Finding Harmony at Hanukkah and Christmas
Enjoying your respective holidays together doesn’t have to be as complicated as it might seem. The rich histories and fun traditions of December can become part of the story the two of you are now sharing.
Dates and Background
Hanukkah:
The evening of December 25, 2024, through January 2, 2025.
Hanukkah is also known as “The Feast of Dedication” and sometimes “The Festival of Lights.” That’s because it commemorates a time when the Jewish people (through a small family known as the Maccabees) took back the Temple and rededicated it to God. The light of the hanukkiah is a central symbol of the holiday. We remember the miracle of Jewish survival!
Christmas:
December 25 (always!)
Christmas is probably the most anticipated holiday of the year for Christians. Different traditions have been born out of different parts of the story: for example, presents are given because of the wise men who brought gifts to the newborn Messiah and his mother; lights are hung to remember the bright star that shone on the first Christmas night.
Dinner
With Hanukkah starting on the same night as Christmas Day this year, you might be wondering how you can celebrate both. We can’t answer every question, but we can take the stress out of your menu planning! Here are some recipes to fill your table—they’re reminiscent of celebrations from both sides.
Wondering how to celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas?
The Best of Both Guide
contains ten short and sweet activities to help you enjoy this season. This is a guide you can come back to year after year!
For Kids
The holidays can be an important time to pass down what’s important to your family. When the two of you come from different traditions, the mashup can actually be fun! So, five moms (who are all part of intermarried families) gathered together to guide you and your kiddos through a simple Hanukkah celebration. Let’s talk dreidel, all things oil, and how to light the menorah together!
Harmonizing the December Holidays
You don’t have to let December’s cultural clash set the two of you at odds with each other. Sometimes, when we dig a little deeper into two seemingly different things, we can find similarities. Read more to discover some key commonalities between Christmas and Hanukkah.
Learn More
Check out this perspective from our friends at Inherit! They’ve written about how, for interfaith couples, Hanukkah and Christmas can put the differences between us and our partners on even greater display.
When more than one tradition is present in the home, emotions can get stirred up over how holidays “should” be observed. It’s not your fault; it is just the clashing of dissimilar cultures.
The story of Jesus’ birth might seem foreign for Jewish people; this article by Jews for Jesus explores how it might be closer to Jewish history than we think. A closer reading of the original accounts reveals a story which is deeply Jewish.