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By JOYANNA LOVE/ Managing Editor

Christmas in Alabama can be a bit strange.

Most of my life has been spent in areas more prone to snow, and even a few white Christmases.

As I walked down the streets of Clanton and Maplesville on recent days, the classic Christmas song “Let is Snow” started to play. Both times, it was about 70 degrees outside.

I remember one year a few years ago when there was snow here in Clanton, but it is a rarity. Christmas snow seems only rarer.

But there are great things about a warmer Christmas, too. The community Christmas events can be held outdoors and be well attended. Old Fashioned Christmas in Maplesville, which is the first Sunday in December, always seems to have warm weather. The parades this year for Jemison and Thorsby also enjoyed more fall like temperatures.

Warmer temperatures mean ice will not be an issue during holiday shopping or visiting friends and family.

Christmas cheer around here is not tied to the temperature to make us feel cold shivers of excitement. Chilton County finds its holiday spirit in other ways.

Many find it through helping in the community, whether it is through helping with the holiday events or giving to the toy drives, food drives and other opportunities to support nonprofits financially at this time of year.

This kind of cheer can last long after Christmas Day has come and gone. Embracing a giving spirit, not just of things, but of time and encouragement can be a way to keep the joy of Christmas all year long.