10 finds for gray days, cold temps, and winter nights
By Jillian Manning | Nov. 23, 2024
Farewell, daylight! We’ll miss you until the clocks switch back on March 9, 2025. For those of us who feel sad (or literally SAD, thanks to seasonal affective disorder) when winter rolls around, the next few months may feel like they’re better spent in hibernation than trudging through the increasingly cold, dark days.
So you know what? Let’s hibernate! Or embrace the Danish theory of hygge, or whatever you want to call getting cozy. We’re talking blankets, sweaters, candles—the whole shebang. Here are some of our favorite picks around town that are all about warmth and comfort for the winter months ahead.
1. Chunky Knit Throw
Step one: obtain a snuggly blanket. The Ruffled Feather of Gaylord has you covered with the Chunky Knit Throw ($100.25), which comes in a variety of muted colors like taupe, charcoal, and cream, along with vibrant cranberry for a cheerful pop of color. The 65-by-70-inch blanket can fit two adults (or completely swaddle one). We’re sold on the description alone: “A great gift for the homebody, snugglebug or yourself. Because there’s no such thing as ‘too many blankets.’”
2. L.L.Bean Cotton Ragg Sweater
The Outpost of Manistee is one of the few specialty retail stores in the state to be selected to carry L.L. Bean products. There’s plenty to choose from, whether you’re a flannel lover or a connoisseur of cashmere, but we’re especially partial to the Cotton Ragg Sweater ($60). It looks like ragg wool (a sturdy, durable wool) but wears like soft, lightweight cotton and layers under your jacket with ease.
3. Taos Convertawool Slippers
These unisex shoes pull double duty as a slipper or a clog thanks to a collapsible back. Made of a mix of 70 percent Italian wool and 30 percent polyester, these snuggly slips are both warm and breathable, with a lightweight and flexible cork outsole. (They’re even orthotic friendly if you want to add your own support!) Don’t use them for running errands, but they’re perfect for fireside lounging. Find a pair ($140) at Golden Shoes in Traverse City.
4. Smartwool Snowflake Dream Crew Socks
Speaking of footwear, let’s not forget about your first layer: socks. Boyne Country Sports (Boyne Falls, Harbor Springs, Petoskey, and Traverse City locations) has about a million to choose from, but the Snowflake Dream Crew ($28) offers a classic Scandinavian look for hygge lovers. Merino wool and cushioned soles help you go from the couch to hikes and back again without getting cold feet.
5. Books > People Candle
Evil Queen Candles of Traverse City loves a seasonal candle drop, so be sure to check out their newest releases. For a scent that will stand the test of time from November through March, we turn toward the candle titled “Books > People” ($34). What could be better for your hibernation? As the website description says, “Don’t be scared by the florals, this is a warm, woodsy, cozy scent perfect for curling up with your favorite book” with notes of cedarwood, patchouli, chamomile, and geranium.
6. My Hygge Home
On the subject of books, none may be more fitting for this list than My Hygge Home: How to Make Your Home Your Happy Place by Meik Wiking, CEO of The Happiness Research Institute in Denmark. If there were ever a time to go all in on making your hibernation cave—err, your house—a joy to be in, it’s now! We spotted a copy ($27.99) at Tinker Studio on Old Mission Peninsula, where you can also find artisan jewelry and textiles alongside stunning local artwork in all mediums. (We bet your local independent bookstore carries this gem, too!)
7. Fjords Lounge Chairs
You’d better bet we’re continuing to follow the advice of our northern European friends, this time in Norway. Fjords is a Norwegian furnishings company that is all about relaxation, so if you’re ready to invest a bit more in comfort, they’re the experts. Golden-Fowler Home Furnishings in Traverse City is the brand’s only northern Michigan retailer, and they have an array of lounger styles, fabrics, and price points. (Pictured: Tampa Swing reclining chair)
8. Spa Robe
What could be more relaxing than a spa day? While most of us can’t afford a live-in masseuse, we can take that feeling home with a spa robe. Many local spas have them for sale in their gift shops, including Spa Grand Traverse inside Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. Their robe—soft and silky on the outside, plush and warm on the inside, retails for $78. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the collar, and you’ll be instantly transported.
9. Lavender Heather Room Spray
If you’re not breathing a little deeper after a spritz of this room spray from Farm House Candle Co. of Leelanau…spritz again. Soothing, herbaceous, and just the right mix of floral and earthy to please all the noses in your house, this spray freshens up dull spaces with its relaxing scent. Find a bottle ($18) on their website at farmhousecandlecompany.square.site or on the shelves at Suttons Bay’s Poppy Things.
10. Aurora Borealis Tea
Those Scandiavians get spoiled with the northern lights, so now’s the time to spoil yourself! Great Lakes Tea & Spice has the perfect cozy-time tea with the perfect name for the season. The Aurora Borealis ($16.95) is a blend of chamomile, rosehip peels, hibiscus, and citrus that will have you counting sheep (or watching those northern lights dance) in no time. Pick up a caffeine-free pack at the Glen Arbor storefront.