The appeal of blankets is not only tactile, however. Children and younger teens are fond of bedding that celebrates favorite cartoon characters, sports figures and teams, movies and TV shows, musicians, and so on. As far as we know, on the other hand, we have yet to see historic or political figures of any political stripe celebrated on blankets – which makes sense because, unless perhaps your side just won in an election, thinking about politics is rarely conducive to a good night’s sleep.

On the other hand, what’s more restful than puppies or kittens or other adorable young animals? So, naturally, our favorite furry friends show up regularly on blankets and other bedding material. The irony there being that, while critters may not require blankets, they obviously love them at least as much as humans; hence their compulsion to jump on them, loll about with us if we’re indulgent pet-parents, and occasionally partially devour them.

Considering how much we love blankets and considering that uncertain times breeds a certain feeling of insecurity, it is entirely logical that right now we are seeing the burgeoning of new kinds of blanket/clothing hybrids, allowing us to pleasurably loll about in blanketed warmth wherever we are in the house. It’s true these may not be the height of fashion for a night on the town, and they are a favorite target of at least one late-night comedian, but let him joke. Especially as many of us lower the thermostat for both environmental and ecological reasons during the cooler months, having a portable way to keep extra warm makes perfect sense. If it provides some sense of security to us even in adulthood, what’s wrong with that?

Of course, in a tight economy, purchasing inexpensive wholesale blankets of any kind may make us feel even more secure – and saving a little money is never a bad thing. Cheap or expensive, close-out deals or brand new out of the factory, other than clothes, no category of product is as intimate in terms of covering our bodies and providing physical and emotional comfort as blankets. We all need a little warmth.