As cold winds rise and the year draws to a close, people honor the season with meaningful rites and customs. It’s a time to greet winter with rewards and leisure, and celebrate the new year with heartfelt wishes. It’s a time to nourish the body with warming foods on cold days: dumplings fill the air with fragrance, paired with vinegar and garlic. And for the brave, it is a time to face the cold with joy, embracing winter's challenge in a spirited swim.