This is the time of year I look forward to the most. Although I welcome the changing of any season, autumn and winter are by far my favourites. I know many of you will be lamenting the end of summer but if like me you prefer the cooler months, you’ll be looking forward to the darker evenings, the crisp, chill in the breeze and the appearance of bright berries in the bushes. By far the best thing about the end of the year is that we get to stay indoors and get warm and cosy and I am here for it. I think we need to appeal to all of our senses when we deep dive into cosiness so I’ve made a list of all the cosy things and I recommend you try them all.
1. Dressing gowns and warm socks – At the end of the day when you’re ready to hunker down for the evening, it’s imperative that you remove all outdoor wear and climb into your jammies. Wrap up in a thick, soft dressing gown and pop on some comfy warm socks. I hear that cashmere bed socks are quite something but seeing as I can’t be bothered with handwashing anything ever, I prefer to treat myself to the cheaper and more cheerful variety – preferably sporting a cute animal pattern or at the very least stripes.
2. Scented candles – if you want your home to smell warm and delicious with the added atmosphere created by flickering candlelight then scented candles are a good place to start. For autumn I always buy the Paddywax Hygge tobacco + vanilla scented candle – it’s luxurious, slightly smoky and sweet and creates a sleepy, comforting vibe. For winter, it’s all about the Christmas spice scents. I have tried many but I always come back to the Marks and Spencer Mandarin, cinnamon and clove’ scented candle. It is warm and welcoming with a discernible hint of Christmas cheer – naturally botanical and not too overpowering.
3. Cushions and blankets – if you’ve stripped your sofa of its warmer layers for summer, now if the time to bring the cushions and blankets out of hibernation. If you’re treating yourself to new blankets I personally enjoy a super soft fleece type material that doesn’t feel too itchy and is (most importantly) resistant to cat claws. For extra warmth, add a hot water bottled under your blanket to get really toasty.
4. Hot drinks – now it is very clear that hot chocolate must be the all-time most cosy drink but for some bizarre reason (considering how much I adore chocolate) I’m just not a big fan of hot chocolate – it’s sad but if you love it then have one and have mine too. My hot drink of choice in the winter is (decaf) earl grey tea with oat milk. It’s the best combination of tasty and creamy and feels a bit special compared to my usual decaf black coffee. I want to give an additional shout out to loose leaf chai latte. I don’t personally drink this fancy beverage but my other half does and the ritual of warming the milk and chai over the stove and filling the air with the smell of Christmas seems absolutely delightful – I thoroughly enjoy it just as an observer so if you like the sound of it then it might just your cup of tea.
5. Re-watch an old favourite series – If you have a few favourite TV series then this time of year is the best for re-watching and treating yourself to that fuzzy feeling of familiarity and comfort. The all-time favourite for me is the one and only Gavin and Stacey – this works particularly well if you time it so you’re watching at least one of the Christmas specials on or around actual Christmas Day. Other favourite sitcoms include The Vicar of Dibly, Miranda and Motherland. If you fancy a bit of classic feel- good drama, then my tops picks would be the original Pride and Prejudice (BBC, 1995), Downton Abbey or Call the Midwife.
6.Reading material – If you’re a fan of curling up on the sofa with a good book then you’ve already created the perfect environment to do so. Most people have a favourite book genre so go with what you love. I personally have quite a wide-ranging taste in fiction but if I was going to recommend just one winter read it would undoubtedly be the classic 1843 novella A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, there are some lovely editions out there, I have a fancy red and gold edition that would also make a great gift. If you’re not a reader then you could also listen to the audio version or even better watch the absolute best ever film adaptation, ‘A Muppet’s Christmas Carol’ – I’m not joking, if you haven’t watched it, my recommendation is backed by a very respectable 7.8 rating on IMDB.
