A soft snow fluttered down in big flakes outside the large living room window the coloured LED lights hung in a way so that the tips of the bulbs cast a soft glow on the window painting it in green, red and blue as Colin looked out into the street his face pressed against the cold window, small spots of fog forming every few seconds, obscuring his vision as he breathes out through his mouth. His hands get cold as he presses against the windowpane, the street lamp across his house lighting a cone of white light on the pavement as snow floats down. The light flickers slightly every once in a while. Colin’s eyes dart upward and on rooftops to scan the sky as he tries to find a glimpse of a red sleigh or reindeer. “Colin.” His sister calls softly as she stands beside him. “Santa isn’t here yet, would you want to help set up the cookies and carrots for Santa?” He nods enthusiastically and holds out his hand as his sister hands him a carrot and grabs his hand leading him to the table. His sister holds a plate of lemon cookies in her hand, the tops decorated with icing in pastel pinks, blues, yellows, and greens as she balances the plate carefully so it doesn't fall. She sets the cookie plate on the table next to a glass of eggnog and then picks Colin up resting him on her hip as she leans him over the plate. “Colin, don't forget the carrot for the reindeer.” She tells him and he drops it on the plate with a soft clank, small ripples forming in the eggnog from the force of the drop as it rolls off the plate and into the dark wooden table. His mother's hand places it back on the plate gently, her long nails painted red with a small snowman on the ring finger. “Wonderful, you two, I’m sure he’ll appreciate it.” His mother says as Colin’s sister puts him down. Four candles flicker on the table, a warm glow casting on the wood as the three purple and one pink candles shine like a halo of yellow light.