A Cozy Christmas Read

December 24, 2019

INTRODUCTION

Since starting university, I haven't read a lot just for the fun of reading, except for on my Christmas and Summer breaks.

I grew up in a very small town where there was very little to do, and my parents’ house was actually 10 minutes from town. So, when I tell you I lived in the middle of nowhere, I mean I lived in the middle of nowhere. My parents’ house was so far into the woods, we had dial-up internet until I was in university (I grantee there are readers here who don’t remember dial-up, and let’s be clear, I’m only 23), and even now, it is limited and is only so many gigabytes per month, so Netflix was not an option, the boredom was real.

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So, over my Christmas breaks my two choices of entertainment was watching Hallmark Christmas movies (which I love by the way), and catching up on my never ending “to be read” list. Typically, my Christmas breaks would be about three weeks long, and I averaged 5 books a week during that break.

I know that the fact that I had little to nothing to do when I was home played a large part in my reading habits, but there was always something more than that. Over my summer breaks I never read that much.

Christmas time has a certain coziness about it that makes for the perfect reading atmosphere. There is nothing more comforting than curling up with a good book next to the woodstove (yes, my parents have a woodstove in the middle of their living room) with a cup of coffee or cocoa in your hand.

Today, I'm recreating the wonderful feelings that can only come from the perfect Cozy Christmas Read:

A Good Book

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Obviously the first step to the perfect Cozy Christmas Read is a good book. This time of year, I read any and all of the books on my “to read” list, but for the best Christmas feelings, I love to read books that are actually centered around Christmas. The first book I'm starting with this season is Christmas Sisters by Sarah Morgan.

Some old Christmas favourites have been (sorry, I really only read YA novels):

Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares and the sequel, The Twelve Days of Dash and Lily by Rachel Cohn & David Livithan
Winter Town by Stephen Edmond
Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle (the Netflix adaptation of this is a good Christmas watch too)
What Light by Jay Asher
My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories edited by Stephanie Perkins

Comfy Matters for Cozy

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To me, reading is not so fun if you're not comfortable.

I think the key to a Cozy Christmas Read is a comfortable seat. If you’re a binge reader like me, maybe you’ll want somewhere you can switch how you’re sitting/laying every once and a while. I’m one of those people that sits and lays in just about every which way while reading and I change my position every couple of chapters. So I prefer a good couch (to myself) or my bed.

I also think that what you’re wearing MATTERS. PJs or sweats are practically a must if you’re trying to achieve the ultimate cozy feelings. Bonus Points if your jammies are Christmas-y (Old Navy jingle jammies are my fav).

Another great add on is a pair of cozy socks or slippers. I’m not usually a sock girl, but the “reading socks” from Chapters/Indigo are amazing. ALSO, a fluffy blanket and/or sweater makes everything better.

A Warm Drink

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I am a HUGE coffee drinker, so that's typically my drink of choice while curled up reading. Tea is also good, but not as good as coffee.

Since this time it's all about setting up the Cozy Christmas Read atmosphere, hot chocolate with a peppermint stick is just perfection. Nothing screams Holiday drink like peppermint hot chocolate.

Also, having a festive mug is my favorite. I LOVE mugs, I have a large collection, and this year I thrifted a vintage “Merry Christmas” mug with a Santa on it and I swear it makes my peppermint hot chocolate taste better

Lighting

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Candles and/or twinkle lights make everything more magical. The faint glow of the Christmas tree and the smell of an evergreen candle burning is a wonderful thing.

Snacks

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Okay, so I am a snacker, but I also am weird about getting food on my books, so I never eat something that could transfer to my pages. SO, Christmas cookies are perfect for a Cozy Christmas Read (bake christmas cookies with Alexandra below).

Fireplace

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This last one may be a little bit extra, but honestly, I think it is so fun and I don’t care if people judge me for it. Turning on your tv or laptop to the “fireside” channel is the best. It cranks the Cozy Christmas Read feelings so high and I love it.

Like I mentioned before, my parents had a real woodstove and the sounds of the crackling fire made the room feel peaceful and so why not recreate that feeling on your screen?

Bookstagram Challenge

Now, if you’re like me, and you’re thinking “this Cozy Christmas Read scenario sounds like a great Instagram post” then you’re right (I know I just called myself right, but I do it all the time, it’s fine). So, I want to challenge you to get your Cozy Christmas Read on and tag us in your post! Snap a picture of how you’ve made the perfect atmosphere for the coziest Christmas read, what book you’re reading, and if there is anything else you think makes reading at Christmas time the coziest.

Need some Inspiration? Here are a few of my favorite Instagram pictures that inspired me to write this blog:

bookstagram holiday themed pictures by book lovers

Visit @Sarahchapter | Visit @Thedarklingone | Visit @AustinRutland

Quick tips for your bookstagram photo:

Natural light makes a difference in a photo, but sometimes the coziest feelings come from the glow of a lamp and some twinkle lights.
A picture near a window with some snow in the background makes the holiday feels come alive.
Adding little things like garland, pinecones, Christmas bulbs, red and green pillows make the feeling of the photo even more Christmas-y!
Have fun with it! It’s all a little silly, but why not join in?!

