The ghosts of loved ones past hang around the Christmas tree at Agape House this year.

People have been taking up an invitation to come and hang mementos of their loved ones -- not only those who have died because of AIDS or from other terminal illnesses, but any member of the community.

Most of the ornaments now adorning the eight-and-a-half-foot tree have come from the community, said hospice coodinator Mrs. Hilary Soares yesterday. "I put two ornaments on there for a couple of friends who died a couple of years ago,'' added volunteer coordinator Mrs. Jacqueline Horsfield.

She stressed that it was a positive memorial -- not a morbid one. "People are bringing in ornaments to brighten the lives of the families and patients of Agape House.'' Part of the project, too, she said, was to get people to come to Agape House, "and see what a home it is''.

Agape House was trying to help people to face their attitudes about death in a positive way, she said.

The residents of the hospice, she said, were "all really pleased,'' coming up to look at the tree every day to see if any names had been added. They know some of the people, from living with them at Agape House.

Resident Mr. Sinclair Vanputten, speaking quietly, said that he and the others enjoyed looking at the tree. His mother has put an ornament up for his father.

Mrs. Soares said there were only about five residents at the moment, which was "very low''. However, they expected an influx after Christmas, with families, having experienced busy and stressful holidays, being unable to cope any longer with terminally ill family members.

Mrs. Horsfield said everyone talks about next year: "Next year, we'll need a bigger tree.'' Some of the residents will not be there then, she said, but the forward perspective is good for them.

"It reassures them that they are always in people's minds,'' she said.

"Each ornament is tagged with the name of the person, and on Twelfth Night, when we take the tree down, the ornaments will be carefully stored and put up again next year.'' Mrs. Soares said the idea came from Amis Memorial Chapel which did it every year. It helped to put life into perspective, she said.

Christmas is a big celebration at the hospice, with school choirs and other carollers coming to sing for the residents. A Christmas party last Friday night was attended by more than 200 people of all ages, "a real cross-section of the community,'' said Mrs. Horsfield.

She helped a four-year-old girl put up an ornament for her grandmother during the party.

She commented that all the residents at Agape House had something in common, and "all else is forgotten when they remember that''.