Halloween is officially behind us. The half-price candy has already been picked over, and everyone has had their fix of spooky for the year. What now? For far too many of us, our minds skip straight from pumpkin to peppermint and quickly replace our cobwebs for Christmas lights. I realize I am definitely a minority in a day and age where Wal-Mart starts selling Christmas trees in August, but I just cannot bear the thought of skipping over Thanksgiving and going straight into full-on Christmas mode. And don't get me wrong, I love Micheal Bublé's Christmas album just as much as the next person, but skipping over Thanksgiving and November means skipping over one of the best and the most underrated times of the year.

1. It's still fall!!!

Thanksgiving aside for a moment, going straight from October to December means skipping 1/3 of fall. And why would you want to skip over an entire month of pumpkin EVERYTHING, pretty leaves, and days that are cool enough for a sweater but warm enough to not need a coat. Winter is great and all, but there's something so beautiful about this iconic transition season that is tragic to skip over.

Because what other day of the year is it socially acceptable, and in fact encouraged, to completely stuff your face. In a society that makes holidays all about Hallmark cards, candy, and presents, I can get behind an entire holiday centered around eating.

3. Extra break before Christmas.

That blissful, much needed week that is Thanksgiving break is situated before finals is exactly what everyone ever needs. Bring on the binge watching.

4. Spending time with family.

For me and I'm sure many of you as well, Thanksgiving serves as one of the only times out of the year when I get to see most of my extended family. And even though relatives can sometimes be judgmental and asking 500 questions about your future like, "What in the world are you going to do with an English degree?", it is still exciting and refreshing to have an entire day focused on family and fellowship.

I really don't want to come across as a grinch, although my roommate who I gave an interesting look to when I saw she had already put up the Christmas tree would beg to differ. But I love Christmas. It's my favorite holiday. It's just that skipping over a holiday, an entire month of living life, means skipping over a month of food, of friends, of reasons to be happy.