Many anticipate the arrival of December all year long for everything this beautiful month entails. December is filled with compassion, quality time with family, little surprises, and a brightness that makes everyone realize what is important in life. Many people do not enjoy the cool weather, but if you are anything like me, this is the time of year that you look forward to the most: warming up by a cozy fire, watching "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" two times a week, stacking marshmallows into your mug of hot chocolate, eating your favorite seasonal candies, and hearing Christmas music in every store you enter. This time of the year is a special time to show others you care. Families come together and show one another love and how they value each other. Here are few other things that make December different from any other month of the year.

1. Christmas activities

December's arrival only means the Christmas spirit is quickly approaching and is in the air, which means Christmas activities are a priority. Ice-skating, singing Christmas carols, daily Christmas movie marathons, drinking hot cocoa and hot apple cider by the fire, Christmas light shows, pulling out your ugliest Christmas sweater and rocking it, visiting Santa Clause and getting an annual picture with him in your local mall, and if you are lucky, you may get to purchase a ticket to Santa's North Pole in your area and visit him while also feeding his reindeer and other animals.

2. Getting in the spirit with decorating for the holidays

There is nothing like sitting beside the fireplace that is lit, and helping decorate the entire house to get into the spirit of Christmas. Blaring your Christmas music and decorating every inch of the house -- Christmas trees, flashing lights, stockings, wreaths, animated Santa Clause, sleighs, reindeer, gingerbread, and snowmen are placed in and around the house and so much more.

3. Christmas trees

You have to admit, it makes your heart jump for joy when you get to not only pick out the perfect tree but then decorate it beautifully in the center of your home so everyone who passes can see it standing and shining brightly through the window. Piling wrapped Christmas presents under the tree always makes you do a double take to check if your name is on it, creating an anticipation for what it is.

4. Lights are everywhere

Christmas wouldn't be the same without its beautiful light shows. It doesn't have to be spectacular and out of the norm, but when it is, oh, it is mesmerizing to the human eye to experience front and center.

5. Holiday sales and giving gifts

The holiday season is full of discounts and sales, which comes in handy when you have a list of gifts that need to be purchased for friends and family. Although it can be fun purchasing the gifts for that person, it isn't just about buying a gift for someone, but it is really about showing someone that you really care for them!

6. The contagious cheer is in the air

Spreading Christmas cheer during this season is not hard to do. Everyone seems to be in a cheerful mood: Smiles are given unexpectedly and others do things to show compassion and love. It's bound to bounce off of them and onto you!

7. Holiday baking

Is it just me, or do you want to actually bake during the Christmas season? Baking Christmas treats brings excitement as you are helping prepare while also socializing and enjoying the company of others.

8. People tend to feel more romantic

Admit it, the Christmas season makes people mushy and want to hug on their loved one a little bit tighter. There is just something about the holidays that make us weak in the knees.

9. Christmas-themed movies

Here it is -- December brings its specialized Christmas movies all month long and we're all a sucker for at least one or two.The whole month is dedicated to featuring original and beloved movies that bring back childhood memories like "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," "The Santa Clause," "How The Grinch Stole Christmas," "Home Alone," and "The Polar Express."

10. Cold weather and (possible) snow days

Christmas time is notorious for cooler weather during the month of December. As the temperature drops, we all "secretly" hope that snow will fall from the Heavens. Not only is it peaceful and beautiful but walking outside and feeling as if you are a part of a Hallmark card ... that's a breath of fresh air.

11. Holiday food seems almost endless and easy to find

Holidays bring forth many family get-togethers, which means you get to demolish grandma's homemade macaroni and cheese and aunt Vickie's cherry pie all in one sitting. It doesn't end there: Holiday desserts and assorted candies are everywhere you are during this time of the year. The temptation to buy your favorite holiday treats almost never fails to win. By January, you'll be as round as Santa Clause.

12. Christmas Eve jitters

Christmas Eve is here... and soon Santa will be, too. All of the fun activities that lead up to Christmas day are quickly coming to an end but your enthusiastic attitude cannot be tamed. You want everyone else to feel what you are feeling: utter joy. Don't act like you haven't danced with excitement like Carlton on Christmas Eve.

13. The Christmas aftermath

Waking up on Christmas morning is a ridiculously entertaining moment for many, as you watch others open the gifts you have purchased or opening presents you have received. The smiles and love that is displayed in the room make you stop and ponder on what love is -- Christmas symbolizes that.

14. The magic of Christmas

Christmastime will easily remind you of what is most important in life, and even through Christmas movies that are aimed towards younger audiences. It teaches them to believe in what you cannot see (Santa). Christmas will always be more than what it can seem at times -- it isn't about gifts or fancy lights, but how those implement excitement for an event that will occur. It sends an emotional drive of delight, joy, and anticipation to be compassionate and genuinely loving toward the ones you love -- and even to strangers.

15. The real meaning of Christmas

Christmas is a time for everyone to keep in mind; this is why we celebrate. It offers us a time to love on others with the kindness of our hearts by giving and receiving gifts. Meanwhile, it's all about Jesus and his birth. Christmastime instills in us a deeper meaning, in which we are reminded of why the Christmas spirit is so evident and beautiful in so many around us.

Oh, let us adore him.

Have a Merry Christmas!