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White Christmas Will Indeed Only Be A Dream This Year

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It is officially winter now, but in the meadow we can't build a snowman, and we'd be stuck dashing through the rain in a one-horse open sleigh.

As CBS2's Vanessa Murdock reported, the warm weather just two days ahead of Christmas has had people doing things differently. They've been wearing sandals and shorts as part of their winter wardrobe.

Indeed, this December is one for the record books – and by a large margin. The warmest December on record before this year was in 2001, where the temperature averaged 44 degrees, but this month, it is over 50.

"It's actually kind of weird," said Maria Lupianez of Bayonne, New Jersey. "I feel like it's not Christmas."

No, to paraphrase the 1951 classic penned by Meredith Willson and sung famously by Perry Como, it's not beginning to a look a lot like Christmas. It's not looking particularly like Christmas – anywhere you go.

Many who spoke to CBS2 said the springlike warmth isn't festive.

"Well, not Christmas shopping, for sure," said Cary Hooper of Hell's Kitchen.

Even Christmas tree sales seem to have been slow.

"I don't know if the weather has affected it or not, but it's been pretty slow," said Shalyn McClintock of Mr. Lumberjack.

But it seems ice cream is the hot ticket on wish lists.

"It's crazy," said James Healey, owner of the Ben & Jerry's franchise in Times Square. "This warm weather is, you know, a dream come true."

Healey owns two Ben & Jerry's locations, and said business is up 26 percent over last December. He has bumped up supplies and staffing.

"Typically in the winter, we cut hours back, but this winter, we've had a lot of employees very happy that they're getting a lot more hours," Healey said.

Tomas Hidalgo said he would normally be in Florida at this time of year, but the bicycle business is booming too.

"Because of the weather I stay, because we're making better money than last year," said Hidalgo, owner of Liberty Bicycles.

Dave Werner, golf superintendent of Overpeck Golf Course, has also been kept busier than usual.

He said he has to mow "about every other day. Typically this time of year, we just don't have to mow at all."

Werner said it has been a blockbuster month. For Christmas Eve on Friday, the course was already fully booked – likely because record warmth is expected.

"It's been great; it's been awesome weather. I love it," said Sid Advani of Ridgewood, New Jersey, who said he has played golf several times this month.

"Generally, I have my snowpants," added golfer Deepak Rana of Ridgewood, New Jersey.

But while snow may be annoying after a long winter in February or March, some people would rather see it in late December.

"I'm just kind of sad that there won't be snow," said Terron Moore of the Upper West Side.

The forecast calls for temperatures over 70 on Christmas Eve.

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