Leader: No white Christmas, but who’s complaining

FINANCIALLY stretched households, fretting retailers in the high street, storm clouds on the horizon – and no white Christmas anywhere in the UK, according to the forecasters last night.

Not even the Scottish peaks will see snowfall tomorrow.

All this is in marked contrast to this time last year when we were battling with record amounts of snow and sleet. A white Christmas is all very well when depicted in Christmas cards. But its physical arrival brings problems that confound the romantic vision of sledges, snowballs, bouncing robins and snowmen with woolly hats and carrots for noses. Indeed, the absence of a white Christmas will be warmly welcomed by millions of families who will take to the roads over the holiday period to meet with friends and relations.

Indeed, while rain is likely across much of Scotland, temperatures are set to be mild, both for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Retailers will be hoping desperately that this mild weather brings in more customers next week than disconsolate dads wanting to change those cheesy reindeer socks. This year could well see a bumper sales turn-out for millions anxious to make the most of any bargains on offer. A very happy Christmas to all our readers. We will, of course, be back as normal on Monday morning.