Well, Halloween is (mostly) over, with some of our communities still scheduling their trick-or-treating this weekend.

Now, we turn toward the holiday season that is Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule, the Winter Solstice, Christmas, and New Year’s, among many others around the world.

There was some criticism a couple of weeks back when crews from the City of Weirton began the process of putting up the community Christmas trees in the city’s north end and in front of the Millsop Community Center.

Consider, though, they have limited manpower to put up the trees, as well as the light displays maintained by the Weirton Area Chamber of Commerce, and various other decorations to help make the season merry and bright, and a tight schedule in which to do it.

While we have our eyes primarily on Dec. 25, many of our communities will begin their festivities in only a couple of weeks, so don’t be surprised if you see more decorations going up all across the Ohio Valley soon enough.

The Wellsburg Christmas Parade and Weirton’s Christmas on Main Street are both set for Nov. 22, while the Weirton Christmas Parade is scheduled for Nov. 29.

Oglebay’s Festival of Lights gets underway for its season this Thursday (Nov. 6)! Wheeling’s Christmas parade is set for Nov. 21.

So, while some of us are trying to squeeze in those last moments of Spooky Season, the Season of Giving is well upon us.

It’s important we think of one of those words in particular, especially this year.

This holiday season has a focus on giving, not just because we often exchange gifts as part of our celebration, but because of the emphasis of giving to others, especially those who may not be as well off.

We are going to see fundraisers and clothing and toy drives advertised in the coming weeks through numerous churches, civic groups, and charitable organizations. Each year, those of us here at the newspaper encourage members of our community who are able to give something to assist those who might need a helping hand.

That need looks to be increasing this year due to factors beyond our control, and that encouragement to help your neighbor is going to be even more important to remember as we enter these holidays and go beyond.

Groups such as the Salvation Army, Community Bread Basket, United Way, Table of Hope, Urban Mission, Mountaineer Food Bank, and more already have seen an increase in demand for their assistance this year.

That was before those “leading” things at the federal level decided to dig in their heels in an effort to score political points instead of addressing their actual jobs and making certain we have a functional government which addresses the needs of the nation.

Our food banks already are seeing demand increase, with some not able to keep up with the amount of food necessary to help those seeking to keep their families fed.

Bell ringers soon will be stationed at stores and other locations in our region as the Salvation Army kicks off its kettle campaign, with Angel Trees also popping up at various businesses to provide a few toys for our youth and some holiday meals.

I’ve already seen a few banners for Toys for Tots drives in the area.

There will be, and needs to be, some efforts from our government to fill in some gaps here, but the real support will need to come at the local level as we look out for our families, friends, and neighbors.

(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is managing editor of The Weirton Daily Times, and can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter/X @CHowellWDT)