What exactly is Chrismukkah?
Chrismukkah is the season between Hanukkah and Christmas celebrated by children and grown-ups from families with both Jewish and Christian members. Chrismukkah is not so much a holiday as it is a festive mix of favorite secular traditions from the December holidays. It's a cross-cultural gumbo of cherished rituals and festivities shared by interfaith families. Chrismukkah is less about mangers or Maccabees, and more about "Frosty the Snowman", "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer", Barry Manilow singing "Jingle Bell Rock", Bing Crosby crooning "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire", Adam Sandler's "Hanukkah Song", Eggnog Latte's at Starbucks, sleigh rides in the snow, chocolate Chanukah gelt loot, spinning the dreidel, twinkling lights, flickering candles, exchanging gifts with family and friends, and seasonal treats like Matzah Pizza, Cranberry Latkes, Kris Kringle Kugel, Kosher Fruitcake and a hot cup of MushuggaNog.
Because the Jewish calander determines when Hanukkah falls, it tends to occur between late November and the end of December. Chrismukkah begins on the 1st night of Hanukkah, or Christmas Eve, whichever comes first and lasts until Christmas day, or the last night of Chanukah, whichever comes later. In 2005, by calendar coincidence, both Christmas Day and Chanukah eve fall on December 25th. Chanukah won't end until January 2nd, therefore, this year Chrismukkah will last 9 days, from December 25th thru January 2nd, 2006.
Chrismukkah is an all-inclusive and non-judgmental holiday - saints and sinners, naughty and nice, red or blue, straight or gay... all may celebrate without guilt, obligation or self-consciousness. All are invited to "Spin the Dreidel" under the mistletoe. For interfaith families with young children Chrismukkah can help teach the kids about their mixed heritage and the rituals of both sides of their family. Most of all, children (and grown-ups too) like Chrismukkah because there are more presents! You may read other people's Chrismukkah stories here.
And if all this puts you in a Chrismukkah mood, please visit the Chrismukkah store, and the Chrismukkah/CafePress gift store for blank Chrismukkah cards, ornaments, mugs, T-shirts, kids apparel and other gift ideas - available though our partnership with "Cafe Press."
Why is Chrismukkah relevant now more than ever before?
According to the most recent United Jewish Communities (UJC) survey, there are about 5.2 million Jewish people living in America today. Just under half of those Jews who married within the past few years married non-Jewish spouses. Furthermore, in the western United States, 42% of all married Jews are now intermarried to non-Jews. Nationally, 1/3rd of all married Jews are married to non-Jews. Oy, that's a lot of mixed marriages! Add to these millions, interfaith partners who are unmarried, the children of interfaith mariages of prior generations and the millions of people who are either half-Jewish or have a Jewish heritage. In other words, there are a heck of a lot of us who celebrate bits and pieces of both Christmas and Hanukkah.
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