How to Create A Cozy Night In: A Step-by-Step Guide

Looking for cozy night in ideas? Relax and unwind with our 5 ideas for a perfect night in, with comforting recipes, movie ideas, and more!

So, what do you need for the perfect cozy night in? Chances are you already have a lot of the makings at home already. Just because you’re staying in doesn’t mean you can’t indulge and make your cozy evening activities a little extra special.

Create a Cozy Ambiance with Candles, Music, and Scents

Dim The Lights for Instant Coziness

Turn off harsh overhead lighting and opt for lamps or twinkle lights to cast a warm, cozy glow in your living room. A few candles and some cozy blankets are the easiest ways to create an instantly comfortable space. The soft lighting will help you relax and get into a snuggly mood. 

Fill The Air With Soothing Scents

Fill your space with yummy aromas to get into that warm and cozy mindset. Our favorite scents for creating a cozy vibe are vanilla, cinnamon, and amber.

Stay away from anything too intense or overwhelming. Diffusing essential oils or simmering spices like cinnamon sticks and apples on the stove will infuse your home with a subtle scent without overpowering fragrances.

Turn On Some Background Music

Relaxing background music sets the perfect tone for your night in. Create a playlist of your favorite chill tracks, or put on some soothing classical music or classic jazz. Listen to acoustic guitar, piano melodies, or nature sounds- whatever helps you unwind.

Get Cozy with Blankets, Comfy Pillows, and Comfy Clothes

Now that your space is perfectly lit, sounding, and smelling peaceful- it's time to get yourself into the cozy spirit, too. Put on your most comfortable clothes, favorite sweats, or fuzzy socks. Cozy up under soft blankets on the couch or pile on the pillows in bed. Comfy slippers are a must. 

Kick Off Your Night With A Fun Cocktail (or Mocktail)

Nothing sets the mood for a night in like shaking up a few fun cocktails you wouldn’t normally have time to make during the week.

Need some inspiration? Check out our Pinterest page for some fun cocktails and mocktails to try.

Craving Something Hot Instead? Crafting the Perfect Cozy Beverage 

Brewing the Perfect Cup of Tea

Sometimes, hot drinks are the perfect antidote to cold nights. The ritual of preparing tea is soothing, and sipping a hot cup can help you relax and unwind after a long day. Follow these tips for brewing the perfect cozy cup.

Choose Your Favorite Blend

Think about the mood you want to create and pick your tea accordingly. For cozy evenings, our favorite tea is chamomile or mint. Green tea, white tea, and oolong are light and pleasantly aromatic. Don’t be afraid to experiment with blending your own loose-leaf teas.

Use the Right Water Temperature

Each tea requires different water temperatures for optimal flavor. Black tea brews best with boiling water around 200°F. For more delicate white and green teas, use water between 160-180°F. Going hotter can scorch the leaves. For herbal teas, boil the water first and let it sit for 2-3 minutes before steeping.

Give your tea ample time to steep and release its flavors. Black tea needs 3-5 minutes, green tea 2-3 minutes, and herbal infusions 5-7 minutes or more. Don’t over-steep or you’ll get bitterness. Taste after the minimum time and continue steeping if you want a stronger infusion.

Savor Slowly

A cup of hot tea is so comforting after a stressful day. Sip leisurely and take deep breaths. Let the aromas waft up to your nose. Appreciate the warmth seeping into your hands. Brewing and enjoying great tea is a ritual that forces you to slow down- a perfect way to transition into a relaxing night in.

