One street and then another. One block and then the next. There’s more on this street and then even more over there.

It seems wherever you drive in Selma and Dallas County you’re bound to see Christmas decorations.

The displays come in all sizes, all colors and all wattages.

But, the one thing they all have in common is they were all constructed, all arranged and all displayed with the pride of someone gleaming with the Christmas spirit.

Even before Thanksgiving, you saw a few of your neighbors out hanging lights from the eves of their homes. And, in some cases, you saw a few of your neighbors simply dusting off the ones they left hanging from last year.

The displays — both big and small — began lighting up soon after and now, just about every street through this beautiful community is illuminated honoring the Christmas season.

There are those who would critique one over the other. That’s fine. Their criticism doesn’t deter those who work to cover every square inch of their yard with an inflatable Christmas scene or light-covered reindeer.

For these families — and for the hundreds who drive by slowly to catch every nuance of the display — these displays are a crucial part of the holidays and we are big fans.

We have had the chance to cover just a few of those who have some of the larger displays in the area, but to those Christmas-light Picassos who we didn’t stop and say hello to, we now say thanks.

Thanks for making Christmas shine a little brighter this year, we hope it was well worth the post-Christmas gift you’ll receive in January from Alabama Power.