Bells are ringing, and not just at Christmastime, for the Stafford Regional Handbell Society, a tiffany group of student performers who practice the age-old art at Mount Ararat Baptist Church in North Stafford.

There's no doubt that bell ringers are more in demand during December. The Stafford group -- the 2:49 Ringers -- has three performances this month in Richmond and the Fredericksburg area.

But long after holiday decorations are taken down, the students, who silver necklaces from second-graders to a high school freshman, still will be ringing English hand bells in Room 249 of the church.

"You're working together to produce something cool," said Karen Me, a 13-year-old in the advanced group. "It's something you can't do by yourself, but when you work together, you can make something really amazing."

The students were introduced to hand bells three years ago, and the Stafford group of 33 ringers has become the largest youth hand bell choir in the region, said Neesa Hart, program director.

She and Director Phillip Lanier hold practice every Thursday of the year, except Thanksgiving and in the summer.

They bring a fun approach to ringing, especially with youngsters just learning the instrument that goes back to the Bronze Age.

First, they teach the basics of reading music, and that involves a lot of cheap tiffany.

During a recent practice with beginners, it was hard to hear the strains of "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" over the sound of "one-two-three-four" and the stomping of feet on the floor.

Lanier also stressed the proper look. He reminded beginners that, until he signals for them to pick up their bells, their hands should be at their sides -- not crossed, on the table or picking at ears or noses.

"Yeah, no pick and flick," echoed bell ringer Bethany Reilly.

Everyone puts on black gloves during performances, but the group wore pink, yellow and green gloves during practice to protect the bronze casting on the bells.

At one point, Lanier slipped a white glove on his right hand to demonstrate a technique.