Why You Should Definitely Not Be Dreading Winter In North Carolina

A few days ago I wrote about the common thoughts everyone has when winter is approaching. These can range from excitement over holidays to depression over short, dark, icy cold days. Lets be honest, winter is not the best season, but you should definitely not be dreading it in a state like North Carolina. Wondering why?

1. Festival of lights

From 'Christmas town USA' Mcadenville, or right off the coast, you're sure to see a beautiful array of lights that will put you in the holiday spirit!

2. Unlimited hot cocoa!

What goes great with a cold, grey, winter day? A cup of hot cocoa to warm you up.

3. Snow days!

North Carolina takes their snow days seriously, meaning, you might get out of work anywhere from a day to a week. Everyone needs the mental break.

4. Snow on the mountains.

The Blue Ridge Mountains become especially beautiful in the winter. With snow capped branches, frozen ice formations, and even frozen waterfalls, the mountains in winter become a whole new world.

5. And that means ski/snowboarding season.

Sure, we're no Colorado, but after a fresh snow conditions can be pretty awesome.

6. We can still have a beach day.

Sure, you might not be able to splash and play in the water, but the beach is gorgeous and totally serene in the winter. Plus, the price of rentals goes way down!

7. Basketball season is in full swing.

Our favorite sport is back!

8. Abundant dark craft beers.

Around this time, all the local NC breweries start unveiling new as well as tried and true favorite 'dark brews' to wrap us in a warm beer blanket through the winter.

9. Comfort food is OK

In the summer you might have gravitated more to that salad than a piece of fried chicken (also, it can feel a bit gross to eat a heavy meal when it's 90 degrees outside) but winter is all about the comfort food favorites, slow cooker meals, and hearty warm dishes! Personally, my favorite.

10. Laziness is OK

'It's freezing outside' is the perfect excuse to spend a Saturday in your jammies near a roaring fire.

11. The holidays are awesome!

We all love the holidays because they revolve around our favorite things: togetherness, festivities, giving and receiving, being merry, seeing the ones we love, and giving thanks.

12. Because no matter what season, North Carolina is always the best!

Sure, winter is cold and dark but I wouldn't want to spend it anywhere else than North Carolina. Ok, maybe an exotic island paradise, but still, North Carolina isn't so bad :)

And really, just like how quickly fall has ended, I'm sure we'll find ourselves waking up in March wondering where the last few months went. Time really does fly and the seasons really do 'turn turn turn.'

What would you add to the list? How do you get through winter in North Carolina?