From: dolson@crl.ucsd.edu (Mark Dolson)
Newsgroups: misc.kids
Subject: Thanks and Summary of Hannukah/Christmas ideas
Date: 16 Dec 1992 19:52:20 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: cs.utexas.edu

Note to Paula B: I'm trying the email route.  Could you let me know if
you see this?  Thanks!

I have to thank everyone that took the time to email me about their
Hannukah/Christmas traditions and stories.  I intend to reply to
each one individually, but I only get to log on to my husband's account
for a short time each day, so I am only slowly making my way through
the replies.  I have received such wonderful, warm letters, full of
lots of great ideas.

Besides the traditional food, songs, games, menorah lighting, and
gifts, here are some other suggestions:

Video Tapes:
-Shalom Sesame: Chanukah (most often recommeded)
-Chanukah at Bubbe's

Children's book's (for very young ones)
dePaoli, _My First Chanukkah_(I bought this one, it's a board book)
Gertz, Susan - _Hanukkah and Christmas at My House_ (not sure of the
     age range on this one)

Many references were suggested for my information about things Jewish.
I have checked three out of the library so far.

Several families made homemade decorations every year.  Paper chains
seemed to be especially popular.  One family decorated their own
plates every year, which were then filled with treats.

Interfaith families who celebrate both holidays didn't seem to find
it a problem for the children, although many parents (and, especialy,
extended families) were the ones who were struggling.  I got a few
lovely letters pointing out that Jewish and Christian holidays do
have connections with each other - after all, Jesus celebrated all
the Jewish holidays, and some took care to make this connection
explicit to their children.

A couple of people decorate different areas of the house for the
different holidays - one felt it was appropriate that the dining
room have the Hannukah decorations, as the food is central to
many Jewish celebrations : ).  (My husband got a kick out of that
one)

I got many suggestions regarding my difficulty with the latkes, many
of them conficting (ie, use a food processor vs whatever you do,
don't use a food processor).  One person suggested I just get the
frozen kind and be done with it.

I found it interesting the misconceptions people talked about having
as children about the other's holidays: one Jewish person assumed that
Christian children only got one present at Christmas, one Christian
person thinking Jewish children got 8 BIG presents. : ).

At this point, we are celebrating 2 of the nights of Chanukah (I guess
I can spell it any old way I want, from what I can tell) with Jewish
families (one at our house, one at theirs), which I am really looking
forward to.  I have so many ideas now, we just have to decide which
ones to use!  I also feel reassured about celebrating both, especially
since neither of our extended families has any problems with it (and
both are 3000 miles away!).  I think it may get a little confusing 
with Christmas in the middle of Chanukah, but since Emily is only 21
months, it won't be as meaningful to her this year anyway (though she
loves the Christmas tree and wants to spend all her time near it!)

Thanks again SO MUCH for all the support and ideas.  This is the first
time a post of mine has gotten through, and I am really moved.
I think misc.kids is
WONDERFUL.  It is such a support to me, as a (mostly) stay at home
mom.

Happy Holidays to everyone!!

Laura Dolson  dolson@crl.ucsd.edu
Mom to 21 mo. old Emily

Newsgroups: misc.kids