"Oy Humbug"

Back in high school there was a little known California drama in which a Jewish Orange County family took in a troubled non-Jewish teen. And so, by the word of Seth Cohen, Chrismukah was born. I think the Santa hat yarmulkes were my favorite part.

I do love the idea of a fusion of Christmas and Channukah—not because religiously I would observe both, but I’ve found that living in America I really do celebrate a hybrid of the two: Channukah and the Jewish version of Christmas.

I’m not just talking Chinese food and a movie. In fact, I opted for sushi this year.

The world seems to shut down, or at least slow drastically, between Christmas and New Years. The combination of winter cold, shopping exhaustion, and the time off from work in the name of Jesus’ birthday inspires peace, tranquility and a bit of cheer. Quite frankly, I’m ok with it. I’ll take time to shut down and reboot anytime. Human hibernation.

Over the years, I’ve been conditioned to need this rejuvenation at Christmas time. From school vacation to college winter breaks and now a week off from work, Christmas has become equivalent to relaxation.

I love to come home and lay around in pajamas all day long with my family and watch movies from morning until night. I know, it sounds like a lot of wasting days. But the truth is, this kind of time spent is well worth it. After a year of hard work, I needed to give my body a chance to relax, my brain time to recharge.

The best part, despite the fact that I do not gather around a Christmas tree with my family, I do get to see them. With both my brother and sister home from college, all five of us get to be together—a rarity.

This year, Christmas and Channukah coincided! I got to light the menorah with my whole family. Even though Channukah involves a less elaborate tradition than Christmas, it felt homey and comforting to feel the warm glow of candles on all five of our faces.

It was also fun to be able to exchange gifts on Channukah. Unlike my non-Jewish compadres who spend weeks and weeks buying out all of Fifth Avenue, we opt for a more subdued gifting scene. Now not to criticize, but I do think there is something to the way I approach gift-giving season. Rather than aiming to reach a money quota—as in, I will spend $100 on you and you will spend $100 on me, now let me run around like a crazy person making sure I find enough gifts to reach my quota—I like to buy presents with a thought value. And people enjoy receiving a present with thought value.

For my brother, the theater addict, I popped into the Drama Book Shop (40th between Seventh and Eighth Aves). Specialty stores like this are the best. I could have bought anything in the store and he would have been thrilled. I happened to find Playbill’s 2012 calendar, one Playbill each month. He was so excited.

Remember: at the end of the day, it’s just about putting a smile on someone’s face. Personally, I think this is true for birthdays, Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Gift-Because-I-Feel-Like-It Day. You get my drift.

It may be a cheesy line worth of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, but this time of year really is about cherishing moments with your family. Christmas, Channukah, Chrismukah or just some down time around the Winter Solstice, this time of year is made for calm. So sit back, relax and let the New Year roll in.

And maybe, just maybe though, find some time during the year to add a little Christmukah—in the form of a thoughtful gesture, rest and revitalization, or family time—to your life.