December is finally upon us which means people across America are counting down the days of shopping left til Christmas to buy presents for their loved ones and perhaps corporate holiday gifts for their clients and employees. But you’ve probably been well aware of its fast approach by the decorations that have been flocking store fronts for well over a month now. I had my first decoration sighting on October 30th this year. But if you don’t happen to be a part of the whopping 2% of the American population that call themselves Jews, you may not be aware that the annual gift-giving Jewish holiday Hanukkah (or Chanukah) is already well under way.
Yes tonight marks the third of the eight crazy nights that comprise this Festival of Lights. Commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem from the Maccabees in the 2nd century BCE and the miracle of one day’s worth of oil burning for eight straight, Hanukkah is actually a relatively minor Jewish holiday in terms of its religious significance. Its significance has mainly grown instead because of Jewish families wanting to prevent their children from feeling left out of Christmas gift giving.
We live in a so-called secular country so whether you celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah or Kwanzaa or Festivus you’re probably safest just sending politically correct “End-of-the-Year Holiday Gifts,” so no one has to feel left out.
Wishing a safe and happy holidays to all!