Any other time of the year, it would have been graffiti, but when kids from Plains High School traipsed around town, painting the windows of many local businesses last Friday, Dec. 3, it was just part of spreading Christmas cheer.

It also helped that the murals where all done in themes of winter wonder.

The students came from all grades and are currently taking classes in art from teacher Kristen Cole.

Cole has been organizing the window-painting event for the last 17 years.

“ I’ve done it every year that I’ve taught,” Cole said.

The event started as a way for students to not only spread Christmas cheer, but to do work to benefit the community as well.

“I thought it would be a nice community service,” Cole said, “and just to help decorate the whole town with the holiday spirit.”

To start the event, Cole sends out letters to local businesses, asking if they would like students to stop by and paint their windows.

The students use a tempera paint, which is a poster paint, to do the window paintings, to which they add a secret ingredient, dish soap. That way they can remove the paint from the windows more easily.

Cole encourage the students to talk with the business people that they’re working for to offer to come back and wash the window off afterward.

“We don’t take a day out of school for that, but I’m just hoping that they’ll go back sometime during Christmas break,” Cole said. And if they do, Cole is prepared to offer them more community service hours or award them extra credit.

Approximately 20 businesses took part in the window painting, even though only 15 businesses returned letters.

In the letter, Cole asks for business owners to write if they want students to paint a specific design or if they had a design they would like students to recreate.

“Most of them let the students design the window,” Cole said.

All told there were 32 students out painting windows last Friday, which for Cole was a good-sized group.

“All of my high school art students are involved,” Cole said. “It was a nice number to keep track of.”

Cole stated that the students were very responsible and respectful through the whole event, and they represented the school well and met all of her expectations. Cole attributes this with a genuine enjoyment of the event.

“I think they want to be out there,” Cole said. “That makes a difference.”

For Cole, one of the most rewarding aspects of the event was seeing the students having a good time during the event and enjoying the day. Some kids look forward to taking part in the event each season.

“They usually ask me every year if we are going to go and paint windows,” Cole said.

Cole also looks forward to the event each year, not only as a way to get into the Christmas spirit, but to get the opportunity to work with her students outside of the classroom as well.

“I just really enjoy working with all of the kids out there,” Cole said.