Hot Apple Cider
Hot Chocolate
Pumpkin Spice Latte
Cinnamon Tea
Hazelnut Cafe Mocha
Vanilla Cafe Latte
Caramel Macchiato
Chai Latte
London Fog Tea Latte
Endnote: hot apple cider is superior to pumpkin spice latte, and don't try to change my mind.
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Janine Fairchild
Warm drinks
Thawing your hands out by holding hot chocolate, coffee, or tea in your favorite mug is one of the most comforting experiences.
Snowflakes
One of the most beautiful things in the world to watch is falling snow.
Total instagrammable pictures
During the cold and snowy season, pretty much any picture you take is going to be #iconic.
No school!
Even though colleges barely ever cancel, the excitement that you may not have to get out of your PJs is exhilarating. And you can do fun experiments.
Snow-covered landscapes
Trees are absolutely gorgeous when they're covered with snow.
Warm fireplaces
There's nothing quite like the smell of a wood-burning fireplace.
Snow-only activities
Who ever heard of sand-boarding? For those of us who can stand the cold, snow activities are the best! From skiing to snowboarding to sledding to ice skating and even building a snowman, the fun never ends.
Not as many disgusting pests
The only things I really worry about are mice and flies. Living in a warmer climate would mean dealing with alligators in my backyard or snakes in my toilet. I'd much rather have to drive in some snow a few times a year than deal with creepy crawlies all the time.
Extra layers
I love being cozy, and the cold temps just give me an excuse to wear my blanket scarf.
Decreased crime rates
Crime and temperatures seem to be correlated - as temps drop, so does the crime rate. Probably because it's way too cold, and nobody wants to be outside!
More cuddling
The cold weather just gives us all an excuse to get closer together and warm up. Netflix and cuddles, here we come!
All four seasons
This is my favorite of them all. I don't know what I'd do if I lived in a place without seasonal changes. It's been a part of my life for over 20 years now, and I would definitely miss the snow if I didn't get to live in it at least once a year.
You may not agree with me on all of these, and that's okay! I can also see the perks of living in a warmer climate, but the colder climates get such a bad rap! This is just my part in spreading awareness that it's really not all that bad living in a place where we get to see beautiful snowy landscapes and go ice skating outside in December.
Next time it snows (since we all know it's coming again eventually), try to resist the negativity and think about all of the unique and enjoyable parts of the cold weather.
1. Hot chocolate
You probably remember drinking hot chocolate at least once during your childhood. Hot chocolate is one of the classic hot beverages to have during the winter! It not only tastes amazing, but it can come in many different flavors and forms making it easily one of the best winter beverages!
2. Double chocolate chip frappuccino
If you've never had a double chocolate chip frappuccino before at Starbucks, then you need to get one! The great part about some of the frappuccinos at Starbucks is that they are not all filled with coffee or caffeine. Though it has a lot of calories and sugar, it's a nice treat to have once in a great while. It's definitely a must-have if you are wanting a beverage that isn't coffee.
3. Black tea with lemon
Tea is a great beverage to have since it contains the same amount caffeine as coffee, and it gives you just as much energy! Even if you don't normally like tea, there are plenty of different types that are amazing to have during the winter! My top favorite is black tea with lemon since it tastes very similar to coffee. The lemon gives it a good flavor. It's also a great beverage to drink when you are coming down with a cold.
4. Hot caramel apple cider
Just like hot chocolate, apple cider is another great hot beverage to have during the winter! Not only does it taste amazing, but it also warms you up better than drinking coffee would. And when you add caramel flavoring to it, it suddenly tastes better than any type of coffee beverage that you've probably had before. It's the perfect combination! In addition, it's easy to make and doesn't have any caffeine.
5. Cranberry apple cider
If you're looking for something that's different from plain old apple cider, you should try combining it with cranberry. It actually gives it a very unique flavor! Cranberry and apple go really well together, which is why combining them in cider is the ideal combination for a beverage!
6. Peppermint herbal tea
Herbal tea can come in a lot of different flavors, but the best is definitely peppermint! It gives the tea a great flavor and makes it a perfect beverage to have during the cold winter months. In addition, you can also use cream and peppermint together, which will give it even more flavor.
7. Herbal tea with honey
Another great beverage to have is herbal tea and honey. Putting honey in tea gives it a sweet flavor and is a good alternative for putting sugar in tea. And not only does it taste great, but it also is great to combat colds, especially if you lose your voice. Drinking this helped me when I lost my voice once from a cold, and it saved me from having to go to class with no voice. It's a great way to also to get yourself to like tea if you don't particularly enjoy drinking it.
