Cozy Blankets, Hoodies and Slippers Worth Living In This Winter

Winter is goblin season. The days are short, the nights are long and there is a socially acceptable reason to stay wrapped in fabric for four months straight. This is our time.

But not all cozy things are created equal. Some blankets shed like an anxious cat. Some hoodies get stiff after three washes. Some slippers go flat by January. So here's a round-up of cozy blankets, hoodies and slippers worth living in this winter: popular, well-reviewed basics that people buy again and again.

How to pick cozy winter loungewear

Before we get to the picks, a few quick things to look for:

• Washability. You will spill cocoa on it. Machine washable is a must.
• Weight. Lightweight fleece for layering, heavier sherpa or heated options for serious cold.
• Fit. Oversized is the goblin standard, but check size charts, especially for slippers.
• Reviews. Look for thousands of ratings, not a handful. It's the best clue an item holds up.

The best cozy blankets for winter

A soft, lightweight fleece throw

The workhorse blanket. A fleece throw is light enough to drape over your shoulders, big enough for one goblin and cheap enough that you can own several (one per couch, one per bed, one for the car, no judgment). This is one of the most-reviewed throws on Amazon, and it comes in tons of colors, including moody greens and browns.

A heated throw for truly cold nights

If your home is drafty or you're just always freezing, a heated throw lets you dial up the warmth. Look for adjustable heat settings and an auto shut-off feature, and always follow the manufacturer's instructions.

A weighted blanket for snug nights in

A weighted blanket feels like being tucked in very firmly. Many people enjoy the cozy, heavy feel for movie nights and lounging. Choose a weight you can comfortably lift and move, and check the sizing guide on the listing (we like the YnM ones in our low-energy self-care guide).

Hoodies worth living in

The wearable blanket hoodie

Is it a blanket? Is it a hoodie? It's both, and it's glorious. An oversized wearable blanket has a sherpa lining, a hood and a giant front pocket for snacks or a phone. You can pull your legs inside it on the couch, then walk to the kitchen without dropping anything. It's the official uniform of goblin mode.

The classic everyday hoodie

Sometimes you need a normal hoodie, one you can wear to the mailbox without the neighbors asking questions. A basic fleece pullover hoodie is soft, affordable and endlessly layerable. Size up for maximum cozy.

Slippers that won't go flat in a week

Memory foam slippers are the sweet spot: soft underfoot, warm, and with a rubber sole you can wear out to grab a package. These two-tone knit slippers are a long-running bestseller in both men's and women's styles.

Shopping for him? The same slipper comes in a men's version with a huge pile of reviews; search "RockDove men's two-tone memory foam slipper" on Amazon.

And for fuzzy-sock people who want grip: a pack of fluffy socks with non-slip bottoms is the cheapest upgrade in this entire list.

Cozy layering: how to dress for a do-nothing day

The secret to staying cozy all day at home is layers you can add or remove without getting up. Start with a soft tee and sweatpants, add a fleece hoodie, then wrap a fleece throw around your legs. Too warm? Ditch the throw. Getting cold as the sun goes down? Swap the hoodie for the wearable blanket and switch on the heated throw. Your feet are part of the equation too: slippers for walking around, fuzzy socks for curling up.

Color matters a little, too. Mossy greens, mushroom browns, oatmeal and charcoal hide cocoa spills and crumbs far better than white ever will. Darker cozy layers are basically camouflage for the snack-based lifestyle.

Cozy gift ideas from this list

Every item here doubles as a great winter gift. A fleece throw or fuzzy socks make easy stocking stuffers, slippers and hoodies are great mid-range presents, and a wearable blanket or heated throw is a true "you are my favorite" gift for the always-cold person in your life.

How to keep cozy stuff cozy

Want your blankets and hoodies to stay soft all winter? A few laundry tricks:

• Wash fleece and sherpa in cold water and tumble dry low (or follow the care label).
• Skip heavy fabric softener on fleece; it can make it feel flat over time.
• Wash fuzzy items together, away from towels that leave lint.
• Shake blankets out after drying to fluff them back up.

Build a winter cozy capsule

You don't need a closet full of loungewear. A tiny winter "cozy capsule" covers it:

1. One lightweight fleece throw
2. One heavier blanket (heated or weighted)
3. One wearable blanket
4. One or two everyday hoodies
5. One pair of memory foam slippers
6. A multipack of fuzzy socks

With that capsule, you're ready to hibernate until spring. Prices change all the time in winter, so check the current price on Amazon before you buy. For more cozy ideas, see our holiday gift guide for goblin mode friends and our goblin mode essentials.