@Malcontent wrote:
@Shanus
My eldest son (Roman Catholic) married a Jewish woman. They celebrate both holidays, however my Dear DIL and myself we buy outside of QVC for the Jewish holidays because of much better selection for everyone.
I actually made wrapping paper in the early years for Hanukka. The grandkids never complained because loot is loot. lol And yes, they’re all good kids in both faiths, but hey, presents are presents no matter how they’re wrapped.
Peae and Blessings to You and Yours.
@Malcontent I definitely don't rely on Q for Hanukkah anything...even Homegoods has an ample supply of napkins,decor, "gelt" (the chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil), etc.
When my DS married our DIL, they were married by a rabbi who they met with them for months before the wedding. His "take" on a mixed marriage is that the children need one primary religion to not be confused. My son was firm before getting engaged that his children needed to be raised Jewish and my DIL loved him enough to agree. My DIL maintains her religion w/ a tiny tabletop tree and still attends mass. The Girls are old enough now to understand that Mom isn't Jewish and she celebrates Christmas, Easter, etc,
The GDs have been raised Jewish, but when they got a bit older, of course they were around DILs family and learned about Christmas. Her family gave each child a small Christmas gift since all their cousins were opneing their gifts, but they still knew it was a holiday they did not celebrate.
Jewish holidays are based on events in history like the escape from Egypt (Passover) and Hanukkah is a celebration of the building of a temple where a "lantern" had enough oil to last a day, but burned for 8 days...hence the miracle of the 8 days of Hanukkah.
Growing up in the south in the 50's and 60's, there were very few Jewish people here, but they managed to build a small temple and as more jewish people came, larger synagogues were built. Now, there are very many Jewish families in my area....the 3-5 major universities and famous hospitals brought many here, as well as the beautiful weather and the area itself.
Hanukkah is not as much celebrated with gifts as it is teaching the meaning of the holiday/history, lighting the candles, special declicious foods associated with Hanukkah, etc.
IMHO, being exposed to Christmas and gentile friends as a child, Christmas has now become too commercial. The true meaning has taken second place to gift giving, decor, etc. I studied the old and new testament in college and I feel this shift is misleading and for commercial gain.
My wish for hanukkah items on QVC is not the items for sale, but rather the recognition that Hanukkah does exist...maybe a menorah (the holder of the 8 candles), the candles themselves and maybe a few gift bags.
Yes, I'm in a minority, but each year facing malls decorated before thanksgiving and santa areas for photo ops left my kids out completely. Such is life.
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