It's time to say "peace out" to Halloween and make way for the real holidays: Thanksgiving and, most importantly, Christmas. Why are these holidays far better than Halloween? Let me tell you some reasons to get excited and start the countdown to Thanksgiving, winter break, and Christmas. The most wonderful time of the year is just around the corner.

1. Home-cooked meals

This might be the number one reason why Thanksgiving and Christmas are the best times of the year. With back-to-back holidays, home-cooked meals are everywhere. College kids crave this stuff every day of the year, and the holiday season is when we get to indulge in all of the goodness. Plus, who doesn't love good old comfort food during the chilly late fall and early winter days?

2. No class

Okay, maybe this is the number one reason to love the holidays. There's a short break for thanksgiving and a giant break for winter and Christmas. You can finally put down the books and de-stress for a bit. Yet another reason this is truly the most wonderful time of the year.

3. Family

This is hopefully another reason to love the holidays. Yes, your family can annoy you at times, but it's nice to catch up at least once a year and give each other some love. After all, family is family. Enjoy the time you have with yours this Thanksgiving and Christmas.

4. Friends from home

This is something else that I'm hoping you love about the holidays. This time of year you get to go home and see your old friends because most of them are back in town too. It's a great time to catch up, hang out like old times, do some crazy things, and maybe even share some good gossip just like your high school days.

5. Shopping

YAS! Even though malls and stores are crazy busy around the holidays, it's still super fun to shop. It's a season of making people happy through gift giving (and gift receiving if you want to be real about it). There are so many sales and holiday goodies, it's almost impossible not to enjoy hitting the stores at least once or twice this time of year. Plus, you get to see the crazy shoppers come out during Black Friday, which is a show in itself.

6. Snow

The holiday season is the only time of the year when it is okay to have a blanket of snow on the ground. Once the holidays have passed, the snow can leave. Let's face it, would it really be winter break without some nice, fluffy, white snow on the ground? No, no it would not.

7. Nicer people

People always seem to be a bit nicer and a bit more generous during the holidays. My only advice to you: Just don't be a scrooge this holiday season.

8. Lights everywhere

I mean seriously, who doesn't love Christmas lights? They literally light up the world, and it's amazing. I sure hope I'm not the only one who purposely drives through neighborhoods just to look at cool Christmas light displays.

9. The music

Okay, early November might be a bit too soon for Christmas music, since it gets stuck in your head so easily, but a little Jingle Bells never hurt nobody. Christmas music is full of joy and holiday spirit and makes you want to sing and dance along. You can't get angry listening to Christmas music around the holidays...unless you're a Grinch.

10. Decorations

Besides the lights, there are loads and loads of other Christmas decorations everywhere. It definitely makes the city seem a little more homey and the malls seem a little more spirited. However, to all of the stores that already have Christmas decorations for sale: you should be ashamed of yourselves! It's not even November yet!

11. Peppermint everything

All peppermint, all day! Peppermint hot cocoa, the infamous Starbucks peppermint mocha, and peppermint flavored treats all come out close to the holidays. That's one sure way to get people in the holiday spirit!

12. Food!

I know I mentioned this one already, but it just needs to be emphasized again. Food is definitely the best thing about the holidays!