There are two things that you should know about me. First, I am a person who is frequently cold, especially when I’m indoors and working. Second, I love to buy gifts for people, and I like to help others figure out the right gift to get a loved one. Even though a lot of us are still working from home, and thus in full control of the thermostat, tons of people are back in the workplace. Most of the places where I worked had their thermostats set too low for my tastes. And apparently, a Slanket is not “professional” apparel.

So here are some items that I use during the fall and winter to stay warm. Most of these are employed when I’m copyediting at my computer, but some are for when I go on walks or travel. I tried to select items that I’ve used many times, that come from decent companies, and that could be used by a wide range of people. I will be including links to the respective companies’ websites whenever possible, so you may find these items for cheaper somewhere else.

Apparel

1. Heat Holder Socks

Several years ago, my mother-in-law got me a pair of Heat Holders’ Camellia Original Crew Socks. Every winter I wear these socks whenever I’m going to be outside for an extended period of time, and they really help keep my feet warm. The interior of the sock is soft and fleecy, and not at all itchy. They also don’t cut into my ankles, unlike most thicker socks. If it’s well below zero degrees Fahrenheit, I’ll pair these with some sock liners.

2. REI Co-op Silk Liner Crew Socks

A pair of light ivory colored sock liners.

Speaking of sock liners, here are the ones that I use a lot. I like to wear these underneath bulkier socks like either the Heat Holders or some boot socks. These add a fair bit of warmth but don’t add much bulk. Last winter I wore these on a six-mile hike around Shelburne Farms (https://shelburnefarms.org/) and they kept my feet dry and warm.

3. Vive Arthritis Gloves

My hands are frequently cold, but because so much of my work is done on a computer, I need to be able to easily press keyboard keys. I bought myself these Vive arthritis gloves two years ago. These allow me to still be dexterous while providing some light support and warmth. I’m currently wearing them as I type up this list and I can also wear them while knitting.

4. The Raven Writing Gloves

If you or your recipient want some fingerless gloves that a bit more Gothic than the Vive gloves, consider these Edgar Allan Poe gloves from Storiarts. These are nice and warm and go up farther on my arms. Storiarts also has gloves inspired by Sherlock Holmes, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, A Christmas Carol, and more. I like that these aren’t bulky, which makes them easy to type in.

5. Icebug Metro2 Women’s BUGrip

Icebug is a Swedish company that prides itself on being sustainable and in making gear for tackling winter with. Living in Vermont, there are often icy sidewalks and driveways in the winter. I’m lucky to live in a place where the sidewalks are regularly plowed, but there are going to be times late at night or right after fresh snow, slush, or freezing ice falls when I need to be outside. And that’s where my Icebugs come in clutch. They are not cheap, but they have been so worthwhile for me.

When I’m wearing them, I feel incredibly stable on icy/snowy pavement. Previously I was worried about slipping and falling on black ice, but when I have these on, I can walk at my normal pace. They are also quite comfortable for walking long distances in, more so than my regular winter boots. In the past I’ve tried products like Yak Trax on regular boots, but I find them hard to put on. Additionally, I’ve had Yak Trax suddenly snap off my boots. With Icebugs, the cleats are built right into the sole. Note that you’re not going to want to wear these to drive in. And if you’re going to be inside for any length of time, you may want to bring a second pair of shoes or boots with you to change into.

Accessories/Home Goods

6. Brookstone Heated Throw

A plush gray blanket is draped over a cream colored armchair.

This was a very welcome gift from my mother-in-law several years ago. I realize that a lot of the gifts she has given me over the years have been things to keep me warm. This may be in part because whenever I stay with her and my father-in-law, I tend to wear multiple layers at all time. My in-laws are wonderful folks, but they keep their house too cold. This heated throw is great because you can toss it in the washing machine and dryer (make sure to follow the directions). I keep my throw on my side of the bed and use it every night in the winter. I like to turn mine on about fifteen minutes or so before I go to bed in order to allow it time to heat up. You can also lay your pajamas on top so they’ll be nice and toasty warm when you put them on. I love this throw so, so much.

7. Little Peeps Pillow Heated Neck Wrap

A light gray neckwrap with a floral design on it is laying along a white brick background.

