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What Makes You Cozy?

November 30, 2021

What Makes You Cozy?

I recently finished Isabel Gillies's book Cozy: The Art of Arranging Yourself in the World. While I was reading this book, I found myself asking everyone around me the same question: "What makes you cozy?"

What I discovered is that a lot of people had similar answers. Here are the ones that I heard the most. Can you spot a common denominator?

  • a cup of tea
  • a fireplace 
  • a warm blanket
  • a snuggly pet 
  • fuzzy pajamas
  • a bubble bath
  • thick socks
  • wool sweaters

It's plain to see that being cozy requires warmth, especially in a cold climate or season, which seems to be when we crave coziness the most. 

Interestingly, the most common answer I heard to my cozy query was "tea." It makes perfect sense that the little sweater you put on a teapot to keep it warm is called a tea cozy. Isn't that the coziest word you've ever learned?

"I can't know what everyone will think is cozy, but, in my late forties, if I've learned anything, it's that we are all pretty much the same."

Isabel Gillies, Cozy: The Art of Arranging Yourself in the World

One of the most unique answers I heard was from a little boy from Winnipeg who said that his facemask makes him cozy! Even after a long day at school, he's not in a rush to take it off when he gets home.

Home is another cozy word. Did you know that an old teapot makes a cozy home for a bird? You can also turn a teacup and saucer into a bird feeder. What comes to mind when you think of home? For me, it's all about baking in a cozy kitchen! Isabel Gillies prides herself in having comfort foods available when her family gets home. She shares several recipes for foods like applesauce and muffin batter. What are your go-to comfort foods?

cozy

Glossary

  • common denominator: a shared feature
  • cozy: feeling comfortable, warm, and relaxed
  • crave: to have a strong need or desire for
  • query: a question
  • tea cozy: a little sweater for a teapot that keeps the tea warm
  • comfort foods: foods that make you feel good or at home
  • batter: a mixture of flour and liquids for baking
  • go-to: the ones you return to again and again

Question of the Month

What makes you cozy?

Share your own list in the comments below! You can include things (pencils), words (tea cozy), activities (making Christmas crafts), and of course comfort foods and hot drinks (banana bread, peppermint tea). 

 

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Comments (32)

Fatima C.(Student)

something that make me feel cozy is a warm blanket and a cup of tea/coffee/ chocolate

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Tara Benwell(Author)

Me too! I can't wait to gift my family with a new cozy blanket for Christmas. Our pup has chewed holes in all of our favourite blankies.

Charles I.(Teacher)

I feel cozy in a warm car when it is raining outside. Hot chocolate at Disney World. Also, that feeling of getting into the hot water when I take a bath.

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Tara Benwell(Author)

Ooh yes. The car! Road trips are so cozy, especially if I'm not driving. I used to love watching my son's soccer practices from the car when it was raining.

Grace S.(Teacher)

Watching the snow slowly falling down and covering evergreen trees, blanketing all the ground with fluffy white snowflakes while I am sitting by a fireplace surrounded by my loved ones.
That feels magically cozy.

Tanya Trusler(Author)

Sounds heavenly, Grace! Fireplaces are so cozy, and it doesn't get much better than watching the snow fall while in front of one.

Lily M.(Teacher)

*Home-made gingerbread cookies with a steaming cup of tea.

*Watching tele with my blanket and my sweet husband rubbing my feet.
*Sitting by the fireplace with hot cocoa and roasting marshmallows.
*Being in the back of our truck on a winter night, cuddled up watching for shooting stars and looking at the constelations.

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Tanya Trusler(Author)

Those are all such great examples of being cozy! Thanks for sharing them, Lily.

Rosana L.(Teacher)

Something that really makes me feel cozy is a nice hot bath and later rub on a gorgeous and smelly body cream on my legs and feet. I feel this so comforting and relaxing.

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Tanya Trusler(Author)

I agree, Rosana! You can't beat a relaxing bubble bath.

Tanya B.(Teacher)

My students said our online ESL class and cups of tea make them feel cozy!

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    Tanya Trusler(Author)

    That's so sweet. Thanks for sharing, Tanya!

    Lori L.(Teacher)

    There’s something very cozy about sitting near the fireplace with my knitting and watching a snowstorm outside my window.

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    Tanya Trusler(Author)

    That sounds very cozy indeed, Lori!

    Angela V.(Teacher)

    I feel cozy when I am warm. I like wearing thick socks in the winter. I also love watching movies in really cold days. Also wearing comfortable and warm pijamas makes me feel cozy in the winter.

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    Tanya Trusler(Author)

    My fuzzy pyjamas make me feel very cozy too, Angela. And thick, warm socks are the best!

    Rosana L.(Teacher)

    What makes me feel cozy is when I am on a beautiful beach.

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    Tanya Trusler(Author)

    That sounds great, Rosana! I think I'll dream about a beautiful beach too while I'm looking at all the snow outside.

    Xiaoqing J.(Student)

    Something make me cozy is a cup of hot latte with a piece of cake. When I feel sad, they would make me feel better. Everyday is good starting after I enjoy them.

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    Tanya Trusler(Author)

    That sounds very cozy, Xiaoqing. Hot drinks make me feel cozy too, and they're even better with something sweet. Thanks for sharing!

    Tara Benwell(Author)

    These days I feel cozy when The New Yorker arrives in my mailbox. I open up to the crossword and do my best until I have to start calling on family members to help. The little illustrations and cartoons throughout the magazine make me feel cozy too.

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    Tanya Trusler(Author)

    That sounds cozy and fun, Tara! I find I get too frustrated doing crosswords alone, but my sister and I like doing them together when we go camping. Doing crosswords around the campfire is extra cozy! Since it's not camping weather in Canada right now, I stay cozy on the couch under my heated blanket with hot tea and a good book.

    Tara Benwell(Author)

    Crosswords by the campfire sounds so cozy, Tanya! When I was growing up, there was always a crossword in progress on the kitchen table, so I guess that's why I find them cozy. If you find any new cozy teas, let me know! I just tried a red chai tea that tasted like cinnamon hearts. Mmm...

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    Tanya Trusler(Author)

    Sounds delicious, Tara! My new favourite cozy teas are Reishi Relax, Sleepy Lychee, and Ashwagandha Chai (all blends from davidstea.com). Your new tea sounds a lot like the last one in my list!

    Blair J.(Teacher)

    Some things that make me feel cozy are cats, blankets, cats on blankets, blankets on cats, sitting with cats under blankets, sitting with cats over blankets and blankets with pictures of cats on them.

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    Tara Benwell(Author)

    Ha! Thanks for the giggle, Blair! I feel similarly cozy with my pup. I think every other picture on my phone is of my dog snuggled in a blanket.

    Jeanine C.(Teacher)

    I have a chenille shawl with fringe on it. It's the best for this time of year. I put on my shawl, turn on my electric fireplace, snuggle up to my two cats and cozy up with a book.

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    Ibtesam A.(Student)

    Cozy makes tea ,comfort food when she’s come her house.

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    John O.(Teacher)

    BBC Radio - on a winter's night: maybe a good drama, a comedy or a documentary. The dulcet tones of the many British dialects for some reason offer me solace.

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    Tara Benwell(Author)

    Sounds cozy, John!

    Jasmine T.(Student)

    I drink coffee or hot tea for new day

    Reply to Comment

    Tara Benwell(Author)

    A warm beverage is the coziest thing on a cold day like today!

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