For those of us who love the fall, where everything is crisp and cozy, the winter months are not usually something we look forward to. The dropping temperatures and crazy weather changes make for days that are too short and nights that are too cold to really do much. Winter does have its perks, though.

1. Bundling up in warm layers.

The weather gets much colder, but that just means you can layer with scarves and sweaters to be even warmer!

2. Snow days.

While they're way more fun to have as a little kid, snow days are still great. Sleeping in and just taking a day off to relax and admire the snow is always a nice break.

3. The holiday decorations.

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or nothing at all, the lights and decorations are still fun to look at.

4. Family time.

Winter means holidays, and holidays mean spending time with your family and friends. It's always nice to see everyone and catch up on their lives.

5. Lots and lots of food and treats.

Once again, the winter months hold a lot of holidays, which means there is a wide variety of tasty treats to try!

6. Sitting by the fire.

On those cold winter nights, it always feels great to just sit by the warmth of a fire and watch a movie or read a book.

7. The traditions.

Whether in the town where you live, or at home with your family, winter is a season full of traditions. In Tulsa, where I'm from, we have an ice skating rink that's set up every year, as well as several lighting ceremonies and holiday markets.

8. Winter beverages.

Hot chocolate, egg nog, and peppermint mocha's are just a few of the best drinks winter has to offer.

9. New movies.

So many new movies come out in the winter months that you won't ever run out of things to go see.

10. The first snow.

Lorelei from Gilmore Girls said it best when she said "Everything's magical when it snows, everything looks pretty."

11. The knowledge that soon spring will come and it won't be so cold for much longer.

Soon enough the trees will get their leaves back, the snow will melt, the air will smell sweeter, and the magic of winter will be replaced with the hopefulness of spring.