A Holiday Shoppers’ Cozy Gift Guide

 

The weather is getting colder, which means it’s time to start getting cozy! Everyone has a friend, spouse, family member or coworker who is perpetually icy. Look no further if you’re seeking the ideal gift to offer them this year. The best gifts are ones that come from a thoughtful place and which will warm the recipient’s heart. From unique Homesick Candles to custom plushies, we have warm, welcoming gift suggestions to keep them toasty after a long day out in the cold. 

Candles

What better way to spend the cold months than lighting a candle and curling up with your favorite book or movie? Lighting a candle to set the mood is such a nice touch as the weather starts cooling off. There are endless cozy candles to choose from, all with different vibes, to go with any mood. 

Harry Potter™ candles are perfect for the bookworm in your life. Candles inspired by each Hogwarts house will get any Harry Potter™ fan in the mood to snuggle up and crack open their favorite book in the series or rewatch their favorite movie. Festive holiday candle gifts are amazing for the colder months, as well. Cinnamon, pumpkin and pine are some of the most popular holiday candle scents, but there are so many more to choose from. Nothing gets you in the holiday spirit like the smell of your favorite holiday treats! These scents can elicit a nostalgic reaction that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

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Our sense of smell is closely related to the parts of the brain that govern our emotions. Many scents are known to produce various effects in the brain. Certain smells, like lavender and jasmine, might encourage feelings of tranquility and relaxation. Concentration may be improved by the stimulating properties of citrus, eucalyptus and mint. Some scents, like rosemary and pine, are even said to elevate mood. It’s as easy as changing the fragrance of a place to alter the way it feels. Combine a candle with a soft blanket or some hot cocoa bombs for the perfect cozy gift this year.

Reed Diffusers

Oil diffusers are an amazing alternative to burning candles. Some apartments don’t allow the use of candles, and some people may have pets or children they can’t trust around an open flame. Reed diffusers also take up less space and can be put in locations where candles can’t, such as on tight shelves or near drapery. Oil diffusers are very versatile when it comes to placement options. 

Reed diffusers work by adding reeds to a vase-like container that contains fragrance or essential oil. The reeds extend past the container’s mouth and upward into the air. Natural long, narrow capillaries function as a straw to absorb the oil. The smell is released into the room once the oil gets to the exposed part of the reed! Reed diffusers may be placed practically everywhere there is space because of their extreme adaptability. Even better, they match any style of decor flawlessly! Reed diffusers come in such a wide variety of scents, it might be hard to choose just one.

Tea or Coffee Accessories

Is there anything better than pouring yourself a cup of your favorite hot drink when it’s cold outside? Warming up from the inside out with a tasty treat is the best feeling on a cold day. Whether it’s a morning cup of joe or a nighttime cup of tea, the drink lovers in your life will appreciate you thinking of them.

Coffee aficionados can never have too many kitchen gadgets to experiment with. Giving them a gift that is special in both form and function will thrill them. The best coffee makers for rushing out the door are those that use pods. Giving them a bean grinder or frother will enable them to experiment with brewing specialty drinks at home. There are a huge number of tea accessories out there too. There are countless unique tea bag holders and loose-leaf infusers on the market. Let them try out some new flavors by getting them a tea sampler. 

It’s also, of course, hot cocoa season! Cocoa bombs have become so popular on the internet lately and really aren’t super hard to make. Cocoa bombs are hollow chocolate balls that contain hot cocoa mix and other treats like marshmallows or peppermint pieces. When submerged in hot milk, they melt and release all the goodies inside. Once they begin melting, all you have to do is stir your cup of hot cocoa until mixed. They’re relatively easy and inexpensive to make and are a total hit. With only a few simple ingredients, you can customize your cocoa bombs to fit the taste of anyone you know.

Weighted Blanket

Weighted blankets are some of the comfiest kinds of blankets. There are two types of weighted blankets: woven and duvet. Woven weighted blankets are made with exceptionally dense yarn, as opposed to duvet-style blankets, which have plastic or glass beads stitched inside. Bead-filled blankets include square pockets sewn into the design to hold the beads in place. 

These blankets, which range in weight from 5 to 30 pounds, are based on the Deep Pressure Stimulation (DPS) therapy technique. DPS provides a controlled amount of pressure in an effort to encourage serenity and lessen tension. The weight of a weighted blanket is comforting rather than confining or burdensome. 

If you're concerned that the blanket you choose will be too heavy, starting with a lighter one might be useful. There are even fuzzy and machine-washable weighted blankets available. There’s no doubt that the comfort lover you know will absolutely love one of these relaxing blankets.

