Christmas is an incredible holiday. It's filled with laughter, love, food, and a whole lot of fun. Many people get so excited for Christmas that they begin to celebrate months in advance. Some begin to celebrate before Thanksgiving has even come and gone. Some listen to Christmas music before it's even fall. Some leave up their Christmas lights all year round. If you ask for someone's favorite holiday, more times than not the answer will be Christmas. Without hesitation, it's easy to come up with why Christmas is a favorite holiday for all.

1. The joy

There is not a single soul that seems to be upset about anything around Christmas time. The spirits are up and the mood is perfect. Everyone is enjoying family time, vacations, time off work, and various Christmas time activities. Everything seems a little brighter when Christmas is coming.

2. The decorations

Everyone loves the decorations as well. You can go all out in your home with various plastic Santas or wall hangings, or you can just light a cinnamon scented candle and call it a day. However, a Christmas tree is practically a necessity, and picking it out is a process. You can decorate it with ornaments, garland, and more. You can either make it a mod podge of various styles, or you can pick a theme to decorate it with for that year. Once you're finished, the best privilege is getting to put the star or angel on top of the tree. It completes everything and truly sets Christmas into full motion.

3. The lights, specifically

Of course, I had to leave the lights out of the decorations category because it deserves a category all on its own. The lights can literally just be a string on the front porch of a house and still have a beautiful glow to them. Nothing is better than the homes that go all out in their front yards for Christmas, though. It's an entire date in itself to just drive around neighborhoods to look at Christmas lights. Furthermore, it's even better to go to locations that are known for their beautiful lights, such as the Columbus Zoo or the Clifton Mill. There's just something about lights everywhere that make everything seem more magical.

4. Presents

Come on, no one is going to complain about the presents. It isn't materialistic to enjoy that part of Christmas, because it is a fun part. It was always fun to make Christmas lists as a child for Santa to look over. It's always fun to figure out what's inside. It's also just as fun to give gifts as it is to receive them. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the pure joy on someone's face for a gift you bought them. It's also fun to do gift games such as Secret Santa or White Elephant. There really isn't a bad side to the presents portion of Christmas.

5. Family

It's the perfect time to get to spend time with family. Everyone gets decent breaks to spend time with their loved ones on Christmas day, so it's nice to see those you haven't gotten to see in a while and spend quality time with them. Throughout the year things can get hectic, so it's nice that Christmas time seems to be a great opportunity for life to slow down so you can enjoy the presence of those you love and those who love you.

6. Christmas music

You can't deny that there are some true Christmas bops. Justin Bieber's "Mistletoe?" Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You?" They're catchy. They're fun. They're burned in everyone's memories.

7. Christmas movies

None of us can deny that being curled up in a cozy blanket by the fire with hot chocolate in a mug watching Hallmark movies is a mood. I would watch those Christmas romance movies all year long if I could without being judged for it. It's the perfect weather to stay in and relax while enjoying all that TV has to offer, particularly the Christmas classics.

8. The atmosphere

There's just something indescribable about the Christmas atmosphere. All of the things on this list play into the atmosphere, and if one thing was lacking, then it just wouldn't be Christmas. Playing along with the idea of Santa and coming up with creative ways to convince the kids almost brings out the little kid in yourself as well. Christmas carolers are enjoyable to listen to. It's like no one is getting offended, no one is upset, no one is starting fights. Everyone is particularly content with life as it is.

9. Food

It's like having a second Thanksgiving. There is food everywhere you look. You get to decorate a ton of cookies and eat all the ones you "mess up" on. There's pies, desserts, mashed potatoes, and everything else you could ever want in a meal. The food is fantastic.

10. Activities

There are so many Christmas themed activities you can do. You can go see Christmas lights, watch Christmas movies, go to a Christmas concert, go to Christmas in the city -- the possibilities are endless. Practically everything is Christmas themed during this time of year as well, so you can turn anything into a Christmas adventure since everyone is in on the fun. There is never an end to all the fun you could have.

Christmas is a wonderful time of year with an aura that I wish carried on throughout every day of the year. It's fun, light-hearted, and truly the best time of the year, easily landing itself at the top of the list of everyone's favorite holidays.