reflection of a greater interest in Bermudian arts and crafts. Whatever the reason, more and more people are creating their own Christmas decorations.

Many echo a Bermudian theme, or are made of local materials -- shells picked from the beaches, and fairy dolls and angels shaped from dried banana leaves are firm favourites.

In this sense, Bermuda's celebration of Christmas has come full circle from a century ago.

Archivist Mr. John Adams says that by the second half of the 19th century, Bermudians were starting to decorate their houses with foliage gathered from wayside lanes and woods. An item in The Royal Gazette for December 1893 described St. George's in her "holiday attire, the different stores along Water Street profusely decorated out with greens and flowers.'' On Christmas Day, it went on, "the Churches were decorated as usual, some of the decorations (especially those in the old Parish Church) were very striking and displayed much good taste in their arrangement''.

At Prospect Camp, headquarters of the British garrison, "the signs of the festive season were everywhere apparent from the simple bunch of evergreens to the more extensive and elaborate display of bunting, coloured paper and foliage''.

But even 100 years ago, the latest trends of the outside world were already catching on in Bermuda. The Royal Gazette for that period is full of advertisements for "Imported'' Christmas cards, selling, it should be noted, for 2d (pence) a dozen.

In today's Bermuda, the Muzak-strains of Hark the Herald Angels Sing seem to blare forth from stores and shopping malls earlier and earlier each year. By late October, boxes of brightly coloured glass balls and winking neon lights have already found their way from the United States to local shelves. Perhaps it is their very similarity that has caused so many to try their hands at creating a look that is different from the house next door.

Ever since the Arts Centre at Dockyard opened, it has championed the cause of Bermuda's crafts, and through their efforts, some of our most gifted artisans have received public recognition. Never slow to catch on to commercial possibilities, increasing numbers of Bermudians are now selling their homemade wares through stores and galleries. They are in high demand.

One of the latest outlets is the Visitors Centre at the Botanical Gardens, where locally-made Christmas tree decorations are popular with tourists and residents alike. In keeping with their ecological image, there is often a botanical theme, and their attractive angel dolls are made of banana leaves, with a hazel nut and string for face and hair.

Says volunteer Mrs. Nancy Hind, "This is the second year we have been selling Christmas ornaments. They have done very well and I think that's because anyone who buys from us knows that they will be environment-friendly.'' For Mrs. Jessica Kriendler-Pedro, who is well known for her scarves and quilting work at the Dockyard Centre, the making of Christmas decorations is a family tradition. It was her mother, Mrs. Peggy Berk, who inspired and taught her, and between them they have built up a collection that have become family heirlooms.

Ms Becky Young uses her spare time to make her own twig wreaths and baskets decorated with dried flowers and scented with pot-pourri: "I found them too expensive to buy, and I enjoy making them. People liked them and started placing orders.'' At the Bermuda Society of Arts, the small retail gallery has Christmas dolls, toting Christmas puddings and party fare, made by Mrs. Diana Williams, while artist Mrs. Valerie Weddup is displaying spectacular Christmas angels that are almost two feet high, made of banana leaves and sprayed with gold.

DECORATIONS - BERMUDA STYLE -- A selection of locally made Christmas decorations includes Peggy Berk's angelfish, Santa egg and cork horse, banana-leaf angels by Adrianna Goodfellow, cones, angel and lace fan by Jessica Kriendler, Nora Pillindine's feather angel and (bottom row) festive hats and wreaths made by volunteers at the Botanical Gardens Visitors Centre.

GILDED ANGEL -- This Christmas angel by artist Valerie Weddup is made of banana leaves, Spanish moss and pittisporum leaves.

CRAFTY IDEAS -- Ms Becky Young (above) holds up one of her twig wreaths, available for the holdidays. In photograph at right are other examples of her work.