The Creamiest Hot Chocolate Recipe

Step-by-step instructions to make the creamiest cup of hot cocoa. You will need the following ingredients:

• 3 ½ cups whole milk
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 4 oz bittersweet chocolate bar, chopped
• 4 oz semisweet chocolate bar, chopped
• 2 Tablespoons Dutch-processed cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 Tablespoon sugar (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the whole milk, heavy cream, and cornstarch. Whisk until smooth.
2. Add the chopped chocolate, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract. Whisk until melted and combined.
3. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it comes to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2 minutes, or until the chocolate is melted and the mixture has thickened slightly.
4. Stir in the sugar (if using) and heat until dissolved.
5. Remove the saucepan from the heat and pour the hot chocolate into mugs. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Tips for making the creamiest cup of hot chocolate:

• Use whole milk and heavy cream for the richest flavor and creamiest texture.
• Use Dutch-processed cocoa powder for a smoother, richer flavor.
• Add a pinch of cornstarch to the mixture to help thicken it.
• Don't overcook the hot chocolate, or it will become grainy.
• Serve immediately with whipped cream and marshmallows.

Cuddle Up Under a Throw Blanket and Watch A Classic Movie

A movie night watching a classic film is one of our favorite ways to enjoy a winter evening. Old Hollywood movies have a timeless charm and sophistication that instantly makes any evening feel more cozy. It can be so nice to immerse yourself in a time when life was a little simpler and the pace a little slower.

Here are some of our top picks for classic cozy viewing:

• To Catch A Thief (1955) starring Grace Kelly and Cary Grant
• Casablanca (1942) starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman
• North By Northwest (1959), directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint
• Charade (1963), starring Audrey Hepburn and Carry Grant
• Pal Joey (1957) starring Frank Sinatra, Rita Hayworth, Kim Novak

Amazon Video has the best selection of classic movies to rent or buy on-demand. 

Put on your comfiest pajamas, grab some popcorn and a glass of wine, and get transported back in time. Classic films are the perfect backdrop for a relaxing bubble bath or face mask- two more of our favorite cozy night rituals.

Homemade Pizza Your Way

Making pizza at home is a lot more fun than ordering delivery, especially when everyone can make their own and decide exactly what toppings they want. Nothing is better than cooking together in a warm and cozy kitchen and having some good conversation over a glass of red wine. 

Pre-made dough really expedites the process and takes out a lot of the time-consuming prep work. Even better, Amazon Fresh can deliver it right to your door when you’re ready to get cooking.

Sprinkle a little olive oil onto a cookie sheet and spread out the dough with your fingers. Add a little spaghetti sauce and get to topping! Here are some of our favorite things to top our homemade pizza with: 

• Caramelized onions
• Sausage meatballs
• Black olives
• Ricotta
• Basil

This Bon Appetit recipe for Classic Mozzarella Grandma Pie has all the tips for making the perfect pizza with the crispiest crust at home.

End The Night On A Sweet Note With An Ooey Gooey Chocolate Chip Cookie

Chocolate chip cookies are always a crowd-pleaser, and nothing beats a warm chocolate chip cookie straight from the oven.

If you haven’t tried the famous Pan-Banging Chocolate Chip Cookies from The Vanilla Bean Blog, you’ve got to give them a try! They are hands down the best chocolate chip cookie recipe out there.

Making the dough is slightly involved (but so worth it!), but the best part is you can make the dough ahead and keep the cookie dough balls in the freezer. Any time you're craving something a little sweet you can pop a couple dough balls in the oven and have fresh baked cookies in under 10 minutes!

Top with a little flaky sea salt for the perfect bite!

This blog was about creating the perfect cozy night in.

A cozy night in is all about indulging in relaxing rituals and comforts. Here are some or our favorite ways to spend the perfect cozy night at home:

• Set the ambiance with candles, blankets, calming scents, and music
• Put on comfy loungewear and fuzzy slippers
• Sip warming beverages like tea, hot chocolate, or make a fun cocktail if you're feeling inspired
• Make your favorite comfort foods like popcorn, pizza, and cookies
• Queue up a classic feel-good movie or read a good book
• Take time to restore with a long bath, face mask, or meditation

The beauty of a night in is making it your own. Experiment to find what soothes your soul. Maybe lively board games are more your speed or blissing out to a guided yoga sessions. There's no one right way- discover your perfect recipe for coziness.

What does your ideal cozy night look like? Share your favorite ideas below for warming up on cold nights!

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