Cozy is what it’s all about this season, and these cozy gifts will get everyone in a snuggling mood

Whether you live where it’s been snowing since September or in a milder climate, everyone loves to be cozy. The holidays invoke cuddly-crackling-fireplace-hot-cocoa-wool-socks vibes and that’s exactly the mood we’re in as we bring you these cozy gifts! Sure, we’re fully back in the social game this holiday season with parties and dinners and school recitals, but the introverted among us still appreciate nesting, and you don’t have to be an introvert to love snuggling up.

Cozy gifts are the kind that encourage relaxation, that encourage self-care, reflection, and the all-important slowing down. During the holidays, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle. That’s completely fine and we encourage living your best festive life! We just also want to gift our loved ones with the reminder that taking it easy every so often is truly good for the soul. From physically warm to just warm vibes, these cozy gifts are some of the best we’ve found!

UGG Cozy Faux-Shearling Slippers

For around the house or even if you have to step outside, these sweater-knit slippers are the height of cozy! Available in 4 colors.

UGG Cozy Faux-Shearling Slippers ($120.00)—Buy Now

Foot Massager with Switchable Heat

They'll spend all day looking forward to relaxing with this ultra-luxe foot massager!

Foot Massager with Switchable Heat ($45.99)—Buy Now

Women's Faux Shearling Booties

Can you tell we're heavily committed to keeping your feet warm? These are plush and cozy while looking really cute and come in several colors!

Women's Faux Shearling Booties ($39.50)—Buy Now

Marlow Pillow

From our friends over at Brooklinen, the Marlow pillow is the three-in-one customizable pillow that took 8 years to perfect (so you know this is no ordinary pillow!). If you're a side-sleeper, the NASA-supported memory foam filling is perfect, and staying cool? You bet!

Marlow Pillow ($78.00)—Buy Now

MAMA Beanie

The rich colors really make this one super fun, and we can't get over the pom pom!

MAMA Beanie ($25.50)—Buy Now

Cashmere Travel Wrap

This gorgeous wrap has been a White + Warren best seller for over 20 years! It's a must-have for celebs and influencers, but beyond that, it's an actual investment piece. Versatile, lightweight, and can be used as a wrap, scarf, shawl, or blanket, this is one for the books!

Cashmere Travel Wrap ($335.00)—Buy Now

Adeline Mitten

Hand-embroidered and so soft, these charming mittens are absolutely precious!

Adeline Mitten ($80.00)—Buy Now

Slumberkins

The Slumberkins collection is designed by a therapist to help teach kiddos social and emotional skills. Each set comes with a book, affirmation card, and plush "Kin" or lovey! We seriously want them all.

Slumberkins (Starting at $32.00)—Here

Solly Baby Wrap

We can't think of anything cozier than having your little close by! The Solly Baby Wrap is our pick for keeping them snug as bugs (and you as comfortable as possible). With even weight distribution and a customizable fit, this is pretty much as cozy as it gets.

Solly Baby Wrap ($74.00)—Buy Now

Playful Name Personalized Cuddle Wrap

Multiple font and color choices make this snuggly wrap completely personalized to their tastes!

Playful Name Personalized Cuddle Wrap ($49.99)—Buy Now

Mermaid Tail Blanket

Your favorite mermaid lover will flip for this blanket, complete with sequin fin!

Mermaid Tail Blanket ($32.89)—Buy Now

Tovala

Tovala is redefining meal delivery! How? With the Tovala oven. This baby is a 6-in-1 steam + air fry oven that's specially designed to create the meals Tovala delivers. Scan the QR code and you're off. Or, scan the barcode of your favorite groceries, pantry staples, and frozen foods, for quick delicious results. When you feel like cooking, keep it simple. Follow a few prep steps in the app, then press “cook” to a make a chef-perfected side dish, brunch, or lunch. When they say "smart oven", they mean it!

