Look around your neighborhoods — the holiday spirit is alive and well.

Twinkling, and even laser, lights, as well as animated holiday characters and giant blow-up figures can be seen outside homes and businesses this time of the year, fostering a creative and often competitive spirit among homeowners and businesses.

Decoration contest winners in area communities either have or will shortly be selected as the holiday season hits high gear with Christmas Eve arriving on Wednesday.

We pause for just a moment to offer congratulations to the winners and say thanks to all who have invested their time, money and talents to bring a simple message of Christmas cheer to all who pass by.

There is something about a string of Christmas lights and decorations on a home that makes every dwelling warm, welcoming and festive.

The holiday decorations that can be seen around the area are annual examples of community pride.

If you’re so inclined to drive around and view the displays that can be found in every neighborhood, think about that as you do so. Decorations for the holidays are as much about that as they are about competition or self-expression. And, they ensure that our neighborhoods, our cities and our towns all look wonderful during this time of year.

That’s a kind of community spirit that should live on well beyond the holidays. If we can make our towns into beautiful, inviting places in every respect during the holidays, we can do so when the weather is warm and people are out and about.