Trees, bushes, windows, and porches brighten the night with patriotic colors. Tiny American flags are tucked into the arms of angel tree-toppers and slipped into ceramic winter village scenes. Americana-themed jewelry, ornaments, sweaters, comforters, jeans, T-shirts, greeting cards, and children's books - few of which are made in the United States - are being purchased and wrapped as gifts. And some flag-waving Santas have traded red pants for navy blue ones.

Patriotism is the ingredient adding flavor to the 2001 holiday season. It is not, after all, so long from chilly December nights to the day that has come to be known simply as “9-11.”

Led by Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner, lights bedecking outdoor “unity” trees will be switched on at 6:05 p.m. Tuesday in recognition of the people who lost their lives in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Throughout the region, people are finding ways to express their love of country, sorrow at the loss of life, hope for peace, or support for the people who toil in the rubble of the former World Trade Center.

In Wauseon, a pair of former Marines have been illuminating the night since September. Doug and Sherrie Dominique's home features thousands of lights forming a huge flag and the letters “USA.” They have created dramatic light displays for years and have won the town of Wauseon's decorating contest more than once.

“Our intention was to show support for the victims and people who are cleaning up. But it's also to keep people's patriotism strong,” said Mrs. Dominique, who met her husband in the early 1980s when they were in the Marine Corps.

Dee Talmage has long incorporated patriotism into the holidays at her Ottawa Hills home. This year she'll play up the theme even more.

Married to a man whose 32-year career in the Army National Guard took him to the rank of brigadier general, Mrs. Talmage has collected ornaments from military posts they have lived on or visited. Her husband, Lance Talmage, a Toledo obstetrician-gynecologist, served in the medical corps of the Army National Guard.

Stars shoot from the top of the Talmages' tree, lights are red, white, and blue, and ornaments include soldiers, doctors, and various styles of flags. Toy soldiers are stationed both outside and inside the front door of the home. Dr. Talmage, 63, is retired from the service, but could be called up in an emergency to serve at a stateside hospital, said Ms. Talmage.

The roof on the Old Orchard home of Julie and Rob Poignon has a 4-by-6-foot “flag” of lights, and their trees and bushes are bedecked with red, white, and blue twinklers. Ms. Poignon also has snowmen decked out in “I Love the USA” gear.

It's a special Christmas because it's the first for their son, Noah. In addition, the owner of the Medusa salon, where Ms. Poignon works as a nail technician, re-enlisted in October and is serving as a military police officer at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, said Ms. Poignon.

The hit ornament of the season seems to be “Brave Heart,” a four-and-a-half-inch glass heart painted in a flag pattern. Popular ornament designer Christopher Radko, who is donating the net profits to the Red Cross' Sept. 11 relief fund, introduced it in September.

Hundreds of thousands of the European-made hearts have sold for $34 at department and gift stores, making Brave Heart the 16-year-old company's top seller, said a spokeswoman for Christopher Radko.

And the patriotically rich, for whom green is always in season, can select from the shimmering “Stars and Stripes” collection of pins and tie tacks by Le Vian. They're set with rubies, diamonds and sapphires and retail for up to $50,000.

An inexpensive line of flag-themed pins, belts, earrings, necklaces, and handbags are sold by Sally Bales, owner of Accessorize. She figures she has sold 4,500 items, most for $10.

“It's been slowing down, but now people are buying them for Christmas gifts,” said Ms. Bales, whose wholesale and export jewelry business is on Monroe Street in Sylvania Township.

By October, some stores, such as The Andersons in Maumee, had sold out of red, white, and blue ornaments, and by November were out of red, white, clear, and blue lights, said Ron Bell, lawn and garden manager. Gold, green, purple, pink, and multi-color lights are available, said Mr. Bell, but they're not likely to get more of the patriotic colors in stock this year.

Also jumping on the patriotic bandwagon is Children's Wear Digest, with flag and fire truck-imprinted clothing.

First Published December 8, 2001, 5:57 p.m.