Sometimes, you just want to let someone know you love them, or help them feel better if they are struggling through the cold months. When the mood strikes you, and the weather is chilly, it can make an even bigger impact to send a gift to warm them up. These gifts can come in the form of food and beverages or an item that can literally keep them warm. The goal is twofold: you’ll cheer up a loved one and remind them to stay warm and cozy on the coldest days. Here are some of the best ways to do that:
Warm Food
This one is pretty obvious, right? When it’s cold outside, cold foods can make you even colder. On especially brutal days, you might feel chilled to the bone, so a meal like a salad or a sandwich might feel unimaginable. Even worse, if you’re feeling down because of dreary, gray days, perhaps you can’t get the energy up to prepare a meal. Seasonal anxiety and depression can hit particularly hard during the harshest winter months.
Warm food can serve as a sweet surprise gift or even a sympathy care package. After all, a well-cooked meal can warm you up from the inside out. Plus, the act of heating up a meal that’s been delivered can get your body moving and your blood circulating. Then, when you sit down to eat the meal, you’re reminded of how much the person who sent it loves you, so it lifts your spirits. For this reason and many more, sending or hand-delivering a home-cooked meal can be the best gift of all.
Coffees and Teas
Of course, it doesn’t have to be a meal. Some people love warm drinks. Think about it, the last thing you probably want on a rainy or snowy day is an iced latte or tea. Just imagining it likely sends shivers up your spine. Instead, you’re hoping for a hot cup of coffee or a freshly brewed tea. These beverages can heat up your insides and spread warmth throughout your mind and body. There are so many fun ways to send someone you love gourmet coffee or tea.
First, figure out what they prefer. Some people come down hard on one side or the other: coffee or tea. Then, plan for a care package that includes an array of items to create a ritual effect that will cheer them up if they’re down and warm them up if they’re cold. Think of a basket of different loose teas or coffee blends, an insulated mug with a lid, and a small pot of honey. Arrange everything beautifully, so when they get the package, they’ll see the thought you put into the whole gift.
Soft Socks, Slippers, and Blankets
Maybe you have a friend who is perpetually shivering. It might be that they just run colder than others, or they could perhaps spend their days in drafty locations. These friends and loved ones can benefit greatly from extra support for their bodies. Items like soft socks or thick slipper boots can protect chilly feet. Big, thick blankets can wrap around their bodies on freezing days. And mittens and beanies can help keep heat in.
For this particular care package, you can line the basket with the blanket in a way that cradles the other items. Then, place a few kinds of soft socks inside, along with matching mittens and a beanie. Throughout the basket, you can also sprinkle smaller gifts like hand warmers, neck gaiters, and even a candle to light the darkest days. The idea behind this “stay cozy” gift is to let your loved one know that you understand their situation and that you want to help.
Puzzles and Books
Then there are the friends who are perfectly warm inside their homes, but the outside world is freezing. So they refuse to head out into the chill. In this case, they may find themselves watching endless hours of television or scrolling through social media to the detriment of their mental health. These friends and family members may enjoy some extra assistance keeping their minds busy while they’re stuck inside.
A nice box of puzzles, crosswords, Sudoku, books, and magazines can be the perfect gift. Chat up your loved one in advance of your gift to get an idea of their interests. If they love words, choose crossword puzzles. If they’re more mathematically inclined, you could include Sudoku books. For couples or families, big, complicated puzzles can be a great way to pass the time. And of course, include a book or two in their favorite genre. You’ll brighten those dreary days for sure.
Brightly Colored Plants
Finally, one of the most unexpected gifts you can send someone can also be the most delightful. A brightly colored plant in a boldly colored pot can lift spirits and bring life into a room or an entire home. Most people tend to think of flowers or plants only during the springtime, but there are some amazing flora that grow during the cold season and can last for years. This gift may be the one that keeps on giving.
If you want to go the plant route, consider the home of your loved one first. Look into their hardiness zones and think of which rooms get the most light. From there, you can opt for a fast-growing, creeping ivy in bold greens or a flowering plant like mums. You might also consider primrose or camellias for pops of color. Then, you can schedule a time to plant the flowers in your loved one’s garden in spring. They’ll likely be overjoyed at the idea of a shared activity to come.
Warmed Up By Love
In the end, there are many gifts you can offer a friend or family member during the coldest months of the year. From coffee or tea to chicken soup, you can nourish their bodies and warm their spirits. Blankets and socks can keep them physically warm in a cold office or living room. And puzzles and books will help them stay entertained when they’re stuck inside on snow days. And of course, a plant can brighten up a whole house.
No matter what you decide, be sure to include a nice note reminding your loved one that you’re thinking of them and that you look forward to spending warmer days with them.
