Angels are found in various and sundry ways at Christmas－from garishly blinking figures made of plastic to biblically-inspired images dressed in classic garments.

Those who opt for such items as gifts or decorations quickly find themselves dealing with a symbol of devotion into which the New Age scene is blossoming as well.

Juergen Lipp, who has a bookstore specializing in esoteric articles in Hamburg, Germany, likes to surround himself with angels in numerous forms.

"Angels are so beautifully descriptive," Lipp said. Angels are a favorite symbol for people who want to celebrate Christmas not in a strictly religious sense, but rather in a more spiritual way, added Lipp.

But buyers should use caution when including angel-related items among the gifts they are giving.

It can easily backfire, said style consultant Jan Schaumann of Berlin. Such things are not everyone's taste, especially older people.

"Many youths might think, 'Wow, what a cool thing,' looking at a gaudy blinking plastic cross, but people who connect more to the cross find such an item perhaps tasteless."

Protestant minister Hinrich Westphal of Hamburg is critical of the way angels are marketed nowadays.

"It's mostly done to make cash registers ring," Westphal said.

Schaumann said tacky Christmas decorations are detrimental to the contemplative nature of Christmas. "Many people are pulling away from over-the-top light shows in their apartments," he added.