I got this neck wrap in 2019 and use it basically every day in the winter. The one I bought has a different pattern on it than what’s in the picture, but there are multiple colors and patterns available. What I love about this particular neck wrap is that it is segmented into three parts, this means that the flax seeds inside aren’t going to settle into one end. The cover is removable and can be put in the washing machine. The Etsy shop Little Peeps Pillow also offers scented versions. I put mine in the microwave for about two and a half minutes and it will stay hot for about half an hour and warm for about an hour or so.

Food and Drink

8. Lake Champlain Chocolates Spicy Aztec Hot Chocolate

A can of Lake Champlain Chocolate's Spicy Aztec Hot Chocolate against a white backdrop. Next to it is a chili pepper and some chunks of chocolate.

There are plenty of brands of hot chocolate out there, and all of them will warm you up. What makes Lake Champlain Chocolates Spicy Aztec Hot Chocolate special is that this hot chocolate is a bit spicy. The spice comes from cinnamon, ancho chili, and chipotle pepper. Don’t worry that this is going to be too spicy, there’s really just a hint of cinnamon and peppers among all the chocolate. I like having this with some mini marshmallows and whipped cream. The ingredients are Fair Trade certified and organic. Lake Champlain Chocolates is also a certified B Corporation that donates a lot to local organizations.

9. Garden of Eatin’ Red Hot Blues

A bag of Garden of Eatin' Red Hot Blues. The bag is mostly bright red.

I’ve been getting these chips for years, especially in the winter. They are spicy but not burn-your-mouth spicy. Whenever I feel like I’m getting a cold, I like to have some of these because they help clear my sinuses out. They’re also a great snack for board game night.

10. Superseedz Somewhat Spicy

A bag of Superseedz’s Somewhat Spicy pumpkin seeds. The bag is mostly white and is against a white backdrop.

Another spicy snacking option is Superseedz’s Somewhat Spicy pumpkin seeds. The brand uses very large European pumpkin seeds. As a vegetarian, it can be hard to find sources of iron that don’t involve eating a ton of spinach. Superseedz are one of my favorite snacks, and I usually have a bag or two in my apartment. As the name suggests, these seeds aren’t all that spicy but they do have a nice kick to them.

11. Kestrel Coffee

A disposable coffee cup is opened to show the contents. The drink is a warm brown color with swirls of white milk. — Kestrel’s Denizen

An orange Kestrel Coffee Roasters cup is being held up near a green street sign that reads: Maple St. — Kestrel’s Maple Street Fog

If you’re ever in the Burlington, Vermont, area, you should check out Kestrel Coffee Roasters, my favorite local coffee shop. They have two locations in Burlington and one in South Burlington, and offer homemade treats and lunch items. Even if you aren’t in Vermont, they do mail order of their in-house roasted beans. They have two drinks that are great on cold days. The first is the Denizen, a spicy maple latte. The second is the Maple Street Fog, which is made with black tea, steamed oat milk, and maple syrup. Both drinks are comforting and warming. Kestrel has easy online ordering and they build tips into the price of each drink, which I appreciate. Charlotte and Johnny Steverson, the co-owners, are friendly, helpful, and lovely to chat with. Johnny loves manga so every time I see him, we end up chatting for a couple of minutes about manga, which is always nice.

Crafts

12. Knitting or Crochet Project

A knitted afghan in four shades of gray, moving from light gray to dark gray, is draped over a black office chair.

If your gift recipient is a knitter or crocheter, they would probably really appreciate a gift certificate to Webs or to a local yarn store. Webs offers physical and electronic gift cards in amounts from $5 to $200. Last year my aunt had me pick out yarn to make an afghan with. I chose four different shades of gray Plymouth Encore Worsted yarn because it is machine washable and not scratchy. Plymouth has a ton of free patterns available on their website. I used the pattern for the Reversible Afghan F164. What’s great about knitting a large item is that you can drape the finished portion over your lap, which helps keep you warm as you knit.

I hope that one or more of the items on this list helps keep a favorite person of yours nice and warm this winter.

Holiday Gifts for the Person in Your Life Who Is Always Cold