Ah yes The Green Man is entering into the festive spirit with some snow on the main page. This is, of course, completely inappropriate, given that it was 35 degrees yesterday (that's Celcius, 95 Fahrenheit).

It does however typify the strict adherance to these inappropriate northern hemisphere Christmas traditions within Australian popular culture. We cling desparately to the snow theme when most of Australia never has snow, even in winter. Santa is dressed in a well ventilated costume to stop him collapsing of heat exhaustion whilst chocolate treats surreptitiously turn to liquid, escape their foil wrappings and congregate at the bottom of the shopping bag.

At this time of year Carols by Candlelight is an exercise in stamina for the younger members of the audience with the candles only becoming relavent after sunset at 8:43pm.

Still generally we are prepared to overlook the anachronisms and embrace the European ideal even if we have to turn the refrigeration unit on the air-conditioner to maximum.