2. Tea & other hot drinks at the ready. Speaking of cocoa, stock your pantry up with various teas, hot chocolate mix, different roasts of coffee (or flavors… if you’re into that) and it wouldn’t hurt to have some brandies and liqueurs available for adults to give their steamy libation a little kick!

3. A flickering fireplace or woodstove. If you’ve got a fireplace or woodstove set up in your living or family room, you’ve got cozy down in spades! Oh my goodness, the comfort a warm fire can give on a bitter cold winter day. Hate messing with the fireplace? Go with packaged firelogs. They’re essentially compressed wood sawdust infused with a wax-like substance and all you’ve got to do is light the paper wrapper. Voila! Instant cozy!

4. Cozy Socks! Not actually a décor item, they still give off a sense of snug contentedness for both the wearer and companions who see them on your feet. Fuzzy wool is the best but there’s tons of synthetics that can also do the trick if you’re sensitive to wool. Have a couple pair on hand for chilled-to-the-bone visitors, too!

5. Candles, Candles, Candles! Just like the aura a fireplace gives off, groupings of 5 or 7 burning candles has virtually the same effect. I’m a fan of the real thing but if you’ve got small children or fluffy wagging tails about, there’s some really convincing fakes on the market too. Scented or unscented candlelight gives off a beautiful, warming glow.

6. Rugs! You might not think of rugs as a seasonal bit of décor but in some areas of your home where you might appreciate bare wood or tile floors for the summer weather, a fuzzy flokati rug or a deep pile oriental can add a certain je ne sais quoi. Oui oui? Definitely a magnet for dogs and cats, too!

7. Simmering Crockpots & Dutch Ovens. Doesn’t just the sound of those make your mouth water? I’m a huge fan of Dutch ovens and especially the savory smell that permeates the house when one is bubbling in the oven. When a loved one comes in from the cold, that essence will just melt away the winter chill.

8. Plants. Yes, plants. Some live plants next to a window that looks out on a stark, snow-covered landscape imbues a level of contentment. We’re in our own little safe and warm bubble inside and the sun shining on your Boston fern gives us hope for spring and at the same time softens the view.

9. Ottomans. That cozy throw I mentioned above draped over your legs resting on an ottoman just says “I’m so relaxed somebody else needs to get up and give the Dutch oven a stir, please.”

10. Books! You might not think of this as quintessential cozy, but books add a certain warmth. A few well-placed stacks of books says let’s get tucked in for the winter, curl up by the fire and read a good mystery! Books as home décor props is an old design trick and you might just convince folks you’re pouring through an Agatha Christie novel instead of just watching HGTV.