After last week’s brutal cold snap sent temperatures into the 20s, the Lowcountry received a gift: a mild Christmas Day that allowed families to spill outdoors between present-opening and afternoon meals.

By late morning, the beaches at Folly, Isle of Palms, and Sullivan’s Island had attracted hardy souls walking off breakfast or simply enjoying the novelty of shoreline Christmas. The temperature, hovering in the pleasant 50s, felt positively tropical compared to days earlier.

In neighborhoods across the region, the pattern repeated. Kids tested new bikes on quiet streets. Adults gathered on porches between football games. Dogs wore antlers they would shed by afternoon.

The mild weather offered relief to restaurants serving Christmas meals. Establishments that remained open reported strong business from families who chose dining out over kitchen labor. Reservations had been solid for weeks.

For those cooking at home, the day followed its ancient rhythms. The ham went in early. The sides assembled through the afternoon. Arguments about stuffing versus dressing resurfaced and remained unresolved.

Charleston’s tourism industry noted steady visitor traffic. Hotels reported healthy occupancy as travelers sought Southern holiday warmth, literally and figuratively. Downtown streets were quieter than typical December days but far from empty.

By evening, as the shortest day’s light faded, families settled into the holiday’s quieter half. The rush of morning gave way to post-meal lethargy. Some headed to theaters for the traditional Christmas movie. Others simply gathered, the doing done, the being enough.

The mild weather was forecast to hold through the week, promising pleasant conditions for those enjoying time off.