Why is it that no matter how warm the rest of your body is, your ears and nose will always be cold in the winter? Now, a nose you can’t really do anything about because it’s smack dab in the middle of your face and it’s not like you can cover it. Tough break on that one. However, your ears are a different story. When your ears get cold, they get super cold. And then when you finally get in a warm place, it’s even worse because your ears start to burn as if they were taunting you for complaining about not being warm enough. The easiest way to avoid all of this is pretty obvious: cover your damn ears before going out in cold weather!
Most of us know we should cover up in the winter, but we don’t because we’d rather be, for lack of a better word, cool. I mean, how are you supposed to listen to your tunes when you’ve got to maneuver your beanie over your earbuds or good ole fashioned headphones? It’s practically impossible to get comfortable that way! The Midland SubZero Headphones (Firebox UK, £34.99) allow you to listen to music and keep your ears from getting frostbitten at the same time. These high tech earmuffs have it all, with earphones built flush inside the lining and a remote on the cable that allows you to pause/play, skip tracks, and take calls. That’s right, not only can you listen to music but you can also hook this baby up to your smartphone so you don’t lost touch with the outside world, even if you’re trekking through the tundra. Cotton fur lined and fully adjustable, these headphones will keep you as fashionable as they do warm.
Gift givability factor: High. Who likes being cold? No one. Who’s cold in the wintertime? Everyone. I would file this one under “Duh.”
5 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 10cm x 10cm x 1.5cm
-Cable measures 1.2m long
-Headphones and earmuffs all in one
-Flush earphone built inside lining
-Microphone on cable to take calls
-Remote on cable to pause/play and skip tracks
-Voice command functions
-Fully adjustable
-Gold plated 3.5mm standard headphone jack fits most music players
-Available in black, camouflage, white, and black leather
-Cotton fur lined
-Made of faux fur
-Not washable
Has it started snowing near you yet? I’ve been lucky enough to avoid the snow so far this year (save for a few flurries here and there – they don’t count), but some people have already gotten hit with Mother Nature’s Christmas gift. There are some people out there who love the snow, who can’t wait for the winter season to start so they can snowboard, make snow angels, or go sledding. Then there’s the rest of the world who can’t stand the cold, not even when it comes with snowball fights, snowmen, and snow days. Regardless of how you feel about frosty precipitation, I think we can all agree that no one is looking forward to driving when a snowstorm hits.
The worst thing about driving in the snow (and ice) is lack of control. What happens if you lose control of your car and you end up on the side of the road, unable to move because your car can’t get traction? You’re stuck, plain and simple. The Sure Track Tire Grip Treads (Things You Never Knew Existed, $12.98) can help make that scenario a lot less scary and put the control back in your hands. A lot of people I know who live in colder parts of the country are apt to keep kitty litter or rock salt in their cars in case they get stuck in the snow. The problem with this is, besides the fact that it doesn’t always work, you have to remember to refill your stash. With these treads, you can reuse them over and over, your stash never depleting (it’ll also save you lots of money because you only have to buy it once). The treads work by gripping the snow or ice to provide a dry surface for your tires to grip, so all you have to do when you’re in a jam is roll the treads out.
Gift givability factor: High. Almost everyone lives in an area that gets snow or ice during the year, and no one wants to get stuck on the side of the road. It’s also a great idea for new or inexperienced drivers.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 11″ x 34″
-Instantly provides dry surface
-Grips snow or ice
-Long lasting
-Set of 2
-Made of nonabsorbent paratex
Have you looked outside today? If you haven’t you could just go online because pretty much everyone is on their social network of choice complaining about the weather. I don’t blame them – it’s pretty miserable outside. Two seconds out there and you’ll be soaked like it was monsoon season. This time of year, once you get cold, it’s hard to warm up unless you’re literally standing in front of a roaring fire (not a luxury most of us have).
With the Pajamas Warming Pouch (Hammacher Schlemmer, $39.95), you can be roasty toasty just about anywhere that has an outlet. Yes, it might seem a little excessive to purchase a pouch to warm your clothes in when you could probably just as easily throw them in the dryer and get the same results. What about when you’re on a business trip? Or maybe you live in an apartment and aren’t lucky enough to have a washer and dryer even in the same building, let alone your own place? Then you’d be begging for this pouch to heat your pjs in just 10 minutes with its integrated heating element that reaches 118º F. The pouch can hold more than just pajamas, including towels, hats, etc. and it folds to half its size for convenient storage.
I’m thinking about keeping one of these next to my bed so I can warm up my robe in the morning before I get out of bed. It would make having to get up for work a hell of a lot easier.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Dimensions: 20″ x 16″ x 2″
-Warms pajamas in 10 minutes
-Integrated heating element reaches 118º F
-Can also accommodate towels, hats, or gloves
-Folds for convenient storage
-Thermal satin interior
-Plush fleece exterior
-Plugs into AC
-Only uses 50 watts of power
The weather has been downright miserable these past couple of days. If any of you have looked outside today, then you know what I mean. And if you thought a little rain was bad, then you’re really in for it because it’s only gonna get worse. Welcome to this blustery pre-winter season!
After a long day of battling cold weather, it’s nice to come home to warm house. What’s that? Your heat is broken? Total bummer. Well, at least your tootsies can be toasty with the Luxury Heatable Cozy Boots (Latest Buy, $29.95). Whether you’re suffering from a debilitating ailment like arthritis or you’ve just had a tough day at the office, these booties will offer your feet oodles of soothing relief. In less than two minutes in the microwave, the booties will be transformed into warming feet cushions. Both the inside and outside of the bootie is made of soft plush and is filled with wheat grains as well as relaxing lavender flowers. And in case all that wasn’t enough to convince you, the booties can also be frozen to aid injuries or just plain cool down your feet on a hot day.
It should go without saying, but please don’t wear these booties outside. They’re meant for relaxation, not hiking up a mountain or trekking through the snow. They’re just boot shaped, that’s the only relation.
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Offers soothing relief
-Heat boots in microwave for a maximum of 90 seconds
-Can also be frozen for 3 hours prior to use
-Filled with wheat grains and lavender flowers
-Soft plush upper, inside and out
-Available in pink or purple
-One size fits shoe sizes 4-8 (adult)
-Not designed for walking
Calling all campers! This is the time of year when the leaves change color and the air becomes a bit crisper. In short, it’s the perfect time to camp out under the stars, if that’s your thing. Before you set out for the middle of nowhere, it’s best to get all your supplies together so you don’t forget anything (it’s not like you can just run out and get it when you’re in the woods). One of the most important staples for camping, besides the tent, is a sleeping bag. But are all sleeping bags created alike? That’s a giant NO.
For those serious campers out there, the Musuc Bag (Firebox UK, £89.95) will blow your mind. Who even needs a tent when you have this wearable sleeping bag? That’s right, it’s a sleeping bag jumpsuit – can it get any more awesome? Along with its high quality construction, this sleeping bag also boasts a multitude of comfort enhancing qualities including reversible zippers, an integral hood, and a reinforced crotch area. Did I mention it can withstand temperatures as low as -13 degrees Celsius? Seriously, leave the tent at home because you’re set.
My only question is, why happens when you have to pee?
4 out of 5 stars.
Specs:
-Wearable sleeping bag
-Withstands temperatures as low as -13°C
-Reversible zippers
-Integral hood
-Reinforced crotch area
-Available in black, blue, or pink
-Available in medium or large
-Made of nylon
-Suitable for ages 16 and up