Rechargeable Hand Warmers

Hand warmers are ideal for anyone who loves to stay warm in the cold. They’re great for outdoor winter activities such as skiing or sledding and can keep little ones warm all winter long. The problem with disposable hand warmers is their short life. Constantly having to buy more and tossing the old ones can feel like such a waste. Many of them also have the ability to adjust the temperature, which is impossible with disposable warmers. They also last longer per use.  

That’s why rechargeable hand warmers are such great options! They make the perfect gift for parents, winter sports fans and even people who work in cold environments. Pairing this gift with the recipient’s favorite sports team gear or other accessories for their favorite winter activity is a thoughtful combo that will keep them warm all winter long.

Plushies

Soft, squishable plushies are a great cozy gift for kids and young adults. The popularity of stuffed plush animals is ever on the rise among young people. Cuddling up with a special plushie is so comfy, especially when it’s cold outside. Some people even use them as decor or throw pillows. There are plushies of every style to fit any personality. 

On top of that, there are stuffed versions of nearly any character you can think of. There are plush TV characters, horror movie monsters, video game icons and so much more. You can find a plushie to fit into nearly any niche or subculture. There are even places where you can design your own custom plushie! The little snuggle bugs you know will absolutely adore anything squishable to cuddle with this holiday season, that’s for sure.

Comfort Food Cookbook

Eating your favorite comfort food is like getting a hug from the inside. Scientifically, eating comfort foods does affect your mood. Not only do these foods give us a sense of social connection to those we’re eating with, but they also often trigger the release of dopamine in our brains. This release can also be associated with the nostalgia of eating these foods in happy times in the past. There’s no doubt that comfort food is a universal language we all understand.

How many comfort food recipes do you know, though? So many people don’t even realize their favorite foods are really not that difficult to cook. The expectation that cooking has to be a long, difficult process is a thing of the past. With all the kitchen tech available these days, it’s easier than ever to cook your favorite comfort foods right at home. Giving your loved ones a cookbook full of tasty foods is one of the easiest things you can do. On top of that, pairing it with a new kitchen gadget like an air fryer or an instant pot will make it even easier for them to cook all their favorite meals without having to fork out tons of money eating out.

Bath Accessories

Can we all agree that crawling into bed after a toasty bath is a top-tier feeling? With so much stress affecting us in our daily lives, self care is such a necessity. People often overlook themselves when it comes to care. Many of our friends and family are putting everyone else’s needs before their own, which leaves them feeling tired and burnt out. If you know someone like this, bath accessories might be just the push they need to start giving themself the personal attention they deserve. 

Bath bombs are always a winner, of course, but did you know you can make them yourself? Like the cocoa bombs, they don’t require many ingredients and are highly customizable. The handmade nature of this gift makes it even more personal and thoughtful. You can use essential oils and dried herbs to fit your giftee’s needs or you can keep it simple and create some basic bath bombs with a nice scent. 

Comfy robes and bath slippers are another super satisfying gift for anyone in need of a little more self-care. Especially in the cooler months, getting out of the bath or shower can be a daunting task. Leaving the warmth and comfort of the water might be the hardest thing you’ll do all winter. Luckily, fluffy bathrobes and slippers exist, so your loved ones can go straight from the warmth of their shower to the warmth of their snuggly robe. This makes the transition so much less abrupt, and that totally counts as self-care.

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SAD Lamp

Seasonal Affective Disorder impacts 10 million Americans. Chances are, you know at least one of them. Seasonal changes can cause depression known as “seasonal affective disorder” (SAD). When the number of daylight hours starts to decrease in the late fall and early winter, SAD begins. It typically lasts until the spring, when the days become longer. The fundamental cause of this mood disorder in certain people is a lack of sunlight, which changes the chemistry of their brains. The good news is that SAD generally responds to therapy very effectively.

Light therapy is the top treatment for this common disorder. It’s very simple and, usually, very effective. Light therapy lamps are all over the internet and come in any style you can imagine. They range from inexpensive, small lamps with a modest output to huge lamps worth hundreds of dollars that can light up an entire room. They even have portable ones for friends and family who travel often. These lamps make great gifts, even for people who don’t think they are affected by SAD. Having a little extra light in the darker months can still positively impact your mood.

Conclusion

Coming home and snuggling up is the perfect feeling after a long day battling the cold. Nothing feels better than dethawing yourself and taking a nice long bath or toasty shower. The people in your life will greatly appreciate the time and effort put into their well-being with these thoughtful, cozy gifts. Whether you’re keeping them physically warm or going for a more heartwarming gift, these gifts are sure to bring that warm and fuzzy feeling to anyone you know this holiday season.

 

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