Gear

14 Gifts for People Who Are Perpetually Cold

From smart coffee mugs to a weighted blanket, these picks will make your loved ones feel warm and fuzzy—inside and out.

It’s tough out there for a person who’s always cold. When winter comes, your perpetually cold loved one is hiding under bedsheets, reheating their coffee cup, or fiddling with the thermostat when your back is turned (they’re probably doing it now). This year, give the gift of warmth to your loved one who is constantly shivering, sniffing, and suffering. From protective layers for socially distanced outdoor adventures to accessories that make work-from-home setups extra cozy, here’s how to show your frigid friend you care.

For more ideas, check out our many holiday gift guides, including Gift Subscriptions for Kids, Gift Ideas for Amateur Bartenders, and Gifts to Upgrade Beauty Routines.

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Updated November 2020: We've fixed up pricing and added some new items.

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  • Image may contain Accessories Tie Accessory and Necktie
    Photograph: Rumpl

    A Go-Anywhere Blanket

    Rumpl NanoLoft Puffy Blanket

    Does your loved one have a Linus-like obsession with their blanket? Gently swap it out for this upgrade from Rumpl. The water-resistant DWR finish makes it ideal for curling up on a park bench or throwing into the trunk for a spontaneous road trip. It looks just as gorgeous indoors too, with a host of colors and patterns to choose from.

    $134 at REI
    $179 at Nordstrom
  • Photograph: Gravity Blanket

    A Weighted Blanket

    Gravity Blanket

    OK, but what if your shivering beloved needs 25 pounds of pure blanket? The Gravity Blanket is weighted with beads and designed for restless sleepers. It’s not a cure-all for insomnia, says one of our editors who tested it out. But it is warm, and it will keep your roomie swaddled like a blissful burrito all night long. Check out more of our favorite weighted blankets here.

    $189 $142 at Amazon
    $195 at Gravity
  • Photograph: Ryan Bent

    A Toasty Headband

    Skida Headband

    Don’t let the winter chill deter your loved one from their favorite sports. WIRED Senior Writer Adrienne So wears her headband from Skida on cold-weather runs. These headbands are made in Vermont and designed to keep sweat from getting in your loved one's eyes, all while keeping them protected from the headwinds. You can choose between the lightweight Nordic headband or the microfleece-lined Alpine for extra coziness. Just one question remains: Which of the (many) colors and patterns will you pick?

    $18 at Backcountry
  • Photograph: Ember

    A Smart Coffee Cup

    Ember Heated Coffee Mug

    There’s nothing more loathsome than pouring a hot cup of coffee, forgetting about it, then swallowing a mouthful of cold, bitter bean-water half an hour later. Save your loved one from those odious mornings with a temperature-regulating ceramic mug. Just pour out a hot cuppa, select the desired temperature on the Ember app, and enjoy hot coffee all day. One WIRED editor couldn’t get enough of his Ember mug, which can now also track caffeine consumption.

    $100 at Amazon
    $100 at Target
  • Photograph: Lululemon

    A Shapeshifting Scarf

    Lululemon Vinyasa Scarf

    Just because it's cold outside doesn't mean your loved one has to wander around like a shapeless Michelin Man. Help them stay warm and on-trend with an elegant scarf. Thanks to a series of snap fasteners, this one can transform from an infinity scarf to a vest and back.

    $58 at Amazon
    $48 at Lululemon
  • Photograph: Vornado

    A Chic Space Heater

    Vornado VHEAT Vintage Metal Heater

    This space heater’s got serious style. The retro exterior is modeled after Vornado's original 1945 Vornado fan, with 21st-century tech updates. It has two heat settings, a cozy 750 watts and a steamier 1,500 watts. WIRED writer Matt Jancer has one and loves it. "I think it might melt some polar ice caps if I leave it on any longer," he says. Good thing there's a safety shut-off feature.

    $152 at Amazon
    $160 at Vornado
  • Photograph: BedJet

    A Warm Night's Sleep

    BedJet Bedjet V2

    Beds are always too cold. Pre-heat 'em with the BedJet V2. It pumps hot air up through a flexible duct, aiming a flow of heat to the spot between the mattress and the top sheet. You can also turn on a cooling setting from the app, but what perpetually cold person in their right mind would do such a thing?

    $399 $359 at BedJet
  • Photograph: Madewell

    A Bright Beanie

    Madewell Recycled Cotton Cuffed Beanie

    Get your frostbitten friend an ultrasoft beanie. This one from Madewell is made of a blend of recycled cotton and polyester—a gift that will make them feel warm and feel good about the planet. We also like Madewell's new recycled cashmere turtleneck, which is one of our favorite recycled and upcycled products this year.

    $35 at Madewell
  • Photograph: Tea Drop

    Tea Time in No Time

    Tea Drops Best Tea Gift Set

    The only thing more comforting than a cup of tea is a cup you barely have to wait for. Instead of steeping, Tea Drops land in a mug of hot water with a satisfying plop and dissolve into a lightly sweetened, aromatic pool of bliss. The "drops" are clusters of organic tea leaves, packed tightly into charming shapes and wrapped in recyclable packets. This sampler set comes in a ribbon-ready box—basically, if you’re gunning for your gift to end up on your loved one's Instagram, this is the one to get.

    $14 at Tea Drops
    $17 at Amazon
  • Photograph: Joseph Shin

    A Classy-as-Hell Cocktail

    SoulBoxer Brandy Old Fashioned

    Tea is cool and all. But when your loved one needs something a little stronger, pour them out an Old Fashioned. SoulBoxer’s is pre-mixed, so your loved one can close their eyes, take a sip, and time travel to a cocktail bar in the Before Times. Our editors love this libation so much it made our 2020 wish list.

    $25 at SoulBoxer
  • Photograph: KINGY HSU

    A Super Soft Base Layer

    Icebreaker Siren Sweetheart Long-Sleeve Top

    The secret to staying warm starts with an excellent base layer. This one from Icebreaker is slim and stretchy, with a V-shaped neckline that can slip invisibly under a sweater. The Merino wool is super breathable, so it’s a cozy pick for a wintry hike—or a night in streaming holiday movies.

    $80 at Backcountry
  • Photograph: Prana

    A Supremely Snuggly Jacket 

    Prana Polar Escape Jacket

    Ask any cold person and they’ll say their dream garment is actually just a blanket in disguise. Prana’s jacket gets as close to that reality as possible while giving your friend a stylish layer to take out on chilly walks. Plus, it’s made from 100% recycled polyester, so it’s easy on the planet, too.

    $119 at Backcountry
  • Photograph: Darn Tough

    A Mighty Pair of Socks

    Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Cushion

    WIRED writer Matt Jancer has worn thicker Darn Toughs while mountain climbing in 20-degree snowstorms. These wool ones should be enough to shield your loved one from frostbite and cold floors in the morning. They dry fast, so you can be sure their toes are protected every step of the way.

    $23 at REI
    $23 at Darn Tough
  • Photograph: The Folio Society

    A Good Read

    The Folio Society The Shining (Illustrated)

    Stephen King’s ghostly masterpiece gets a haunting update in this edition by Folio Society. Illustrations by Edward Kinsella render the shadowy scenes of an isolated winter at the Overlook Hotel. It pairs perfectly with a blanket, an old-fashioned, and a crackling fire.

    $90 at The Folio Society
Pia Ceres is focused on making WIRED.com run seamlessly, whether she's crafting headlines or adapting print stories for web. She's sometimes a writer and always a dog person.
Senior Digital Producer
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