Arguably, winter is one of the worst seasons. Freezing temperatures, being snowed in all the time, grey skies. Christmas is a light during the long winter season. I don't celebrate Christmas, yet I can't deny that Christmas magic is contagious.

The lights are my favorite as they transform my neighborhood into a sparkling dreamy world. In the winter months in Syracuse and in New Jersey (where I'm from), the sun sets practically in the middle of the day which is so depressing. However, when the lights turn on, everything transforms into a magical experience. I am no longer stuck in the dry, uncomfortable, bitter ten-degree weather, I am transported to a winter wonderland.

No, I don't receive gifts from Santa, but I do reap the benefits of great Christmas deals. Randomly, this is a really great time to buy makeup. Lots of brands create special bundles for the holiday season and they are a great bang for your buck. After Christmas is also a great time for deeply discounted shopping. Nothing makes a season more magical than when shopping is involved.

I hate when someone says, "Rachel, why are you listening to Christmas music?" Great music does not discriminate. Ariana Grande's "Last Christmas", Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You", Justin Bieber's "Mistletoe", are all iconic. These songs are borderline masterpieces. They should stand along the lines next to Bach and Beethoven. Okay, maybe I'm slightly exaggerating, but Christmas music is one of the most festive parts offerings of the holiday season.

Christmas means the emergence of all the holiday foods. Peppermint bark: amazing. Hot chocolate: delicious. Gingerbread cookies: scrumptious. Candy canes: addicting. Even though I'm Jewish, I can still enjoy all the Christmas delicacies.

I love the holiday season for all the reasons I noted, however above all, I adore Christmas time because everyone is undeniably happy. There are so much sadness and anger in the world that it's hard to tune it out. During the holiday season, all of that seems to disappear. There seems to be an unspoken rule for all people that you can't be sad when the Christmas tree goes up.