# It's almost Christmas but it's weird, it hasn't really felt like it because the weather has turned so mild. It doesn't even feel like winter.
But getting all the presents wrapped and smelling the Christmas cake cooking yesterday started to get things back on track and our family Christmas Eve traditions will kick in later.
It's funny sometimes how our emotions and feelings are guided by our preconceptions and expectations.
I can't remember the last time I saw a white Christmas. Yet, even though the chances of getting one where I live are always slim, we still associate snow with Christmas.
We've been programmed by media and marketing to adhere to this romanticised vision of the holidays even if we know we aren't going to get it. Yes, it usually gets cold but that's about as far as it goes.
It's like comparing our lives to those we follow on social networks - believing that the stories they tell are truth when they are, in fact, carefully curated impressions.
But we don't mind, we play along with this perfect vision of Christmas because it's the one time of year we feel it could actually come true.
@colinwalker Just checked the Bible: Nothing about snow when Jesus was born :)
@kulturnation ? Exactly! Programmed!
@colinwalker Wow, that’s late to make the cake. Unless it’s not a trad fruit cake.
@devilgate My wife had been soaking the fruit in booze for weeks so it was just a case of mixing & cooking. Personally, I don't like fruit cake but I’m told they're very nice ?
Merry Christmas, Colin! No chance of snow here (New Zealand); it's the middle of summer!
I like 'em--especially when they're soaked like that for weeks!