Black Friday Promotion: $49 Tovala Smart Oven w/ a six week meal commitment (does not include shipping). Valid 11/17/22-11/28/22—Buy Now

You Warm My Soul Print

Personalize this darling print with any two names—your spouse, BFF, favorite coffee date—anyone you love sharing a cuppa with!

You Warm My Soul Print ($42.99)—Buy Now

S'mores Skillet Dip Kit

The cast iron skillet laid the foundation for this oh-so-cozy s'mores dip!

S'mores Skillet Dip Kit ($29.95)—Buy Now

Holiday Fragrance Set

Balsam Clove, White Peppercorn, and Cranberry Champagne? It doesn't get any cozier than that.

Holiday Fragrance Set ($34.95)—Buy Now

Cozy Season Sweatshirt

Well, well, well, if it isn't our new winter wardrobe?

Cozy Season Sweatshirt ($14.15+)—Buy Now

5 Pairs of Cashmere Socks

We're all about these vintage-inspired lightweight cashmere socks!

5 Pairs of Cashmere Socks ($32.39)—Buy Now

The Nest Dress

A robe meets a dress in this incredibly comfortable piece from Ingrid + Isabel! Can be worn through pregnancy and beyond.

The Nest Dress ($98.00)—Buy Now

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.

All images courtesy of retailers. 

Leaving the house for date night may feel like a distant memory, but we’ve got plenty of ways to have a great time with your partner on a date night at home. Go beyond Netflix and chill with these creative ways to connect. Read on for a list of date ideas that will make you feel like you’re out on the town in San Diego… from the comfort of home.

Pexels

1. Schedule a virtual date with friends and/or other couples. Relax and catch up with each other as if you were at an actual dinner party. You can even schedule the call for when you're all sitting down to eat in your respective homes.

2. Pick up your favorite craft beer, wine or spirits from a long list of San Diego wineries, breweries and distilleries that are offering booze to go. Enjoy your favorite local drinks responsibly from home with friends on a virtual date as suggestion above, or as a couple.

3. Listen to a Spreckles Organ Concert from home. Every Sunday at 2 p.m. you can enjoy the music of San Diego Civic Organist Raúl Prieto Ramírez as he plays on the largest outdoor musical instrument in the world. These no-cost webcasts are a gift from the City of San Diego and the Spreckels Organ Society.

Unsplash

4. Pick-up or have a DIY meal kit delivered and cook up your favorite restaurant dinner at home. 

5. That's amore, alright! Order pizza for takeout or delivery at the best pizza joint in your neighborhood. Bonus points if you pair it with your favorite Italian-influenced film.

6. Acclaimed San Diego chef Brian Malarkey is offering virtual cooking classes! These hour-long, interactive and engaging classes will take you through the creation of delicious meals step-by-step. On May 19th, the class theme is Kid-Friendly Favorites––a perfect choice for parents!

7. Read a book together you've always wanted to read but never had time for. Take turns reading to each other aloud. Keep it local with one of these great books that are set in San Diego.

8. Order this super cool Balboa Park puzzle for curbside pick-up from beloved local toy store Geppetto's. Enjoy some relaxing conversation while you piece together one of San Diego's most iconic locales.

9. Go on a virtual island vacation. Explore nearby Catalina Island's landing page with activities to experience the magic of Catalina from afar. Enjoy live webcam footage of the harbor, underwater views of kelp beds and local fish from the USC Wrigley Catalina Marine Reserve, a Bald Eagle Cam from a perch in Two Harbors and more. Then, dream together about a real trip you'll take to Catalina in the future.

Burst

10. More early bird than night owl? Wake up before the kids for a coffee date. Many local coffee shops are offering curbside pick-up of their delicious drinks and pastries. For instance, Nutmeg Bakery & Cafe offers drink, pastry and breakfast menus with orders for pick-up. If your kids are early birds too, turn on the cartoons and escape with your partner to another room for your breakfast date.

11. Paint and drink wine! Pinot's Palette at Liberty Station is offering live, interactive virtual painting classes. Some include paint kits you can pick up and others are use your own paint supplies.

