We all dream of a white Christmas, flinging the curtains open to a blanket of fresh snow covering the landscape (not grey skies and drizzle, thank you Santa). But the last widespread white Christmas in the UK was back in 2010.
The Met Office can only predict the likelihood of a white Christmas with any certainty five days before. It does, however, have tons of fascinating white Christmas facts, including the rather disappointing news that their definition of “a white Christmas is for one snowflake to be observed falling in the 24 hours of 25 December somewhere in the UK”. And as we all know, that really doesn’t satisfy our white Christmas expectations.
The better news is a full La Niña weather event is predicted from late November to mid December and the last time the UK was hit by La Niña in 2010, many of us woke to snow on Christmas Day.
So, if our white Christmas wish comes true, there’s not a moment to waste. Here’s how to have the best snow time ever.
Sledging. Wrap up warm and head to the nearest high hill to join the hordes sliding down and tramping back up again. If you’re organised, you’ll have some sledges gathering dust in an under stairs cupboard or attic. (Top tip: the bum-shaped ones take up less space and go seriously fast.) But we Brits are ingenious at using anything flat (trays, bin lids, rubble bags) to hurtle down a hill.
Making snow people. Race to get onto that blank canvas of snow so you can start rolling and rolling it into a huge ball. Depending on ambitions, you can add another for a torso and top with a snowball head. Decorate with carrots, sticks, stones and anything mum doesn’t mind you having.
Making snow angels. Simple. Lie on the snow and flap your arms, then stand up and admire your angels. If you’ve got enough space, you can make a chain of angels (like paper cut outs).
Writing messages on snowy surfaces. We’re thinking ‘I love you’ and such like, rather than rude ones.
Throwing snowballs. And no shoving them down the backs of coats.
Making a snow fort. Techniques vary between mounds of snow heaped up to balls fixed together. A little like sandcastles, the joy is in the making. Once finished, your snow den can be a great place to launch a snowball attack and duck for cover.
Clearing elderly neighbour’s paths and running errands. Stock up on salt for spreading on slippery surfaces and have spades at the ready for an energetic good deed. Why not invite neighbours over for a post-snow party?
And back home for... hot chocolate topped with marshmallows, a gooey mince pie or slice of chocolate yule log. Strip off all your soggy things, get into cosy pyjamas and settle down to play a favourite board game or watch a Christmas film.
Cadbury is making Christmas wishes come true and bringing festive joy to children, families and local communities. Head to Cadvent.co.uk to see generous gifts brought to life and the true spirit of Christmas captured.
One lucky family wakes to snowy surroundings after a convoy of Cadbury trucks delivers overnight snow to their street, giving all the residents a super snowy surprise.