Carolers sound old-fashioned note.

Byline: JACK MORAN The Register-Guard

Wayne Hanson and his family have been so busy spreading holiday cheer this month that they still haven't found time to pick out a Christmas tree for their own Elmira home.

Instead of spending most of December decking their own halls, The Hanson Family Singers have used the holiday season to perform Christmas carols at about 30 gigs at churches, parties and fund-raising events.

"We've been doing so much lately that we just haven't been able to get a tree yet," said Leslie Hanson, the mother of seven children who have sung alongside her at various venues for about 15 years now.

The group's present lineup includes Mom, Dad, and five of their children between the ages of 8 and 20. Two older daughters who already have left the nest still chime in when they're in town.

"For us, singing is an opportunity to make others' Christmases that much better," said Wayne Hanson, the family patriarch and group leader. "It's our way of sharing the gifts that God gave us."

On Sunday, the family shared those gifts with a full house of guests who listened to carols while sipping midday tea and snacking on goodies at the Campbell House Inn, a bed and breakfast in Eugene.

Later in the day they played at a pizzeria and at a hospital, and they will head to Portland on Tuesday for a series of events that will conclude with a formal church concert Jan. 5. The family says they'll be back with plenty of Eugene performances again next year.

Dressed in "Dickens-style" regalia reminiscent of the apparel worn in the fictional days of Jacob Marley and Tiny Tim, the group on Sunday offered up a capella versions of everything from "Jingle Bells" to "Angels We Have Heard On High."

"It's almost like they've been taken out of another time and brought back here to sing," said Campbell House proprietor Myra Plant. "They bring that traditional Christmas feeling with them that everyone loves to hear."

Plant, who booked the singers for a total of eight daytime performances this month, said customers are unfailingly enthusiastic about The Hanson Family Singers.

The family hears similar compliments, but responds with humility.

"It just does our hearts good to know our music touches their hearts," said Wayne Hanson, who ended Sunday's performance by telling the applauding crowd, "Merry Christmas, everyone. Enjoy your tea."

Although everyone in the family seems to know that little brother Daniel, 8, is usually the house favorite, the group is much more about sibling harmony than sibling rivalry.

"I really like the way our voices sound together when we're singing," said daughter Christa, 17. "We call it relative harmony, because all of our voices are pretty similar."

On their own, Christa and her two younger sisters, Lisa, 13, and Theresa, 11, performed a stirring rendition of "White Christmas" that hushed the crowd Sunday.

The trio has talked about forming their own group, which is just fine with Dad.

"I'm encouraging them," said Wayne Hanson. "They remind me of the Lennon Sisters."

Oldest brother Michael, 20, is a student at Lane Community College and the only current member who lives away from the family home. He said he was recruited into the singing group when he was about 7 years old. "As soon as they knew that I knew the songs, they started making me sing with them," he said. "There's always been music at our house."

While the family performs throughout the year, December is when it matters most, Leslie Hanson said. "A lot of people tell us how they see so few families doing this type of thing together, and that's unfortunate," she said. "The idea of having family together is the most important thing this time of year."

More important, even, than having a Christmas tree inside the house on Dec. 23.

THE HANSON FAMILY SINGERS

What: A free concert featuring the group from Elmira singing Christmas carols

When/where: 7 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 5, Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 375 N.E. Clackamas St., Portland

For more information: Call Wayne or Leslie Hanson at [phone]

CAPTION(S):

WAYNE EASTBURN / The Register-Guard "I really like the way our voices sound together when we're singing," says Christa Hanson, 17, who is considering forming a spinoff group. THE HANSON FAMILY SINGERS What: A free concert featuring the group from Elmira singing Christmas carols When/where: 7 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 5, Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 375 N.E. Clackamas St., Portland For more information: Call Wayne or Leslie Hanson at [phone] The family says they'll be back with plenty of Eugene performances again next year.