Now that Thanksgiving has passed and Black Friday is dying down, we have a whole month of endless Christmas carols and copious amounts of cheer to look forward to. For some people, it is their favorite time of year, and for others, it's a month they would rather skip. Regardless, here are the 5 best things about the month of December!

1 - Cold Weather

Easily the best indicator that December has arrived is the weather. Many of the northern states in America are hit by snowfall by the end of November, and the rest of us get sweater weather and the hopes of having a white Christmas. The temperatures drop to the 40s and 30s, and we are able to see a breath all the way through February! Winter weather truly is special, and it arrives with December with a chill!

2 - Winter Break!

The first thing to usually hit most people in December is the fabulous sensation known as winter break. All the kids are out of school, the older ones are home for the holidays, and everyone has some good old family togetherness. A break from the fast lane of learning and living is much needed, whether it only be for a few days or an entire month. Whatever the case, winter break is the almost always the best part of December for kids across the country and around the world!

3 - Doing Nothing Around the Fire

When there is cold weather, and when there is a fire, there is someone bundled up in a warm blanket and reading a good book! A good fire in the fireplace in December is a winter staple, and nearly every house has one at some point. Being able to just bask in the warmth and sit, relax, and do next to nothing is a virtue of December that is often overlooked. If your house does not put on a fire in December, I highly recommend it!

4 - The Best Food

Another part of December that is often overlooked is the great food. Many winter specials, such as hot chocolate, stews, and soups, are always very tasty in the cold winter weather, and you simply cannot have a December without them. Even more so is the Christmas dinner; having all of the family around for a gigantic meal that is sure to have everyone napping in a few hours is nothing short of magical. December and food are two things that go together like Christmas and presents!

5 - The Holidays

December would not be as special as it is without Christmas, Hannukah, and every holiday that every family celebrates over the break. Gift giving always warms the heart, and seeing the looks on everyone's' faces when they wake up the morning of Christmas is a priceless event that no one would ever want to miss. December is a very special month, and it is the perfect ending to every single year. After December comes January, and we get to tackle what 2017 brings us!

But first, let's all slow done and enjoy a little togetherness and cheer!