12. Missing your nearby jaunts to Mexico? Alaska Airlines is offering free online "couch getaways" to Mexico, so you can explore Mexican culture, landmarks, music, drinks and more from home.

IMDB

13. Watch Top Gun, and spot the multiple locations where this iconic movie was filmed right here in San Diego. Want to feel like you're really at a movie theater? Order your favorite movie snacks, from popcorn to soft pretzels from Angelika Film Center, available via UberEats.

14. Get zen with a couples' yoga workout. Vibe Flow Yoga is offering live online workouts via Instagram every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9 a.m. To join in, simply head to Vibe Flow’s Instagram page, @vibeflow_yoga, and view their live story, or if that time frame doesn’t work for your schedule, try one of the classes posted on their YouTube channel, VibeFlow

15. Clear some space in the living room and take an online dance class from local studio A Time to Dance. They're offering online classes ranging from Salsa to Blues Dancing to Bachata.

––Beth Shea

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The past few weeks we’ve come to realize that life truly is a roller-coaster ride of uncertainties! The normalities we’ve become so accustomed to can suddenly shift in a matter of days or even just a few hours. The challenge of e-learning lies in the balance of our own work schedules and our child’s school schedule. How do we fit it all in? Some days the idea of maintaining equilibrium means just getting everyone out of bed before 10 a.m. and not arguing over what Netflix shows to watch. 

Another consideration is our technology skills…or lack thereof. We can feel so technologically savvy until we have to log in to our child’s online learning platform and we realize that the password doesn’t work. Isn’t that the most frustrating thing?! It’s like we’ve resorted back to the 1980s with some of these online programs! I have had to reset so many of my passwords that I am running out of ways to be creative with the spelling of my dog’s name! 

The one silver lining is that we are all in this together! We are learning and making adjustments as we go. Everyone’s e-learning experience is different based on each child’s age and functioning level. Secondary age children are much more independent in their learning expectations, whereas elementary-age children require a more collaborative, hands-on methodology of learning. 

Set Up a Routine and Schedule

First, you must come to the realization that as a parent you are not perfect! Perfection can be the enemy of progress. What works for your family one day might not work the next day and that is okay. The important thing to remember is that effective parenting requires flexibility. 

Each morning create a daily schedule and post it somewhere central for all to see. Start with your own work schedule and the non-negotiables for your job duties. Then build from there to include your child’s schedule. If you have more than one child, alternate the times where one child needs adult assistance and the other can work more independently on something (i.e.: a puzzle or time on the iPad). Be sure and include some form of physical activity in the schedule. Exercise not only improves mental capacity and mood but also can help regulate your child’s energy levels. And last but not least, schedule “me time” for yourself to maintain your sanity (even if it’s just taking a bath or sitting in your car listening to your favorite song from high school, reminiscing on the time when you didn’t have kids or responsibilities yet). 

Provide Appropriate Attention to All

Now is the time to look at your family dynamics and try to find creative ways to employ your children to help each other. If you have an older child, schedule him/her to help “teach” the younger child. After you have laid out your daily schedule, make sure you have allotted enough time for your younger child to have hands-on assistance. The amount of 1:1 assistance will depend on the age and the functioning level of the child. Help get your child started on the task then find ways to fade yourself out while promoting independence. 

Rewards and Consequences

Don’t forget about your social contract for the home. This tool should be your “go-to” for this new type of home/work environment. If you have a child that is struggling with the work demands, consider setting up a reward system for him/her. It can be as simple as a sticker chart for completing parts of each task. Once he/she earns a set number of stickers, then a larger reward can be obtained. A reward system can help promote independence as well. Ideally, the “consequence” is not earning the smaller rewards that lead to the larger reward. Be careful and thoughtful when choosing consequences. For example…If you have a child that is refusing to work, “time-out” would not be effective since you would be giving in to what they want (which is to avoid the task). Talk to your child about what he/she would like to earn for following the social contract and exhibiting good work behaviors. Give your child unconventional examples of rewards, like building a pillow fort together, or helping to cook their favorite recipe, or having a coffee date with a parent. Their first thought of a reward may be screen time, but they’re likely getting much of that already, and could benefit more from creative together time.

