For those who aren’t into cold weather and crazy crowds, winter gets a bad reputation. Sure, we all love autumn, when the leaves start changing colors and the temperature goes from excruciatingly hot to semi-cool, but there’s something about staying inside on a snowy day, cuddled up next to your loved ones (or pets) with a hot drink in your hand. There’s something about the holiday cheer in the air and the shopping trips with your family. Winter is underrated, and below are five reasons why.
- Sweater Weather
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Winter is the official start of Sweater Weather – for those who live in the South. When the temperatures start dropping, the cold weather gear comes out. I wait all year for a valid excuse to wear comfy hoodies every day, and the season is finally here. I also love seeing other people dressed in their sweaters and fancy jackets. It’s a reminder that we don’t have to sacrifice fashion for comfort.
- Hot Drinks
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Mexican hot chocolate, anyone? Hot drinks are a must for winter. Whether you’re a coffee person or a chai latte person, hot beverages can be a savior when you’re standing in the cold. They’re also a cozy option for when you’re wrapped in blankets and binge-watching The Mandalorian. Who doesn’t love the feeling of a hot chai latte warming you up with each sip?
- Shopping
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‘Tis the season for great deals. With the holidays rapidly approaching, the shopping season starts with a bang on Black Friday (or Thanksgiving, thanks to Walmart). For shopping addicts like myself, this season is dangerous because the deals are often too good to miss. It’s the perfect time to check a few things off your Christmas shopping list, while they’re marked down.
- Holidays
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Although I’m not a huge holiday person myself, the holidays are synonymous with winter. It doesn’t matter whether you celebrate Christmas, Kwanza, Hanukkah, etc., December is the month for family get-togethers and gift-giving. Even though the holidays are toward the end of the month, the holiday cheer is almost contagious when you start to see decorations and hear music everywhere you go.
- Snow
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Finally, the ultimate perk of winter – snow! I grew up in Colorado and learned to love snow from the start. For people who enjoy sports, winter is a great time to break out the skis, snowboard or sled and take a day off to enjoy themselves. For the rest of us, snow is an excuse to take a much-needed day off from real life. Especially as Americans, we forget that self-care is essential, and sometimes self-care means spending a day on the couch, eating junk food and drinking hot chocolate from your favorite mug.