As a Jewish Mama married to a Christmas-loving husband, I find myself juggling both Hanukkah and Christmas festivities with our two energetic boys. We’re not super religious, so our celebrations revolve around food, family, traditions, and, of course, gifts. The challenge? My kids are like little Santa enthusiasts, ready to hop into any red-suited ride that promises them Hanukkah gelt.
Navigating the Christmas landscape with my Jewish upbringing has been a delightful mix of confusion and laughter. For fellow Mamas who are stepping into the world of Christmas (and might be feeling a bit overwhelmed), here are some light-hearted dos and don’ts for a joyful holiday season:
- Don’t channel the Grinch. Shopping for Hanukkah and Christmas gifts for two toy-obsessed boys who already have everything is enough to make me consider living off the grid—except for the essentials like air conditioning, Chardonnay, and SkinnyPop, of course. By Christmas morning, my boys tear through gifts as if they’re on a mission, and every year I suggest we skip the chaos for a family getaway. They look at me like I’ve lost my mind. Just remember: Grinches never win!
- Don’t forget Santa’s influence on discipline! Use the magic of Santa to encourage good behavior—“I’ll let Santa know you didn’t brush your teeth!” works wonders. For a few months each year, Santa helps maintain order in our home, and that’s worth the mess on Christmas morning. (By the way, in our house, Hanukkah gelt doubles as leverage.)
- Do take the kids to meet Santa! There’s no telling what hilarious things they’ll say to that jolly guy in front of the mall’s Victoria’s Secret.
- Don’t over-explain Santa. Keep it simple when discussing how Santa gets in on Christmas Eve. Answer only the questions they ask, or you might end up with a kid who’s terrified about Santa sneaking into their bedroom. Yikes.
- Do get a real Christmas tree. They smell amazing, are better for the environment, and give you a reason to take it down before Passover rolls around.
- Allow your kids to decorate the tree. It might look a bit chaotic, and the ornaments may only be at toddler height, but it boosts their confidence—and you can always rearrange things later when they’re at school. If they ask about the design choices, just sprinkle in a bit of pixie dust.
- Engage in something charitable (seriously). The holiday season is all about receiving, especially when celebrating multiple holidays, so make sure your kids understand the importance of giving back too.
- Don’t set out presents before the kids are asleep on Christmas Eve! I used to get excited and put gifts under the tree as I wrapped them. It seemed smart until my husband pointed out that hiding them is key to keeping the Santa magic alive.
- Do accept that Santa gets the glory. Yes, you did all the hard work, but with so much negativity in the world, it’s refreshing to see your kids admire a good figure—at least it’s not another Minecraft character.
- Remember the stockings! I used to dream of having a Christmas stocking stuffed to the brim. Now, it feels like a chore to fill them. The day I find a trip to Aruba stashed away in my stocking will change my tune. Note to self: Get stockings for Mom and Dad next year!
- Leave cookies and milk for Santa. But also, don’t forget to indulge once the kids are asleep. You’ll need that sugar boost to complete Santa’s work!
- Wrap Santa’s gifts differently. Trust me on this one! I learned the hard way when my son questioned, “How does Santa use our wrapping paper?” Just sprinkle some pixie dust if that happens.
- Pat yourself on the back when you haul out the trash on December 26th. You made it through Christmas!
As I wrap up this guide for Jewish Mamas celebrating Christmas, I leave you with a thought: Which is more tedious—scraping candle wax from a menorah or taking down a Christmas tree? Don’t dwell on it too long; both tasks are a bit of a pain.
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In summary, juggling two holiday celebrations can be overwhelming but also filled with joy and laughter. Embrace the chaos, enjoy the magic, and don’t forget to have fun along the way!