Bonus: Baking Christmas Cookies

You know christmas cookies are my go-to cozy reading snacks. Sooo, to end this post on a sweet note, here's Alexandra Roselyn, one of the coolest booktubers around, baking Christmas cookies:

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Let’s Meet in the Comments
What's your favourite part of the Holiday Season?

Stay Cozy & Happy Reading,
Taylor

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Best money spent on blanket

I’m a huge blanket nerd, having paid over 200 dollars on some weighted and heated ones. My hubby jokes that I’m turning our home into a blanket fort. Anyways, the unique designs and softness of the inner fabric easily makes this my favourite blanket! And it’s HOODED! I rarely use any of my other blankets because this one does such a good job trapping in all the coziness (it keeps me warm in -20 Canadian winters) and the button lets me have it on my shoulders with total ease when walking around. The blanket arrived faster than expected in a week and it came with a cute hot chocolate recipe! Enough to say that I’m a HUGE fan of my hooded blanket and plan on getting more as gifts for my family and friends once they restock since they’re always selling out fast!

I love it

A friend told me how much she loves her hooded blanket and couldn’t stop recommending it. I finally got one and it’s absolutely worth it! You can wait when they discount it to 99 to save money. I’m now that friend that recommends to everyone lol they also send a hot chocolate recipe!!

Cozy and soft cloak

This cloak is sized for teens to adults. On little kids the neck button wouldn't sit right but it would still be cute I'm sure. I was worried by the other reviews saying the outer fabric wasn't soft. It was a little stiff coming out of the package but I washed it and it's nice now. It isn't fuzzy on the outside, it's smooth with just a bit of texture, and the inside has the flocked fleece. It is a lightweight fleece but still toasty! I love the pattern and think my son will enjoy his present!

Makes me feel like a wizard

This blanket is fantastic! Starting right off the bat with very nice packaging (it came sealed in a reusable vaccuum bag). Included with the blanket is a little card with a hot chocolate recipe which is very cute! The design of the blanket itself is fabulous, and the patterns are pretty and bright. I like the elastic that fastens to the button, so it's almost more like a cape and I still have free movement for my arms and hands. It also comes with an extra button just in case. It's cute, cozy and makes me feel like a wizard walling around the house!

Soft and comfy

This hooded blanket is really soft and keeps you warm. Good quality and fits all my kids great. Has a bunch of cute cats on it and the inside is like cotton. Very comfortable.

The hood makes this a win!

It is long, mid calf, on my eight year old grandson just as he likes it and the hood makes it fun. The material is somewhat thin but he reports that it is cozy and he likes how it feels. It comes with an extra button. The button closer works but this could be improved as it has opened when he is moving around. It is very colorful with a nicely designed print and the video theme was perfect. The price seemed a little high for the quality of the material. This makes a nice gift for a young person.

Amazing!! 🤩

Super soft and comfortable. You can tell it’s made really well. Plenty warm. It also can button around your neck like a cape!! It’s awesome! Highly recommend!

Big and Cozy

It does fluff out just a little bit more after you wash it. It comes in one of those vacuum sealed storage bags so it was like super squashed down when I pulled it out of the pack. And that little vacuum bag is reusable by the way. Also enclosed in the packaging was a nice little thank you card with a hot chocolate recipe on the back. Haven't tried it yet but it looks tasty. The stitching is pretty good along the edges of the blanket. The little button on it does seem a little bit small and flimsy but it did come with an extra one. The blanket itself is nice and soft on the inside. The outside has a more durable feel to it. Coloring of the print design looks to be nice and rich in color. Should hold up to the washing machine fairly well through a good number of washes before fading. It wrapped around me pretty well and when laid out flat it is big enough to share with someone. Definitely looking forward to a night by the fire pit with this wrapped around me and some smores going. My wife and boys are gonna be jealous. LOL!

Great Cozy Blanket Cloak

PROS
+Large Size
+Soft furry side is cozy & warm
+Attractive Design options
+Very Giftable

CONS
-None so far

SUMMARY
This is a nice hooded blanket that allows you to wear it around like a cloak. It has a button and loop that you use to keep it on. We chose the Dreamer design with the moon and floating books. Love it!

A Readers Dream

This has to be the cutest and most ingenious purchase I have done. As a book nerd, I sometimes find myself with a normal blanket wrapped around myself and twisting it around my neck as a handsfree cape and this was an all in one hooded blanket cape! The design was beautiful and its so soft and thick material. I was the envy of my family. Customer service was so helpful when my package was delayed during christmas season and resolved the issue with no problem. I will definitely come back and purchase another blanket for myself or as a present.

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A Cozy Christmas Read

INTRODUCTION

A Good Book

Comfy Matters for Cozy

A Warm Drink

Lighting

Snacks

Fireplace

Bookstagram Challenge

Visit @Sarahchapter | Visit @Thedarklingone | Visit @AustinRutland

Bonus: Baking Christmas Cookies

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Let customers speak for us

Country/region

INTRODUCTION

A Good Book

Comfy Matters for Cozy

A Warm Drink

Lighting

Snacks

Fireplace

Bookstagram Challenge

Visit @Sarahchapter | Visit @Thedarklingone | Visit @AustinRutland

Bonus: Baking Christmas Cookies

Leave a comment

Let customers speak for us