It's finally November. The spooks and laughs of Halloween have passed, and all that is left are the warm scents and cozy sweaters of fall. November is a highly under appreciated month, being surrounded by Halloween and Christmas, it often gets overlooked - but not today. This is a list of 5 things to look forward to this November.

5. Hot cocoa

I am a HUGE fan of hot cocoa, I drink it religiously around this season, making sure to include mini marshmallows in every cup. The warmth just envelops the soul, providing a sense of calm and relief compared to the frigid air.

4. Sweater weather

I'm excited about this one, because I love sweaters. They're comfortable, warm, and can be easily dressed up or dressed down depending on if you want comfort or if you want to look dressy on a particular day.

3. The smells

For as long as I can remember, every year in November, my mother begins to use an Apple Cinnamon scent; which signals the start of the glorious holiday season. It fills our house every year. For years it's been a staple of our love, enjoyment, and enthusiasm for the holiday season; it's not only an addition, it's a tradition.

2. The upcoming Christmas season

Now I know I mentioned earlier that November often gets overlooked due to the impending Christmas holiday, but, it is a huge part of what makes November one of my favorite months. People generally seem to be in a better, more positive mood; the kindness of holidays seems to lift people's spirits and encourage good works and societal positivity. It's the time of year where people get into the Christmas spirit, it's an entire month to get excited and "jolly" for the Christmas season approaching; and it's something that I find to be very interesting and necessary to the month of November.

1. Thanksgiving and family

November allows people sit back and truly think about what it is that they are grateful for, while providing people with the opportunity to see family and spend quality time with them. Families who live across the country (or even the globe) get to spend time with one another, they can talk and speak amongst themselves and reconnect with people who over the year communication and connections have been thin. We sit around a table, food in abundance before us, and are often left appreciative for what we have and where we are in our lives and in the world. Thanksgiving is a day where we give thanks for what we have and who are, surrounded by the people who contributed to the very aspect of us.