10 Things About Phoenix in December

1. You see more joggers, bicyclists and walkers outside than perhaps any other time of year.
2. The ice cream truck is still making the neighborhood rounds (really!).
3. Your choice of fresh Christmas trees is the Home Depot or one of two local lots.
4. The before-school argument with your kids isn’t about wearing a jacket and mittens, but wearing pants instead of shorts.
5. It’s a good idea to put on sunscreen when you spend the afternoon putting up your outdoor Christmas lights.
6. You get to look forward to new ventures, like taking the kids on an overnight trip on the Polar Express train in Williams (which we're doing Monday night). You hope and pray for snow because it's been so long since you've seen any.
   
7. You see a mannequin at the Gap wearing a tank top and a scarf and knit hat – and you have to admit it looks pretty cute.
8. You get warm doing your Christmas shopping and are forced to shed the sweatshirt you might have needed at 7 a.m.
9. It’s a wasted effort to put your kids’ summer clothes away because you know they’ll be wearing them in March … if not before … or if they’re not still wearing them.
10. During his breaks at the mall, some have been known to find Santa relaxing outside after slipping into his after-hours vacation clothes (and enjoying a refreshing beverage).