Every year at around this time, Sean Alejo takes a group of middle- and high-school students to help out at the Special Olympics.

While his big holiday effort means supervising a group of 15 to 20 kids, setting up the Olympic Town for Special Olympians to hang out between competitions, and organizing crafts and carnival games, Alejo doesn't mind the work.

"Being able to see what participants can do inspires me to do better and be a better person," said Alejo, 29. "Giving back to the community is something I really enjoy."

Christmas may be the busiest, but it's also long been the givingest season, when people volunteer, make annual gift contributions or get charitable donations in before the end of the tax year.

"We've found that not only for AUW but industry-wide, the holiday season is the most giving time of the year," said Lisa Cripe, Aloha United Way assistant vice president of marketing.

For many, however, it's the gift of time that gets the holiday juices going. Among other things. (Stop here if you blush easily. ...)

While many people open their wallets for an annual Christmas donation, Central Union Church member Kathy Tyler of Kane'ohe cringingly remembers the time she opened her robes while volunteering to act as Mary during a drive-through nativity display.

"From then on, I was known as the flashing Virgin Mary at Central Union Church," said Tyler, now able to laugh about it.

She really didn't mean to flash the senior pastor or hordes of spectators driving around the church grounds. Tyler was trying to get her husband's attention, to let him know she'd stepped in to help with the live tableau when a girl scheduled to play Mary failed to show.

Still, as undignified as that moment was, Tyler continues to use what little spare time she has during the busy season to help out with the annual extravaganza, complete with sheep and not one, but two sets of Mary and Joseph.

Not only does it infuse her with the spirit of the season, it's become tradition, she said.

"It's seeing the children have such a wonderful time, seeing people's faces as they drive by. We're helping promote the love of the season, the joy," Tyler said.

"Christmas is a time for us to remember the why, the whole reason behind it."

Want to give of your time this season? Here's a sampling of volunteer opportunities. (Also check your local church or favorite nonprofit.)

Faith-based opportunities: You don't have to be a member of the faithful to help at either Project Dana (a Buddhist charity based at Moiliili Hongwanji, 945-3736 or projdana@pixi.com) or Catholic Charities (546-2277 or www.catholiccharitieshawaii.org).

Database: Aloha United Way offers a database of volunteer opportunities that you can tailor to your specifications. It breaks down by youth, families, adults, seniors, interns, large groups and the like. Go to www.volunteerhawaii.org or dial 211.

Some holiday-themed options: