CHRISMUKKAH IS HERE

​December holidays unite! I typically celebrate the eight-day event that is Chanukah and all that comes along with it: candles, dreidels, jelly doughnuts, latkes, and more.

​But honestly I’m one of those people who also love Christmas festivities—that magical feeling at the end of the year—the twinkling lights, the decorations, the jingle bells… It all makes for a wonderful tradition.
 
Between being loyal to my roots and being a guest at the holiday that is Christmas, I feel fortunate that December is always a month full of celebrations.
 
But it is even more magical when Chanukah and Christmas overlap—it gives it a spark. They call it Chrismukkah, a pop-culture holiday.

​This year, Chanukah’s first candle and Christmas Eve fall on the same day. Wow. This doesn’t happen often.
 
And when these two holidays unite, I say it’s a good reason to have a massive year-end celebration. And if we already have an official name, Chrismukkah, that combines the two, then let’s unite the celebrations of both holidays. Whether or not religious beliefs are important in celebrating holidays doesn’t matter. What does matter is the activity that is at the center of both holidays—spending time with loved ones.
 
What’s the best way to combine Chanukah and Christmas? Eight days of gift giving, spending time with family, and a mixture of traditional Chanukah and Christmas foods. Perhaps Santa Claus himself will deliver the last of the presents. When Chanukah and Christmas overlap, Chrismukkah makes for a fun festival that unites families with blended religions. It’s the ultimate holiday.

I’ve just returned from New York and—oh boy—let me tell you something. Chrismukkah is in full swing, especially the jelly doughnuts. It seems like jelly doughnuts have even replaced the famous New York hot dogs these days.
 
Wherever you are, step up and bring your traditions to the table and the party.
 
Now that’s what I call a blended holiday!
 
I wish you a Merry Chanukah and a Happy Christmas.
 
Or let’s say, Happy Chrismukkah.

Michelle