Anyone from the south knows that we take our winters seriously. Sure, summer is a great time for a day at the lake or four wheeling down a dirt road (if only I was joking), and wearing shorts in November is great, but eventually we all get sick of breaking a sweat while walking to class. Fortunately, this six-month-long "summer" is finally coming to an end. Winter is arriving as a much-welcomed break from 80-degree weather, and a time to enjoy a few other perks that one can enjoy while spending the holidays in the south.
1. The weather is relatively mild.
I may be a little bit biased since I have lived in the south for my entire life. But after talking to friends from Chicago and New York City, I have a new appreciation for the winters that I took for granted during my childhood. Temperatures are usually above freezing, and when they drop below there is an air of excitement around everyone because of the possibility for snow.
2. Snowpocalypses
Down in the south, we like to make up our own words. The term "snowpocalypse," was coined by news anchors and over-active Facebook adults in the winter of 2014 to describe the chaos that ensued after a few inches of snow struck the Atlanta freeways, forcing the governor to issue a state of emergency. Although being stuck in a massive traffic jam is fun for no one, the aftermath can be surprisingly enjoyable. Classes are cancelled and most businesses close for the day, leaving everyone with unexpected free time to spend with family or playing in the snow.
3. Decorations
In the south, we do everything bigger and better, and the holiday season is no exception. Nothing will put you in the holiday spirit more than seeing the houses decked out with inflatable Santas and street posts wrapped in string lights. Even the creepy oversized elf statues that you'll see on the side of the highway are enough to evoke a little bit of holiday cheer.
4. Traditions
Whether it's a neighborhood Christmas party or your town's annual parade, you can always expect there to be festivities going on. Southerners are known for being more traditional, and around the holiday season this trait establishes a sense of unity within a community. Even if you're not originally from the south, it will really start to feel like home during the winter months.
5. Fried chicken and mashed potatoes
These foods are southern staples, but kind of gross to eat during the hotter seasons when its eighty degrees outside. In the winter, you can finally enjoy all of the warm home cooking that your heart desires. And here in the south, no one will judge you for ingesting 5,000 calories in one meal.
