From snuggle socks to heatables: the winter essentials we can’t live without

Long, dreary winters can be mentally tough but miserable weather doesn’t have to dampen your mood. Sometimes, a few home comforts are all you need to make the colder months more bearable.

Whether you’re working from home and want to keep cosy at your desk or spending a slow Sunday indoors away from the blistering cold, we’ve got all the winter essentials for home you can’t live without this season.

A bright and cheery mug to lift your mood

If you’re looking for a cosy winter gift for a friend or loved one, you can’t go past a stylish coffee mug. Whether you’re a hot chocolate, chai latte or traditional tea fan, nothing warms the body and soul like a good old-fashioned cuppa. Make teatime extra fun with these Tanya K Animal Mugs, which are designed by Australian artist, Tanya Kalantary, and feature illustrations of Aussie animals on a bright pop of colour.

An indoor activity to boost your mental health

There’s only so much screen time we can handle until we all start to feel a little restless, right? Craft or DIY activities at home are the perfect way to combat boredom. In fact, a recent study found that arts and crafts can even help to manage stress and create a sense of connection with the people around you. Why not gather your family or friends and get stuck into a Paint by Numbers Canvas on the next wintry day? Not only are the painting kits super fun and easy to use (even if you don’t consider yourself an artist!), but you’ll also be left with a picture you’ll be proud to hang.

A nifty kitchen gadget to make your favourite comfort food

When the cool weather creeps in, sometimes the only things that makes us feel better are our favourite wintry dishes. Enter: the Mistral 5L Long Slot Air Fryer with adjustable timers, an ergonomic handle and an extra-long chamber to maximise cooking space for things like cake loaves, bread, a whole fish or yummy sausages. Or perhaps you have the family over for footy night and you want to cook up a large batch of hot chips! With no need for oil, your favourite comfort food just got a whole lot healthier.

A clever piece of tech to enjoy movie nights at home

Whether it’s date night, family night or a sleepover with friends, nothing beats a movie night at home. Go big and stay home with the iBright 720 p LED Projector that lets you stream your favourite films and TV shows and project up to five metres! Connect it to your computer or Chromecast, choose a flick and settle in for a night of entertainment. To make things even more fun, design your movie snacks around the film that you’re watching. Think Calabrese pizza for ‘Eat, Pray, Love’, chocolate for ‘Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory’ or toasted cheese sandwiches for ‘Chef’.

A cosy pair of socks to keep your toes warm

No wintry day at home is complete without a comfy pair of socks. Lounge around in style with these fun Snuggle Socks that are decorated with trendy llamas and fluffy cuffs, perfect for pyjama parties or movie nights at home. For the best winter gift, include these in a ‘pamper hamper’ for someone special—or keep them for yourself (we won’t blame you).

A cute and cuddly heat pack to soothe aches and pains

Did you know, heat packs are designed to ease pain from sore joints and muscles by stimulating your sensory receptors to block pain signals to the brain? If you’re suffering from pain or stiffness, try warming up a heat pack in the microwave and pop it on the parts of your body that are feeling sore. Even better, make it fun with one of these Mini Heatable Animals from Australian Geographic that combine cuteness with comfort.

A novelty hot water bottle to snuggle at night

Nothing says ‘cosiness’ like a hot water bottle (especially one in a fluffy hot water bottle cover!). Similarly to a heat pack, hot water bottles have been used for centuries to ease stomach aches and pain, and continue to be used today as a fun and affordable way to stay warm in winter. Keep the llama theme going with this cute Novelty Long Hot Water Bottle that’s perfect for snuggling on the couch on those cold winter evenings.