have a perfect blanket nearby and avoid drafts.