Aussie here, to me xmas = summer time. Xmas movies always felt irrelevant, and the idea of Santa wearing all his gear is mental when it’s often 40C+ and humid af.
Being cold would feel alien that time of year, even more so if it snowed because that doesn’t happen in 99% of the country regardless of the time of year.
I suspect we’re not taking about actual storytelling here as much as anecdotes that signal whether you will or will not agree with the rest of what’s about to be said, but to answer the question as asked, imho good storytelling depends as much on the listener as the teller.
Some find joy to be infectious, they’ll enjoy a story because the teller’s eyes light up, and watching someone loving the shit out of something is itself a joyful experience.
Some will only enjoy a story if it’s of direct positive relevance to them, regardless of who’s telling it.
I’ve not tried them but you can get replacement pads which apparently have a cooling gel in them. Eg these.
No idea if they’re any good but would be interested in hearing from someone with first-hand experience.