Remember, you’re not alone in this, we’re all together in having to get creative and learn as we go. The best thing we can do for our families is to have patience, understanding, and flexibility. Give yourself and your community grace, and take things day by day.

 

Before joining Village, Dana worked in public education for fourteen years as a Special Education Counselor, Autism Coordinator, Special Education Supervisor, and Assistant Director of Special Programs. Throughout her educational career, Dana assists students, parents, and staff with the social/emotional component of learning. She enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and shopping.

Last fall I took a long overdue girls’ trip to San Antonio with my girlfriends of 30 plus years. There were six of us and between us, we have 19 children, a fact my friend Leslie took great pleasure in telling every Uber driver we encountered that weekend. A few of my friends have literally been in the childbearing mode for the past decade.

Needless to say, when I pitched the idea for a girls’ getaway every single one yelled an emphatic “I’M IN!!!” I kid you not, less than 24 hours later we had picked our destination, booked flights and rented an Airbnb, which is saying a lot for my friends who have 4, 5 and 6 kids. I mean, they literally had to assemble an entire team of staff to cover their job as a mom for this trip. 

October finally rolled around and the whole gang reunited in sunny San Antonio. A few of us hadn’t seen each other in over 10 years and it’s not like we have time to catch up over the phone. After high school, we went to separate colleges, moved to different cities, started families, chased careers, and so on and so forth. You know the story. But I kid you not—when we hooked up for that glorious weekend together—none of that mattered. 

While San Antonio has plenty of sightseeing to do, we literally did none of it! We spent a whole day lounging at a fancy rooftop pool with a cooler of beer we had snuck in (because we are classy like that) and otherwise hung out at our Airbnb, snacking and catching up for hours on the couch. We listened to our favorite throwbacks, tried on each other’s clothes, swapped shoes, and primped in front of the mirror to get ready for our nights out. We danced at a few dive bars to our old-school rap jams from the ’90s and even got cut off at a restaurant. We could not have been more proud of ourselves. We crammed into Uber rides and laughed so hard our faces hurt. A few of us might have peed our pants. We could have been in any city in the world and our weekend would have looked the same. 

I arrived back in Portland late Sunday night and hit the road running Monday morning. I was exhausted and behind on so many things, but I was elated. That weekend left me so high with endorphins for the next two weeks that I was able to take things in stride and at times I would find myself smiling or laughing out loud. How could a quick trip with girlfriends make me feel so happy? I knew there must be something on a deeper level to explain this, so I did a little digging about the power of women friendships, and my instincts were right. 

When women friends get together not only do we have a damn good time, but our bodies actually produce the hormones oxytocin and estrogen. This explains why a good girlfriend sesh leaves you feeling like your cup has been refilled. Activist and actress Jane Fonda said, “Friendship between women is different than friendship between men. We talk about different things. We delve deep. We go under, even if we haven’t seen each other for years. There are hormones that are released from women to other women that are healthy and do away with the stress hormones. It’s my women friends that keep starch in my spine and without them, I don’t know where I would be. We have to just hang together and help each other.” Amen, sister. 

Women are also natural, empathetic beings. We are the pillars of our families and the glue that holds it all together. We love and support not only our immediate family but also our extended family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers. We intuitively know when a loved one is in need of help, like when a friend calls and you can hear it in her voice that she needs to talk. Kristen Fuller, MD wrote an article in Psychology Today in which she wrote, “Girlfriends have a distinctive way of reading emotions and intuitively recognizing what needs to be done then acting on it. We understand each other, we validate each other, we give marriage and breakup advice to each other, we share some of the deepest darkest secrets with each other, we share the honest truth with each other, we share intimate family details with each other, we share beauty products with each other, we tell each other when we have food in our teeth or when our shirt is on backward, and we share lasting memories with each other.” While we women take great pride in being the ‘glue’ it can also be extremely draining if we don’t make sure to show ourselves the same level of care we show others. 

