I have a confession: I hate the fall

When nearly every other person I encounter is welcoming the vibrant foliage, crisp air, and pumpkin spice lattes, I’m begrudging bulky clothing, shorter days, and the seemingly endless cold weather ahead. There is a secret to making it through until next summer, however. As I’m sure you’ve guessed, it’s my nieces and nephew. The chilly temps also turn them into the cuddliest of snuggle bugs. There’s nothing better than burrowing under a pile of blankets with them to watch a movie.

Because we can’t be with them 24/7, I want to ensure that they stay as comfy and cozy as humanly possible. Here are some ways to keep them toasty warm while still looking cool.

Keep them warm with: a hoodie!

Who doesn’t love hooded sweatshirts? They’re comfortable. They’re practical. They’re possibly the most key element of autumnal attire.

The Savvy Auntie spin: Hoodies practically turn the wearer into a walking billboard. “You heart NY? Me too!” or “I can tell you like Batman by the giant logo across your chest!” Why just let them show their love for Batman when they can actually be Batman! ThinkGeek has just the thing! This hoodie has a built-in Batman cape and mask for the little Caped Crusader.

Keep them warm with: earmuffs!

The Savvy Auntie spin: Help take the edge off of frosty bus stop mornings. No longer do the kids need to choose between listening to music and freezing their ears off or keeping warm in radio silence. With headphone earmuffs (http://tinyurl.com/n4otmkw), they can have the best of both worlds.

Keep them warm with: slippers! This is no time for bare feet.

The Savvy Auntie spin: Imagine if slipping into a pair of slippers felt like slipping your tootsies into warm, fluffy marshmallows. That is now an actual possibility with Smoko’s s’mores foot warmers. They are perfect for nieces in college-- those dorms can get mighty chilly!

Keep them warm with: mittens!

The Savvy Auntie spin: Bundling up automatically becomes a game when mittens can double as puppets. Whether sharks or unicorns, their little patties will stay toasty while their imaginations run wild!

Published: October 29, 2014