As a Jewish mother, navigating the holiday season through the lens of both Hanukkah and Christmas has been quite the journey, especially alongside my husband and our two energetic boys. Our family isn’t deeply religious, so the holidays revolve primarily around food, family bonding, traditions, and yes, the thrill of gifts. The challenge, however, is managing my children’s relentless enthusiasm for Santa Claus, who they would eagerly hop in a car with if he offered them Hanukkah gelt.
My experiences learning to celebrate Christmas with my Jewish upbringing have been a mix of confusion, humor, and enlightenment. For the mamas out there who are new to the festive cheer (and might be thinking, oy vey), here are some essential do’s and don’ts for navigating Christmas while keeping your sense of humor intact:
- Don’t Play the Grinch: Shopping for both Hanukkah and Christmas gifts for my toy-obsessed children is enough to make me consider a tech-free lifestyle (except for essentials like air conditioning and, of course, my beloved Chardonnay). By Christmas morning, my boys excitedly rip through their gifts with an intensity that can be daunting. Each year, I propose a family vacation instead of the holiday chaos at home, and every year I’m met with disbelief. So, let it go. Grinches never have the last laugh.
- Don’t Forget Santa’s Role in Discipline: “I’m letting Santa know you didn’t brush your teeth!” or “Santa doesn’t approve of tattling!”—these phrases have become essential tools for maintaining order in our household during the holiday season. Thanks to Santa, I can overlook the post-present chaos on Christmas morning.
- Do Visit Santa at the Mall: Taking the kids to meet Santa is a guaranteed source of laughter, as they say the most unexpected things to the jolly figure perched in front of the stores.
- Don’t Overexplain Santa’s Arrival: When addressing questions about Santa, keep it simple. The last thing you want is to frighten your children with complicated answers, like “Will Santa come into my room?” Let’s just say I hope not!
- Do Invest in a Real Christmas Tree: A real tree is more eco-friendly, often comes with community recycling programs, and smells heavenly. Plus, it provides motivation to take it down before Passover rolls around.
- Do Allow the Kids to Decorate: Sure, the tree will look a bit chaotic, with ornaments placed only at their reach, but the joy on their faces is worth it. You can always rearrange things later when they’re at school.
- Do Something Charitable: With the emphasis on receiving during the holidays, it’s important for kids to learn the value of giving, too.
- Don’t Put Gifts Under the Tree Too Early: Once, I thought it was clever to arrange presents in advance, but my husband rightly pointed out that I needed to hide them so the kids believe Santa brought them.
- Do Accept That Santa Gets the Glory: Even though you do all the hard work, it’s comforting to see your children idolizing a figure who embodies goodness.
- Don’t Forget the Stockings: These were once my favorite part of Christmas, but now they feel like an extra chore. One day, I hope to find a vacation ticket tucked inside mine!
- Do Leave Cookies and Milk for Santa: And don’t forget to indulge yourself once the kids are asleep! You’ll need the sugar boost to tackle all of Santa’s tasks.
- Don’t Use the Same Wrapping Paper for Santa’s Gifts: This rookie mistake led to my son questioning, “Mommy, how does Santa have the same wrapping paper?” It’s all about the pixie dust!
- Do Celebrate Your Triumph: When December 26th rolls around, take a moment to acknowledge that you made it through Christmas! You deserve a quiet “Mazel Tov” as you haul out the trash and recycling.
As I wrap up this guide for Jewish mothers celebrating Christmas, I leave you with a thought: which is more tedious—scraping wax from a menorah after eight nights or dismantling a Christmas tree? Don’t dwell on it; both tasks are equally grueling.
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Summary
This guide provides practical and humorous tips for Jewish mothers celebrating Christmas while balancing family traditions and the excitement surrounding the holiday. It emphasizes the importance of creating joyful memories, managing expectations, and embracing the spirit of giving during the festive season.