Gift guide · 12 ideas
Gifts for someone who’s always cold
For the one in two sweaters with a blanket on their knees, asking whether the heat can go on yet.
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Every family has one: the person who’s cold in a room everyone else finds fine, who wears socks to bed and keeps a cardigan at their desk in July. The thermostat is a running argument, and they usually lose it. These gifts warm the person instead of the whole house, which is cheaper, quicker and ends the argument: something for the sofa, something for the bed, something for the feet, and a few for the cold outdoors.
Each idea comes with our pick from one of our top lists, chosen for the one who feels the cold rather than for a general shopper: the warmest option over the cleverest, and nothing that needs the heat on to work. Prices run from a hot water bottle to a real sheepskin slipper, so there’s something at every level.
A heated throw
For the one who watches TV under two blankets and a coat. A throw with its own heat means the thermostat can stay where it is and they can stop asking.
MAXEVE Heated Sherpa Throw, Buffalo Plaid (50 x 60 in)
$20–$30
A red and black buffalo plaid throw with flannel on one side and sherpa on the other, eight heat levels from 86°F to 113°F, and a 19 ft cord that reaches an outlet across the room. U-shaped heating wires spread the warmth evenly, and it’s UL and FCC certified.
What owners say: Gentle, steady warmth across the eight levels and a size that’s just right for snuggling under, owners say. How long it lasts is the mixed point, with a few stopping within weeks.
A closer look: Start it on the top level to warm through quickly, as MAXEVE suggests, then drop it back once you’re settled. The controller’s display and three buttons are easy to read and press, and after a gentle wash with the controller unplugged, it can go in the dryer on low.
- 8 heat settings, 86–113°F
- 50 x 60 in throw
- Machine washable, low dryer
An electric blanket
Bedtime is when the cold bites hardest, and a blanket switched on ten minutes early fixes cold feet for the night. Nobody else has to sleep in a hot bedroom for it.
VELLUBAM Electric Heated Blanket (Twin)
$50–$75
A twin-size flannel and sherpa blanket with five heat levels, a 10-hour auto-off and a long 15.9 ft cord, so the controller reaches an outlet on the far side of the nightstand. It’s ETL and FCC certified, with overheat protection that cuts the power if it gets too hot.
What owners say: Warm, soft and even from edge to edge, owners say, and the color gets compliments. Reliability is the split: plenty find it heats quickly, while some had it stop working or warm unevenly after a while.
A closer look: At 62 by 84 in it covers a twin bed with a little overhang, or a sofa for an evening of reading. Start on a middle setting while the bed warms, then turn it down or let the timer run out once you’re settled. Folded loosely in a drawer over the summer, it’s ready for the first cold night of fall.
- Twin, 62 x 84 inches
- Auto shut-off after 10 hours
- Machine washable
Rechargeable hand warmers
On the sidelines at a November soccer game, or on the walk to the car, their fingers are the first to go white. Something warm to hold does more for that than another pair of gloves.
POMPONGO Rechargeable Hand Warmers (2-pack)
$10–$20
A pair that snaps together into one warmer or splits for two pockets, with three clear settings, 108°F, 120°F and 131°F, and up to 20 hours on low by POMPONGO’s figures. Each is UL-certified and weighs about 3.5 oz.
What owners say: They warm up the moment they’re switched on, owners say, and earn their keep at evening ball games once the sun goes down, outlasting disposable packets; small enough for a coat pocket.
A closer look: Start on 120°F, the everyday setting, and save 131°F for standing still in real cold, since the top setting drains the battery fastest. Snapped together they make one thicker warmer for the whole palm; pull them apart to share one.
- 3 heat levels, 108–131°F
- 20 hours max on low
- Heats in 2 seconds
A small space heater for the desk
The home-office answer: warm the person, not the house. Tilt it toward the chair and the rest of the family stops fighting over the thermostat.
DREO Space Heater with 60° Adjustable Tilt (1500W)
$30–$50
The head tilts back in steps from upright to 60°, so the warm air reaches your hands and face at a desk, or your legs from the floor beneath it. It has three heat settings and three fan speeds, and the fan runs on its own on muggy days.
What owners say: Warmth within moments is what owners notice first, along with the fan-only setting and a size that suits a crowded office.
