Half-Jewish & Chrismukkah

The Jewish religion commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem through an eight day, eight night, festival known as Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights. Unlike Christmas, Hanukkah does not fall at the same time each year. Hanukkah may begin anywhere from late November to late December. During Hanukkah, lights are kindled each night in increasing numbers until eight lights shine on the eighth night.

Christmas, on the other hand, is generally celebrated by Christians on the 25th of December each year and marks the birth of Jesus Christ. Traditionally, gifts are exchanged by loved ones on Christmas Day.

In some years, the holidays overlap while in other years they are separated by days or weeks. Years ago, a family either celebrated Hanukkah or Christmas, but not both. Which holiday you celebrated was dictated by your religious affiliation. While both Jews and Christians continue to honor their religious beliefs and customs, many Jews and Christians now choose to celebrate both holidays in a “Chrismukkah” celebration.

Marriage outside your own faith was once strictly forbidden; however, inter-faith marriages are much more common in today’s modern world. As a result, many people have both a Jewish and a Christian parent making it almost necessary to combine the two holidays.

Inter-faith marriage partners also find that celebrating both holidays allows each partner to retain their faith without pressuring the other to alter theirs. For Jews married to Christians, or children of inter-faith couples, this often means shopping for presents that reflect the beliefs and traditions of both religions.

If you find yourself trying to select a present to give in celebration of the mixed holidays, try buying presents that are tailor made to celebrate both traditions. Consider the following top eight Chrismukkah gifts for 2011.

1. Hanukkah Tree Topper. A Star of David tree topper is the perfect way to blend both religions and both holidays. The Star of David can shine brightly in honor of the Jewish faith above the traditional Christian Christmas tree as a symbol of your Jewish/Christian family.

2. Menorahments. Try a catchy menorahment with a Chrismukkah saying like “Merry Mazeltov” or one that depicts a menorah with Christmas candy canes where the traditional Hanukkah candles are found.

3. A Chrismukkah Pet Gift. The family pet should certainly not be left out of the combined Chrismukkah holidays! For the pet lover in your blended family, try an adorable doggie t-shirt that has both Santa Claus and a Menorah on the t-shirt.

4. Chrismukkah Coasters. Who can’t use a set of holiday tile coasters? Coasters make the perfect gift which can be used year after year for holiday entertaining. Try giving a set that features both a Christmas snowman and a menorah in celebration of Chrismakkuh.

5. Chrismukkah Tree T-Shirts. For the children who celebrate both Hanakkuh and Christmas, a Chrismukkah T-Shirt is perfect! A Star of David Christmas tree emblazoned on the front of a T-Shirt, for example, is the perfect way to announce that your child celebrates both holidays.

6. Star of David Cross & Pendant. For a more elegant gift, a beautiful and symbolic two tone gold pendant that combines the star of David with a Christian Cross honors both the Jewish and Christian religions.

7. Inter-Faith Greeting Cards: Send respectful holiday greetings to your inter-faith friends that celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas, instead of generic “Happy Holidays” cards. They'll thank you for it.

8. My Two Holidays: A Hanukkah and Christmas Story. This well-written children’s book helps the child in your family understand both holidays as well as the meaning behind them while making it o.k. to celebrate both.

For more Chrismukkah and inter-faith holiday gift ideas, visit the Half-Jewish and Chrismukkah Section of ShopForHannukahGifts.com