My house doesn’t glow with colorful lights this time of year. I don’t have giant blow up reindeer in my yard. There’s no beautifully decorated, festive Christmas tree in my living room. My children have never taken a picture on Santa’s lap, or attended midnight mass, or hung their stockings by the fire with care, or ripped into dozens of presents on Christmas morning.
Because my family celebrates Chanukah.
With so much emphasis on Christmas, it’s taken some effort to convince my children they’re not missing out.
Like when classmates used to brag how they’d been good all year and Santa would be going to their house to bring them lots of presents. And my children cried, “We’ve been good all year, too. Why won’t Santa come to our house?”
Like when their classes held Christmas parties and sang Christmas songs and made Christmas crafts.
Like when my children see their eight presents but can only open one per night instead of all at once.
Like when they asked for a Chanukah bush (aka small version of a Christmas tree) to decorate and I said, “No.”
Like when they asked for Chanukah lights and inflatable decorations so we weren’t the only dark house in the neighborhood and I couldn’t find anything suitable.
Like when Chanukah, which does not follow the standard U.S. calendar, falls a few days after Thanksgiving, and my children’s holiday season peaks before their friends who celebrate Christmas have even started.
So to make our celebration of Chanukah special, I created the Chanukah table. While it doesn’t come close to the beauty of a Christmas tree, I cover it with a bright cloth decorated with multi-colored menorahs. And it looks pretty festive with all the wrapped gifts piled high on top.
When my children were younger, I researched Chanukah crafts and got approval from their teachers to bring in marshmallows, chocolate kisses, and pretzels sticks so the class could make edible dreidels in addition to the crafts planned by the class moms. And my children felt pride in sharing what each symbol on the dreidel meant.
I make it a point to either host or attend a family Chanukah party every year so my children can experience that sense of holiday togetherness while they eat latkes, sing Chanukah songs, play Chanukah games, and tear into present after present from extended family.
And so they don’t forget the meaning of Chanukah, we attend a lovely candlelit service at our temple, where each family brings a special menorah from home and they are spread around the sanctuary then lit.
What do you do to make the holidays special for your children? Click on the number next to the title of this post to comment.
We celebrate Christmas and my kids get 4 gifts each. This year the theme is “something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read” my sister in law shared that with me this year. We have also made all handmade ornaments for our tree. Live simple but meaningful traditions.
Hi Teri! And Welcome!
I think a theme is a fabulous idea! And handmade ornaments, too! My children used to love to see their artwork displayed around the house. Live simple but meaningful traditions sums it up for me!
Thank you for stopping by !
Your celebration sounds wonderful, Wendy! How beautiful the temple must be with all the menorahs lit.
We are Catholic so our house is glowing with lights outside, though this year I haven’t yet gotten the inside decorated.
One of our family traditions is the advent wreath. Four candles set in evergreen for the four weeks of Advent leading up to Christmas. Each time the family gathers for a meal the children light the candle(s) (depending on what week we are in) and recite a short prayer.
Hi Regina!
I’ve never heard of the four weeks of advent leading up to Christmas. The candle lighting prior to meal time sounds lovely. It’s so important to remember the religious significance of holidays – that have become so commercialized.
How beautiful! And what lovely traditions you’ve established for your children.
We celebrate Christmas, so each year, to offset the gimmes — you know, the long list of “I Want” — we contribute to a charity. We’ve sponsored a child and bought Christmas gifts, a coat drive, food drive and this year we’re doing Toys for Tots.
The Little Girl is in charge of picking out the gifts, food or toys. She feels powerful and helpful — and has really grown into a generous child… even if I do say so myself. : )
Hi Tina!
Contributing to charity is an excellent holiday tradition that children can carry into adulthood! My children participate in many charitable projects throughout the year at our temple. I’ve tried to bring them up (same as you!) understanding the need to help those less fortunate. And while it’s not charity, I’m so proud that my oldest, now in college, has started to routinely donate blood.
As far as Christmas giving, my son’s soccer team sponsors a family in our community every year and we donate towards gifts. Then the team wraps and delivers the gifts.
Per your example, I think I’ll give my youngest some cash and let her pick out some presents for Toys for Tots. I bet she’d LOVE that!
HI Wendy! What a beautiful post – you certainly have done your job making the holidays special for you children, I can close my eyes and see the beautiful table with lights and presents. So far, I adore all these suggestions but don’t have a specific ritual in place. We give to various things as the schools and church highlight them, but I think it’s time I begin my own tradition for soemthing special! Thanks for sharing everyone!
Hi Jen!
With your boys so young, it’s typical to get caught up in the excitement the buying gifts. (Although I love your Elf on a shelf!) As they get older, and you don’t have to work so hard to surpise them with the perfect toy – because they’ve told you exactly what they want down to the size, style, color, make, model, brand, or their favorite -cash/gift card – you’ll look for other ways to make the holidays special. I think Teri, Regina, and Tina have offered some wonderful suggestions!
Hey, Wendy!
I love how you found a way to help your children enjoy the holidays and appreciate their heritage. So far what the boys enjoy doing the most is making cookie cutter christmas cookies. It’s a recipe that’s been in the Burnham family for years and the boys love that. The cookies are great too!
No other traditions but my youngest has been begging for a Christmas party this year. Ugh! Might have to cave and do it. We’ve been to a lot of parties already but he wants one at our house.
Abbi
Hi Abbi!
I think making cookies together – especially with a secret family recipe handed down through the ages – is a wonderful way to make the holidays special and memorable!
I think parties at the house are fun. But they are a lot of work. Especially with all the holiday stress added in. Good luck!