A closer look: Tilt it upward when it sits on the floor under a desk and keep it level on a table, so the warmth lands on you rather than the wall. On a cold morning, start on the highest heat and drop a setting once you’ve warmed up.
- Tilts up to 60°
- Thermostat from 41 to 95°F
- Three heat, three fan settings
Sheepskin slippers for her
Hardwood floors in January are where the cold gets in. Real sheepskin is the warmest thing a foot can wear indoors, and they’ll live in these from October through March.
UGG Scuffette II
$75–$100
Real sheepskin inside and a fluffy sheepskin collar around the ankle, on a suede upper and a molded rubber sole: the pair to leave by the bed for cold mornings.
What owners say: Toasty all winter, soft against the skin and just like the photos, owners say. Durability is mixed, with some reporting the material coming apart, and the price divides opinion.
A closer look: Keep it well away from the washing machine. UGG’s own method is a damp sponge with its cleaner and conditioner, a light brush to lift the suede, and a day’s drying away from heaters and direct sun. It comes in whole sizes only, from US 5 to 12.
- Suede with sheepskin lining
- Whole sizes, US 5–12
- Fluffy sheepskin ankle collar
Heads up: Some find it runs small: if you’re between sizes, the larger one is the safer bet.
View on Amazon See our top 5 women's slippers →A hot water bottle
The oldest trick for a cold bed: filled from the kettle and tucked under a blanket, it’s still warm when they turn in.
FORICOM 2L Hot Water Bottle with Cover
$10–$20
A 2L bottle in odorless, BPA-free PVC with a patterned surface that FORICOM says holds the heat longer, and a cover of its own. It’s a good size to lay across the lower back, the neck or a pair of cold feet, and it can be used cold as well as hot.
What owners say: It stays warm for around three hours, owners say, and some find it works better than an electric heating pad. They like the soft cover and the size, which shapes well around a neck, a hamstring or a back, and it packs easily for travel.
A closer look: FORICOM suggests filling it two-thirds full with water at about 176°F, hot but well short of boiling, and never heating it in the microwave. Flat and only 13 oz, it lies neatly across a stomach or lower back and slips into a suitcase for a drafty hotel room.
- Holds 68 fl oz (2L)
- Comes with a cover
- Doubles as a cold pack
A sherpa weighted blanket
They sleep best buried under every blanket in the house. One heavy, fleecy blanket gives the same weight and warmth without the pile.
Uttermara Sherpa Fleece Weighted Blanket (15 lb, Queen)
$30–$50
Smooth fleece on top and a woolly sherpa underside, with the weight carried by beads as fine as 1mm, sewn into small squares so they don’t rustle or drift. Uttermara sizes its 15 lb for people of about 140 to 190 lb.
What owners say: Owners describe it as the softest hug all night, with the weight spread evenly enough to feel cocooned, and they like the colors, the deep purple especially; the size divides them, as some find it a little small.
A closer look: Lay it over the top of the bed rather than tucking it in: at 60 × 80 in it’s made for one person on a queen, and the weight works best resting on you. Between full washes, small marks can be spot cleaned, as Uttermara suggests.
- 15 lb, queen size
- Fleece and sherpa cover
- Sewn in small squares
A thermos for hot drinks
A hot drink to wrap their hands around is how they get through a cold afternoon outdoors or a long wait in the car. A vacuum bottle keeps one ready for hours.
THERMOS Stainless King Compact Bottle (16 oz)
$20–$30
A classic steel vacuum bottle for coffee or tea: it keeps drinks hot for up to 18 hours or cold for 24, with a cup on top and a stopper that pours with a twist, without coming out. The outside stays cool to the touch with hot drinks inside.
What owners say: Coffee stays hot all day and cold drinks stay cold for hours, and it’s easy to clean and doesn’t leak. It’s a handy size for a purse or a diaper bag, too.
A closer look: Sixteen ounces is two good cups, enough for a commute or a morning out in the cold, and the cup on top means sharing without a second mug. Thermos also makes it in 40- and 68-ounce sizes for a bigger crowd.