The takeaway from all this is super simple. Make the time for the women in your life. These are the relationships that will sustain you through life’s ups and downs. On our girls’ trip I can’t tell you how many countless strangers stopped to ask us who was getting married, as if a group of giddy, grown women only get together when a bachelorette party is happening. So despite our busy careers, families and responsibilities, we need to place great importance on our friendships, because not only are they good for our souls, but they benefit our health too, just like exercising or a prescription that needs to be refilled. So phone a friend and set up a coffee date, happy hour or a quick getaway and make new memories with old friends. 

 

 

I'm an outdoor enthusiast, travel junkie, exercise nerd and co-founder of AVYN. After having my son 4 years ago, I saw a need on the market for athletic-st‌yle nursing bras. AVYN Bras allow women to do "all the things" while still being stylish enough for happy hour. You can find us at shopAVYN.com. 

It’s the biggest Starbucks in the world, located smack dab in the middle of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, in the 35,000-square-foot former Crate and Barrel building. If you love coffee, you’ll want to pay your respects here, at Starbucks Reserve Roastery Chicago, a mecca of all things coffee, from coffee beans to coffee-infused cocktails. Even if your kids don’t yet appreciate a good cuppa Joe, they’ll love watching as coffee beans are sorted, roasted and then brewed via fancy, fiery contraptions. Settle in and enjoy an afternoon coffee date with your littles as they indulge in the wide range of over-the-top pastries.

photo: Starbucks via Yelp

Follow the coffee beans
As soon as you enter, expect to be overcome by the heady scent of coffee. Kids can watch as coffee beans are roasted, cooled and distributed throughout the roastery via a 56-foot tall, bronze-colored metal cask that extends from the top to the bottom floor. Ask your kids if they can hear the rainfall-like sound of the coffee beans as they journey through the cask.

photo: Starbucks via Yelp

The first floor is where you’ll find the quickest and most convenient coffee and pastry to-go bar. Take your pick from an assortment of Princi Bakery pastries, all artisanally-made with top-notch ingredients.

photo: Richelle T. via Yelp

While the pastry menu will change with the seasons, kids who want to give coffee flavors a try will want to sample the classic Tiramisu, layered coffee-soaked, house-baked ladyfinger cookies sandwiched with mascarpone cream. Princi is also known for its cornetti, an Italian take on the croissant, filled with a variety of jams and creams. At the full bean scooping bar, you can take home Starbucks coffee beans.

photo: Starbucks via Yelp

Travel up to the second floor along the cool curved escalator—the first in the midwest!—to the Princi bakery. Everything is baked here, then delivered by a fascinating conveyor belt to the first and third floors. The second floor’s menu extends beyond pastries to Princi’s Italian-inspired breakfast and lunch sandwiches, pizzas and salads.

Seating is available throughout the roastery; highchairs are plentiful.

photo: Samantha S. via Yelp

Coffee nerds unite!
The third floor is a coffee nerds dream, but even kids will enjoy watching moka brewed via seven different brewing methods, including the flame-powered siphon method brewing system. Parents will want to give a coffee flight a try here; kids will like the hot cocoa with extra whipped cream. (Warning: if your kids enjoy the fancy, fruity teas available at other Starbucks locations, they won’t find them here at the coffee-focused Roastery).

photo: Starbucks via Yelp

On the fourth floor, the bar, Arriviamo, serves not just coffee but also wine, beer, and signature cocktails. A fifth floor, rooftop terrace will open in the spring.

photo: Mural by Eulojio Ortega

It’s all in the details
Starbucks commissioned Chicago artist Eulojio Ortega to create a progressive mural that depicts the process that gets the beans into our venti-sized cups—including its planting, selection and processing. Take the stairs from the 1st to the 4th floor to watch the story unfold as Starbucks, with the help of Ortega, pays tribute to the dedicated farmers that keep us all caffeinated.

