Brace yourselves! As it did last year, Winter Bash is coming. From 16 December 2013 to 3 January 2014, the Stack Exchange network sites are once again enhancing their already overwhelming charisma with the cunning use of really slick hats.

Here’s a quick rundown of how the event works:

• During the event period, users can earn hats for their avatar by completing tasks on the site, similar to the regular badge system
• Users can earn multiple hats and choose which one to “wear”; this hat will appear with their avatar wherever their avatar is displayed on the site
• Sites can opt out of the event, meaning no hats can be earned or displayed on their site
• Individual users can opt out of the event, meaning they will not earn or see any hats anywhere on the Stack Exchange network

Winter Bash is a fun and temporary way for the network to have a little fun during the holiday season. In some cases, however, it can interfere with the intended professional or academic tone of a site. That’s why we ask each site to choose whether or not they want to participate.

So, noble cohorts: should Italian participate in this year's Winter Bash? Let me know what you think below. Thanks!

Update 11/25/13: Hats it is!

Having heard much assent and no dissent, I've opted Italian in to Winter Bash 2013. Stay tuned!