It has finally reached the time of year where it is acceptable to say Christmas is right around the corner and begin spreading holiday cheer everywhere you go. With only one week until finals, there is so much to look forward to with the longest break of the academic year besides summer vacation. The holiday season truly is the most wonderful time of the year and here are my top seven reasons why.

1. Family

Throughout the year, no break ever seems long enough. Christmas break offers two or three weeks to really spend time with your loved ones. It's a chance to catch up on the events of the past year and see extended family who are only around during the holiday season.

2. Christmas Movies

Some of the best movies of all time revolve around the holiday season. The classics truly never get old. Gather around for Elf, Home Alone 2, or National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation for a holiday movie night!

3. Peppermint Everything

From Starbucks to Chick-fil-A, restaurants are adapting their menus this holiday season to accommodate our society's love of peppermint flavored items. Be sure to try one before it's too late!

4. Christmas Music

It is the chance to sing at the top of your lungs with your parents, siblings and friends the songs you've known and loved since you were a child. From All I Want For Christmas Is You to Mistletoe, the options are endless!

5. Christmas Cookies

Find a friend and bake the best sugar cookies with decorative icing to help get you in the spirit. Another fun activity is decorating a gingerbread house.

6. Season of Giving

There are few feelings that beat the satisfaction of giving a personal and heart felt gift to someone you care about. From white elephant exchanges to secret Santa, there are so many opportunities to connect with people and celebrate the holidays.

7. No Stress

With the semester coming to a close with finals, Christmas break is stress free academically. There is always the stress of arriving back to new classes next semester, but for the most part, Christmas break is a time to relax and renew while completing no homework assignments.

Overall, the holidays do bring a lot of chaos and deadlines, but there is also so much excitement in the air. From seeing family for the first time in a year to baking cookies while listening to Christmas music, no one can deny the happiness of the holidays. I hope these ideas inspired you to begin celebrating! Christmas will be here before we know it. The countdown is officially on and we are less than a month away!