As a Jewish Mama navigating the dual holiday landscape of Hanukkah and Christmas with my husband and our two lively boys, I’ve found that our celebrations revolve around food, family, traditions, and yes, presents. We aren’t a particularly religious family, so our focus is on the joy of togetherness, although my kids often resemble a crew of Santa-obsessed little elves who would hop into any vehicle with a guy in a red suit offering Hanukkah gelt.
Embarking on this Christmas journey with a Jewish upbringing has been a whirlwind of confusion, laughter, and enlightenment. For any Mamas out there who are new to this festive season (and may be thinking “Oy vey”), here are some essential dos and don’ts for surviving Christmas with a smile:
- Don’t Channel Your Inner Grinch. Shopping for two enthusiastic boys who want every toy reviewed by their favorite YouTube star can be overwhelming. While I dream of escaping the holiday chaos for a family trip, my pleas are usually met with incredulous stares. Let it go; being a Grinch won’t get you anywhere.
- Don’t Miss Out on Santa’s Disciplinary Powers. Using Santa as a tool for behavior management works wonders. Phrases like “Santa’s watching if you don’t brush your teeth!” keep things in line. I can overlook the post-Christmas morning chaos knowing Santa helped maintain order.
- Do Take Your Kids to Meet Santa. Nothing beats the hilarious interactions that happen when kids sit on Santa’s lap, especially at unexpected places like the mall.
- Don’t Over-Explain Santa’s Arrival. Keep your explanations simple to avoid scaring the kids. Trust me; questions like “Is Santa going to enter my room?” can lead to sleepless nights.
- Do Invest in a Real Christmas Tree. They’re eco-friendly, smell wonderful, and motivate you to take down decorations before Passover rolls around.
- Do Let Your Kids Decorate the Tree. It might end up looking a bit lopsided, but the joy on their faces is worth it. You can always adjust the ornaments later!
- Do Something Charitable. Amidst the giving, help your kids understand the importance of generosity, especially during the holiday season.
- Don’t Place Presents Under the Tree Too Early. Wait until the kids are asleep on Christmas Eve to set out the gifts. This year, I learned the hard way that revealing Santa’s wrapping paper too soon can lead to some awkward questions.
- Do Leave Cookies and Milk for Santa. And when the kids are finally asleep, enjoy a cookie (or three) yourself. You’ll need that sugar rush for the post-sleep chaos!
- Don’t Wrap Santa’s Gifts with Your Own Paper. This rookie mistake led to my son’s inquisitive “How does Santa have the same wrapping paper as us?” Trust me; just avoid that confusion.
- Do Give Yourself a Pat on the Back. As you haul away the holiday trash and recycling on December 26th, celebrate your survival of Christmas. You did it!
As my guide for Jewish Mamas ends, I leave you with this thought: Which is more tedious, scraping wax off a menorah or taking down a Christmas tree? Spoiler alert: they both can be a pain in the neck.
For more insights on managing holiday chaos, check out this other blog post. And if you’re considering at-home options for insemination, Make a Mom offers great products to assist your journey. For further understanding of success rates, WebMD is an excellent resource.
In summary, navigating the holiday season as a Jewish Mama celebrating Christmas can be both rewarding and challenging. Remember to embrace the joy, keep things lighthearted, and most importantly, enjoy the time spent with family.
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