Christmas…it’s the most wonderful time of the year. The whole country seems to be celebrating.
But what if you don’t celebrate? What if Christmas is just another cold day in December? I love the spirit of the season – the decorations, the parties, the good cheer. I love that for one month, people are a little kinder, a little more generous, a little more patient. Yet there are pros and cons to being a non-Christian during the yuletide season.
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Being a Jew in December means…
I save money by not buying a Christmas tree or holiday decorations and lights.
BUT
The kids complain that our house is the dreariest on the block. Those Hanukkah candles burn down pretty fast.
On years when Hanukkah is ridiculously early, I am done my shopping before most Christians even start. That would mean this year. I’m finding it a little difficult not to gloat about that.
BUT
By mid-December, I have to fight through the crowds at Target just to buy a pack of toilet paper. For the love of God, people, I just need some Charmin!
I feel no need to bake twenty dozen cookies, which will inevitably end up on my hips.
BUT
I don’t have any cookies in my house. Bummer.
I have no use for that creepy Elf on a Shelf. If Santa doesn’t visit, there is no way that Elf boy is taking one step into my home with his freaky footless self.
BUT
My kids have no external motivation for good behavior. Other than the fact that it’s expected of them.
There’s less commercialism. Despite the prevailing belief, Hanukkah is not the Jewish Christmas. It’s a minor holiday. We buy our kids small gifts for each night, and one night we adopt a family in lieu of receiving gifts.
BUT
My kids are constantly being told how lucky they are to get eight times the gifts. Which they know is not true by a long shot.
They may be small, but Matt and I get all the credit for the gifts. We don’t have to let the big guy give our kids the gifts they want the most.
BUT
If the gifts suck, we get all the blame.
People are always wishing me Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. I get Christmas cards with warm wishes and photos of smiling friends and family.
BUT
There is no BUT. Just because it’s not my holiday doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy all the festivities and good will that accompany it.
I’d have to be a Grinch not to catch the spirit of the season. I am many things, but a Grinch is not one of them. Haven’t you seen my flash mob?
I did my own thing with the Finish the Sentence Friday post today. The prompts were holiday/Christmas related, so I think it counts. If you want to read posts from bloggers who followed directions, click here or here or here or here or here.
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