- Keeps drinks hot 18 hours
- Holds 16 fl oz
- Outside stays cool to touch
A foot massager with heat
Cold feet and tired feet usually arrive together. Twenty minutes with the heat on, after a day standing, and they’ll stop putting their feet on you on the sofa.
Nekteck Shiatsu Foot Massager with Heat (NK-FM-100)
$30–$50
Six massage heads carry 54 rotating nodes that knead the soles, and the heat switches on and off as you like. It’s open on top, so any size of foot fits, and the buttons can be pressed with a toe, so there’s no bending down.
What owners say: People with plantar fasciitis are among its most devoted users. It’s easy to work with a toe, the warmth is relaxing, and one owner likens it to having someone rub their feet.
A closer look: It works the soles only, with no squeeze around the top of the foot, which suits anyone who finds air compression too much. Being low and flat, it slides under a desk or the sofa when it’s not in use, and socks soften the nodes if they feel firm at first.
- Rotating kneading nodes
- Open top fits any size
- Slides under the sofa
A heated neck massager
The warmth is half the point: it kneads the shoulders that hunch up against the cold all winter. They’ll want it most after shoveling the driveway, when they come in stiff as a board.
RESTECK Shiatsu Neck and Back Massager with Heat (BD1041)
$50–$75
A kneading pillow that reverses direction so each side of the neck gets the same treatment, with heat you can turn up, down or off and four strap-mounted buttons you can find by feel. It plugs into the wall or a car’s power outlet with the two adapters included, packs into a matching leather pouch, and RESTECK covers it for life.
What owners say: Owners say it takes the edge off neck pain the first time they use it and that the heat comes on quickly, with several nodding off mid-session. They like the travel bag and find it a good value.
A closer look: Loop your forearms through the straps and lean back: the nodes find the muscle either side of the spine on their own. It reaches the calves and feet as well as the neck, and the car adapter makes it a passenger’s friend on a long drive. Keep sessions short at first, as the kneading is firm.
- Adjustable heat
- Wall and car adapters
- Kneads in both directions
A fleece robe
For the first cold hour of the day, between the bed and the shower. A thick fleece robe with a hood is the layer they’ll reach for before the coffee is even on.
Yurhap Striped Plush Fleece Robe
$10–$20
A fluffy, striped plush fleece robe that keeps the balance between warmth and weight, with a shawl collar, an adjustable belt and two side pockets. It reaches the calf, and a special dye keeps the color from fading in the wash, Yurhap says.
What owners say: Owners rave about the softness and like the look, and find it warm on cold nights without overheating; some find it roomy, others a touch large.
A closer look: Check the size chart before ordering, as Yurhap notes its hand measurements can be out by an inch and the fit is loose. The plush is warm but not heavy, so it works from fall evenings right through to spring mornings.
- Plush fleece, calf length
- Machine washable
- Two side pockets
A blanket for the bleachers
Cold metal bleachers drain the heat out of anyone by halftime, however many layers they wear. With something soft and dry to sit on, they’ll make it to the end of the game.
Tiny Land 2-in-1 Picnic Blanket and Waterproof Mat (71 × 71 in)
$30–$50
Two layers in one: a waterproof Oxford and PVC mat underneath, and a soft woven blanket on top that doubles as a throw when the evening cools. The top layer goes in the washing machine; the mat wipes clean.
What owners say: The soft color and the room for several people come up most, with the waterproof layer and the carry handle close behind; owners use it for picnics and as a play mat.
A closer look: Wipe sand and soil off the brown mat after each outing, as Tiny Land advises, so the folds stay clean in storage. With two layers between you and the ground it’s warm to sit on, which makes it a good one to take for a sunset picnic or a football game.
- Measures 71 × 71 in
- Waterproof mat underneath
- Top doubles as a throw
Tips for buying for someone who’s always cold
- Look for an auto shut-off and a UL or ETL mark on anything electric, especially a blanket or heater that will be left on while they doze.
- Check the sofa or bed size before you choose a heated throw or blanket: a 50 × 60 in throw is one person on the sofa, and an electric blanket is sized to the mattress.
- Charge the rechargeable things and put the slippers somewhere warm before you wrap them. A cold present for a cold person is a bad start.
Photos are illustrative, some computer-generated. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra. How we pick · How this works.
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