As seasons go, fall and winter are the best; with cooler weather, amazing food and an abundance of holidays. These few months are filled with joy, family and celebration. However, there is an existing rivalry between those that believe fall holidays, such as Halloween and Thanksgiving are the greatest and those who love the lighthearted spirit of winter holidays, such as Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s. Due to the presence of savory food, extended family, fun decorations and a spirit of selflessness, winter holidays are unparalleled.

It is arguable that both the fall and winter holidays include feasts with delicious entrees and desserts. However, food during the winter holidays tends to be far more savory and abundant. The traditional Christmas Day feast is extensive, with multiple family members making various dishes such as roast ham, stuffing, sausage and kolaches. Additionally, Jewish families prepare traditional meals that include food such as potato latkes and brisket. The food during this time not only includes sweets, namely during Halloween, but also includes traditional savory meat and vegetable dishes.

Secondly, there is a spirit of selflessness during the winter months that prompts others to give back to their communities and serve others who are less fortunate. A Christmas time tradition amongst many families is to serve at a soup kitchen or to donate food to those in need. Even those who do not serve in this way still gather with extended relatives and friends and celebrate the gift that is family. During New Year’s, many friends come together and kick off a new year with those they care about most by their side. Regardless of the holiday that is being celebrated, many people prefer to celebrate with family and friends close by.

Finally, all of the winter holidays are filled with an endless spirit of joy and celebration. Every winter holiday has a deeper meaning that is either religious or cultural; Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus, Hanukkah is an eight day celebration that commemorates the rededication of the Jewish temple and Kwanzaa is a celebration of African culture. Holidays such as New Year’s are celebrated in multiple countries, such as Korea and China. The decorations and music during this time are very festive and cheerful. Hanukkah menorahs and Christmas lights bring a festive ambiance to the season. Additionally, a common theme of winter holidays is gift giving, which brings joy to everyone, especially young children.

The winter holidays are among the best for a variety of reasons, but most of all the familial gatherings, abundance of fun decorations and the spirit of selflessness and charity render Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s supreme.