This year I'm one-upping Hanukkah
Elana's giving Hanukkah a certain oomph this year to help foster cultural pride in her children
Credit: Nate Steiner
Not to snow on anyone’s Santa, but my family is Jewish; we don’t celebrate Christmas. People often ask me incredulously, “You don’t celebrate ANY part of Christmas?” No, not really. Some years we are invited to friends for an unChristmas potluck or join others for Christmas dinner, but left to our own devices Christmas is a non-holiday. I like it that way. We have a plethora of Jewish holidays that take place in September and October, add to that family birthdays in November and December, and I welcome the break. (Not to mention Chinese takeout and movie night!)
My daughter on the other hand is disappointed. Last year, when she asked why we don’t celebrate Christmas, I asked her what she feels she is missing out on? She said the lights were really pretty. She’s right, the lights are beautiful. I myself have yearned to decorate our home with a string of sparkly lights. This year, my daughter is upset we don’t celebrate Christmas because she is missing out on “so many presents.”
I am starting to worry we will have this conversation every year. So this year, I’m one-upping Hanukkah, a holiday I don’t usually take that seriously. It is not an actual religious holiday, but its importance has been inflated by the competition. Now that kids are in the picture, I realize I want them to appreciate their own holidays and traditions, so here’s how I’m taking Hanukkah to the next level:
- This weekend we went to my in-laws to cook latkes. I got to sample a few and they were delicious! I cannot wait to have some more tonight, the first night of Hanukkah.
- I bought some new Hanukkah stories and have been reading them nightly to both girls.
- Last week we started counting down the sleeps until Hanukkah.
- We sought out some dreidel shaped cookie-cutters and plan on baking Hanukkah cookies over the break (possibly on Christmas day!)
- Our friends and family will be joining us for a special Friday night Hanukkah dinner this week.
- I even hung up some Hanukkah decorations on our window.
- I also gave in and bought one or two presents that were fun, instead of something practical like pajamas or mitts.
Have you felt the need to up your holiday traditions since having kids?
Photo by Nate Steiner via Flickr
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mawgie says ....
I am a great-grandmother. I asked my Muslim gas attendant if he celebrates Christmas. He said "Of course, it is all about peace and love, so what's not to celebrate?" What a wise young man. I think we should all celebrate each other's holidays. More partying, less feuding. That's the world I would like to leave for my little ones.
Angelika (not verified) says ....
I like your one upmanship. Take that Red Suited Fat Man! Your kids will soon appreciate the Chinese take-out and movie night - have no fear. Nothing wrong with blue and white twinkly lights on the front porch, either (for next year)! Happy Hanukkah!
Haley Overland says ....
Love it! This is my favourite line: Hanukkah's "importance has been inflated by the competition." So well put. I'm going to try some of these things too. I have to say my kids are excited about the candle lighting. My daughter wants to show her non-Jewish best friend how we light the candles. :)
Jenna (not verified) says ....
I never understood why people would want to commercialize Chanukah and make it like shopping frenzied Christmas. The hoody should not be about stuff. I guess I can understand if it's for the sake of the children. However, as someone who celebrates Christmas I wish Christmas could be toned down (also for the sake of the children). Among my group of friends two Christmas trees has become the new norm. It's all gotten quite out of hand. So be careful what you wish for.
karengreeners says ....
Being in a multi-faith marriage, my husband and I often joke about how Chanukah cannot possibly compete with Christmas. Remember the Hanukkah Armadillo on Friends? So, we don't compete. We make it something completely different. We ooh and aah over our neighbours' Christmas decorations, and then we light our little menorah and open our one - one - gift. And like you guys, we eat latkes and sing songs and we play dreidles. But no Christmas in our house. We go to my in-laws for that, which we also enjoy. Hopefully my kids appreciate both. I think they do.
p.s. I really, really miss Chinese food and a movie on Christmas eve.