8. Raspberry lemonade
Though raspberry lemonade isn't a hot drink, it's still a great beverage to have that doesn't contain any coffee or caffeine. Even during the winter, it's great whenever you're looking for something to drink that's different from coffee or plain lemonade. Even though I normally don't like raspberry, mixing it with lemonade is actually a great combination! It's not too sweet and very refreshing.
If you still think coffee is the best beverage, you should check out these options! Coffee can sometimes become repetitive if you drink it every morning. It may be great, but it's not the only beverage out there. There are so many other amazing beverages to try that you normally may not notice because you're drinking coffee. So before you make another trip to Starbucks to get coffee, consider trying something new.
1. Everyone has the wrong type of clothes
Students either haven't gone home or had their winter clothes sent to school yet, so they have to deal with what they have. Even though it was 35ºF today, I still saw some people rocking some shorts. Hopefully, everyone can get their warm clothes soon, because it only seems to be getting colder.
2. No one sweats walking up Bascom Hill anymore
At the start of the school year, it's so hot that walking up Bascom makes you break a sweat even in shorts. Now that it's getting super cold, you bundle up in lots of layers so you don't freeze on your walk to class.
3. No more iced coffee
Everyone stops at Starbucks or Caribou to get a warm drink to warm them up. The days of iced coffee are over until summer unless you want your hands to freeze off. Hot Chocolate here I come!
4. No more cheerleader skirts and red and white overalls
The days of wearing warm game day outfits are over. Trade your red and white skirts, shorts and tanks for hockey jerseys, sweatshirts, and Bucky leggings. You might even need to grab your parka before walking into Camp Randall to watch the game for a few hours.
5. The Terrace is vacant
In the summer the Union is so packed you can almost never find an open seat as everyone wants to bask in the sun. Now that its cold out, no one sits outside, even to enjoy the view. The chairs will sadly be empty for the next few months.
6. People wear tons of layers to class
In order to stay warm its that time to bundle up when walking to class. Hats, gloves, mittens, fuzzy socks, long sleeves, sweatshirts and jackets. Everyone looks like the Michelin Man walking to class, but who cares because your warm and toasty.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Disneyland_at_Halloween_(24469992830).jpg
Cold weather, you old friend
My personal favorite time of the year is when it gets cold out and I have the constant urge to snuggle up with my significant other. Even if you don't have a significant other, I hope you can relate to cuddling up in that special blanket prepping for a Netflix binge-watching session. I know I've been there regardless of my relationship status. I also am passionate about my need for warm drinks to warm me up. The smooth convenience store French Vanilla Cappuccino holds a special place in my heart. Oh, cheap hot drink, you get me every time.
Big. Dinners. For. WEEKS.
The decadence of a nice holiday season meal with leftovers for weeks is I think my favorite part of the whole season. Ham or turkey, no matter the meat, simple leftover meat for lunchtime sandwiches with something other than deli meat is always a favorite of mine. Of course, I am a little on the larger side of things and come from a slightly southern family, so good eats is always an option. On a diet? Good luck bud.
Positivity, put on that big smile!
The thought of how my relatives always get together, no matter our problems throughout the year, to spend time with one another and enjoy each other's company is almost a family tradition. I have always been one to hate the fake smiles from family I'm not that close with, but I am not one for conflict by any means. I'm one to be genuinely sweet to others, regardless of the situation, especially during the holidays and with family. A family doesn't give up on other family members. I feel my place during the holidays is to be positive all around. In work, in school, and in my personal life. I am non-religious, so I don't believe it's my duty, but I believe it is important to within my own morals. It's the season for giving, is it not?
Is it worth more money than the happiness it truly gives?
Holidays can be stressful no matter the amount or closeness of family. I think one reason that almost anyone can relate to is the financial burden, and what those next few months will look when you start racking up bills, interest-free or not. I think a lot of it is the effort put in by others. No matter the monetary value, I appreciate any amount of effort you put into gifts for me. I'm a sucker for construction paper cards and homemade crafts. I know, how masculine of me, but the thought and creativity put into something special are so sweet to me. The time it takes to think of something and then handmake it will always outrank the hours spent standing in a line on the craziest shopping day of the year.
Don't forget!!!
To those who have struggled to try to make others pleased with holiday festivities, don't overthink it. No matter the gift, the holiday dinner menu, or the amount of time you can give to others, the most important is your care for them. This time isn't about money, although in times like this it may seem like it, giving anything to others is a general idea. Give your time to them; watch a funny movie to even the turmoil, make them their favorite specialty drink or treat to let them know you thought about them, or even send a card if you're far off. It's not what you have, but what you can offer. It's the effort. Don't let others think you've forgotten about them. Spread the love, no matter the recent or old events. As too many have said, it's the thought that counts.
