Every season comes with its own unique set of rituals. Spring brings forth flowers we look to as a sign of life and perseverance. A sense of rejuvenation washes over us. Summer requests our presence at the beach, where the hot sun warms us until we need the ocean or lake to cool us off. We spend hours there, devouring breezy paperbacks and watching kids construct castles of sand. When fall hits, we turn to orchards and hot apple cider, our tan skin now covered by wool sweaters and knit mittens.

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Then comes winter. And, to quote George R.R. Martin, “Winter is coming.” When we wake tomorrow it will be December 21, the first official day of the season, and though it’s felt like winter in many parts of the U.S. for a while, this day marks the beginning of predictability. The days going forward will almost always be cold. We are more likely to see snow than rain. We can safely store our sneakers and pull out our boots.

Winter brings with it many of its own rituals. Unsurprisingly, for a season of chilly temps, a good amount of these rituals revolve around seeking warmth. We light logs piled in the fireplace. We bake warm, hearty meals that are shared around a table lit by the soft glow of candlelight. We break out heavy blankets and packets of hot chocolate to warm our hands.