When you ask someone what their favorite season is, the first answer thrown back at you is usually something like, "Summer because there's no school, duh," along with an explanation of everything that can be done during that time period. However, occasionally you get hit with winter as the most important season.

While doing some thinking one day (by thinking I mean finding "Home Alone 2" on the television and eventually spiraling down a jingly ball of thoughts), I finally realized that winter is indeed the best season.

Here's why:

1. The Holidays!

I think that this first one speaks for itself. Everyone loves the holidays, from the food to the presents to seeing family you don't usually get to see. I mean really, what other season has a holiday that lets you ask for crazy things like puppies and new phones? And let's not even get into ugly sweater contests and winning a game of Dreidel. Every winter, the holidays bring joy and lots of laughs that are always remembered for years to come.

2. The Smells.

Okay, bear with me here. The smells of winter are better than any other time of year. Everything is clean and fresh, making you feel cozy. From pine to hot cocoa and cranberry to bubbling champagne, each scent is unique but will remind you of one specific minute in time that you never want to forget. You can step outside into the snow and breathe in deeply, smelling freshness that you never knew a simple frozen raindrop could hold.

3. Feeling Love.

No, I am not at all saying that during the rest of the year you shouldn't show anyone affection. I'm also not saying that winter is "cuffing season" and you should get a boyfriend or girlfriend just for the season and leave them once summer comes. What I do mean is that winter is colder, and just feels right for cuddling. Why go out into the cold snowstorm when you could stay cuddled up on the love-seat with a mug of hot chocolate, a plate of cookies, and the people/person that you love the most?

However, if you do decide to brave the outside world, you'll be blessed enough to see some beautiful sights. Elderly couples holding hands like it's their first date or a husband and wife with their first baby swaddled up in adorable homemade sweaters. Even a family of five with their black lab scanning the snow-covered field for the perfect tree to take home and decorate. I bet just from thinking of that, a smile forms on your face.

4. Snow!

Yes, I know it's cold. Yes, your hands go numb and your nose now looks like the famous Christmas reindeer's. However, when else do you get to slide down a pile of ice on nothing more than a piece of plastic or a pool tube? And making a snowman and adding its carrot nose and top-hat? I don't recall being able to do that at the beach or out of dead leaves during fall. Running and sliding down a steep hill in my non-traction Ugg boots never fails to give me a good laugh over and over again. There are so many ways to approach going out into the snow, and no one ever runs out of ideas!

5. Gingerbread EVERYTHING.

From houses to coffee creamer, gingerbread can be found in every aisle of the grocery store in some way during the winter. I don't know about you, but I love gingerbread. With that being said, I'm willing to try gingerbread popcorn if that were in front of me.

6. Hot Drinks All Day Every Day.

Don't get me wrong, I love my iced coffee. However, warm drinks will always have my heart. The feeling of sitting outside in the cold with friends and having a hot chocolate fill your stomach is such an awesome one.

7. Black Friday/Cyber Monday!

Okay, I know technically these take place in November, but still. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the two biggest shopping days of the year besides for right before Christmas. It's a fun (but crowded) thing to do once a year! (And let's not forget to appreciate the workers!)

8. Christmas Movies.

Who doesn't love being snuggled in fuzzy pajama pants and watching "Elf" and "The Polar Express?" Christmas movies are one of my favorite parts of December and always will be. There's nothing like writing down the ABC Family month of Christmas Movie list down and crossing each one off.

9. Decorating Trees/Houses.

Something about cutting down a fresh pine tree and putting personalized ornaments on it is heart-warming to me. It's crazy to think that depending on the household, the holiday being celebrated, and other components, a tree or house is decorated differently for everyone. I think it is such an adorable concept. I remember being younger and helping my mom pull all of the totes from the basement and unpacking every decoration.