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Why Hot Water Bottles Are The *Best* (Plus, 9 Cute Covers)

They're the ultimate in thrifty-yet-thoughtful giving.
Three hot water bottle covers: One from Roots, like a cozy sock, one a plaid and one knit with a fox

One Christmas, fresh from losing my job and worried about money, I knitted my parents and brother cabled hot water bottle covers, and paired each with a store-brand hot water bottle. They remain the cheapest, best gifts I’ve ever given—my parents still use the bottles regularly to ease aches and pains and counter cold winters.

I made one for myself, too, and years later, rely on it as a combination adult-stuffed-animal/security blanket/chill fighter. (Now that our house is dogless, it’s also the next best thing to cuddling with a warm pet.) In other words—a hot water bottle, with a cute cover (the cover is important for not only maximum coziness, but also burn prevention—those things get hot) is the ultimate in thrifty-yet-thoughtful giving.

Simons

Rainbow hot-water bottle cover, $15, Simons.

Why Hot Water Bottles Are The *Best* (Plus, 9 Cute Covers)

Etsy

FoxAndPineWoolies hand-knit fox hot water bottle cover, $60, Etsy.

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Why Hot Water Bottles Are The *Best* (Plus, 9 Cute Covers)

Indigo

Love And Lore faux fur hot water bottle cover and bottle, $30, Indigo.

Indigo LOVE AND LORE FAUX FUR HOT WATER BOTTLE BLACK

Etsy

CocoThePittie knitted hot water bottle cover, $45, Etsy.

Grey knit hot water bottle cover with white-outlined red cross

Roots

Cabin Hot Water Bottle, $30, Roots.

Roots Cabin Hot Water Bottle cover, $30

Knit your own cover

Cabled hot water bottle cosy pattern, free, Ravelry.

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A grey double cabled knit hot water bottle cover

Indigo

Chenille Cable Knit Hot Water Bottle, $30, Indigo.

CHENILLE CABLE KNIT HOT WATER BOTTLE SPARKLING ROSÉ Indio

Lee Valley

Long hot water bottle, $50, Lee Valley.

Lee Valley Long Hot-Water Bottle

Canadian Tire

CANVAS Hot Water Bottle, Plaid, $20, Canadian Tire.

Canadian Tire Canvas hot water bottle cover

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Born in London, Ontario, Gillian is Chatelaine's deputy editor, digital. She has also worked at Toronto Life and the National Post. Gillian cares deeply about fighting climate change and loves birds, sad lady singers, bikes, baking and wide-legged denim. She lives in Toronto's east end with her partner, two children and Rosie, her very exuberant Bouvier des Flandres.

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