Winter in the 1960s and 70s was a very different experience from today, especially in old farmhouses. I used to stay with my grandparents in a big, drafty house with no insulation and a woodstove that went cold at night. Yet we stayed warm.
Blankets and quilts were essential. Feather beds and so many layered quilts made it hard to turn over, but the warmth was undeniable. Hot water bottles tucked under covers, heavy curtains, and draft stoppers were everyday tools. In the kitchen, ovens sometimes doubled as emergency heaters; the heat from baking bread or cookies would circulate through the room, creating a cozy atmosphere.
Clothing followed the same practical logic: wool socks, thermal underwear, sweaters, and sometimes even hats indoors in particularly cold rooms. Families huddled together, shared warm drinks, and relied on each other’s body heat.
Cars required ingenuity too. Extra blankets, snow brushes, and hand warmers were essential. Waiting for a cold engine to warm up wasn’t just a convenience—it was a ritual.
Even music brought warmth to memory. I think I hear John Denver singing Grandma’s Feather Bed 🎶, reminding me of nights in that farmhouse, the quilts piled high—9 feet high and 6 feet wide—enveloping us in a cocoon of warmth and nostalgia.
Looking back, it’s fascinating how resourceful people were. These strategies combined simple materials, observation, and practical thinking. They may seem quaint now, but they were effective ways to survive—and stay cozy—long before modern heating.
What tricks did your family use to keep warm during the cold winters of the 60s and 70s?