Christmas morning on the floor, socks that keep your feet warm

Short answer: On Christmas morning you often sit on the floor, where the cold gathers, so choose soft socks with a cuff that does not squeeze. The thickness should suit your living room, and the socks should stay in place while you unwrap.

The floor is the coldest place in the room

Warm air rises, and cold air stays down by the floor. When you sit by the tree unwrapping presents, your feet and legs are therefore the first to freeze. It is a simple explanation of why cold feet are so common in the morning, even in a heated room.

Feet have little to work with

The feet lie far from the centre of the body and have thin skin and little muscle, so they lose heat quickly. When you sit still, the blood is not pumped around the way it is when you walk. A layer around the foot therefore does more good than you might expect.

A soft sock without a tight cuff

Choose socks that are soft inside and do not have a hard cuff that cuts into the calf. A cuff that presses leaves marks and an unpleasant rubbing when you sit for long. See a selection among socks for women, with a fit that stays up without squeezing.

Thickness and height

With underfloor heating a thin sock may be enough, but if the floor is cold, choose a thicker one. If you also wear trousers, a taller sock is nice because it covers the ankle. Think too about the shoes you wear afterwards, so the sock does not become too thick.

If there are several of you in the morning

If there are several of you at home, a shared drawer for socks can be handy, where you can find a pair that fits. You can look at socks for men and women, which can be shared if they are the same size. That makes the morning simpler when everyone is looking for something warm.

A layer over the socks and under the sweater

Cold feet often go together with a cold upper body. If you have a thin top next to the body under a sweater, the whole body feels warmer, and the feet follow. Have a look at bamboo tops for women, which are soft to wear and do not add bulk under your clothes.

When the feet stay cold

If your feet are always ice cold, even with good socks, there can be many causes. You cannot tell from the clothes. If it bothers you or comes on suddenly, talk to your doctor and have it checked, instead of guessing.

Washing and caring for socks

Wash the socks following the care label, usually at a low temperature and without fabric softener, which can leave a film on the fabric. Turn them inside out and darn holes before they get big. Let them dry fully before you put them in the drawer, so they are ready for the next Christmas morning.

Frequently asked questions

Why do my feet get cold on Christmas morning?

Cold air gathers at the floor, and when you sit still your feet are not warmed by movement. Soft socks make a big difference, especially if the floor is cold.

Which thickness should I choose?

With underfloor heating a thin sock may be enough, but for a cold floor a thicker one is better. Think of your shoes too, so the socks do not become too thick to wear in them.

Should I have cold feet checked?

Most often it is just the cold from the floor, but if your feet are always ice cold or it comes on suddenly, talk to your doctor. Clothes can help, but they cannot make a diagnosis.