Look for the specially designed “Chicago” wall using Starbucks Reserve coffee cards. Each Starbucks Reserve coffee has its own unique card which is an original piece of art created by in-house designers and writers. You’ll find cards that represent Starbucks’ global Roasteries, including Milan, Shanghai, Tokyo, Seattle and New York.

photo: Araceli C. via Yelp

Referred to as the “clackerboard” because of the sound it makes when in motion, the large board on the first floor alerts vistors to what’s brewing that day and any special events.

photo: Kenny C. via Yelp

Plan a visit during off-hours
Lines here have been known to stretch out for more than three blocks and the massive space reached its 1,000-person capacity just 20 minutes after opening in November 2019. The rush starts late-morning, and the space can stay busy until close. Weekdays, early mornings, is the quietest time. The Starbucks Roastery Reserve Chicago is open 7 a.m.-11 p.m., seven days a week.

Starbucks Reserve Roastery Chicago
646 Michigan Ave.
Mag Mile
312-283-7100
Online: starbucksreserve.com

—Amy Bizzarri

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New Year’s Resolutions for Chicago Parents

It may be dark outside, but your house is all lit up because your early bird is ready to get out of bed at 5 a.m. Sigh. We feel your bleary-eyed pain. If only you could toss a blanket over the crib, like a birdcage, and get that kid to snooze a little longer. But since that trick won’t work and your kiddo isn’t ready for screen time before sunrise, we’ve got a few tips that will help you survive these early mornings.

Photo: HLIT via Flickr

1. Hit the mall. Lots of malls open up a few hours before the stores are ready for shoppers. Bring your stroller or baby carrier and walk along in the warm, cozy space. You can squeeze in a little window shopping and get to know the over-70 mall walking crowd.

2. Get appy. When you’re running on fumes, it can be hard to think beyond singing yet another nursery rhyme. Download a couple of apps – like this free anytime, anywhere music class or the brain-building tips from Vroom – that will spark new ideas to entertain your little one, like ways to turn the daily job of getting dressed into a game.

3. Hit the playground. If the weather’s warm enough, get outside. You will have your pick of baby swings at 7 am and can show up early enough to welcome all of the pugs to the dog park.

Photo: Jay Erickson via Flickr

4. Go on a coffee date. If it has been said once, it has been said a thousand times, because it’s true: nap when you can. And if you can’t, there’s always coffee. Lots and lots of coffee. Hop in the car and hit the closest drive-thru coffee spot.

5. Splash around. Flip bath time from pre-bed to an early morning splash fest. Break out your best bath toys, put on some beach music and have a swimming party.

Photo: Donnie Ray Jones via Flickr

6. Be first in line. Be thankful you can be first to the zoo or the children’s museum. Bonus: you’ll get the best parking spot, and you never, ever have to set an alarm to make sure you get out of the house on time.

7. Take turns. Alternate rise-and-shine days with your partner, if you can. That way, you each get a little more shut eye one day and get a little extra one-on-one time with your kiddo the other day.

8. Explore something new. Fill up a big tub with dry oatmeal to scoop and dump, or try one of these ten ideas here that use stuff you’ve already got, like rice and yogurt, for easy-peasy sensory play that will fill up those early morning hours.

Photo: Jim Champion via Flickr

9. Snuggle up with a good book. Babies love looking at faces, so pick out a few with photographs of other kiddos, or try a touch-and-feel book that gives your little one new textures to explore.

10. Play in the dark. When your baby’s up and at ‘em and it’s dark outside, you can make the most of the darkness. Now’s the time to make shadow puppets or cuddle by the fire – all those cozy evening activities can be trotted out for pre-dawn fun.

Tell us: what do you do to entertain your early riser?

-Oz Spies