December has arrived, and with it comes the great cultural avalanche of Christmas cheer. Mariah Carey is defrosted, every coffee shop smells like peppermint, and even the guy who hasn’t spoken to you in months is suddenly wishing you “Merry Christmas!” If you’re Jewish, December can feel like walking through a giant Christmas-themed snow globe—but hey, at least there’s glitter.
Living as a Jewish person in a predominantly Christian cultural space during the holiday season comes with its quirks, challenges, and, surprisingly, opportunities. So, grab your dreidel and a plate of latkes; let’s talk about how to navigate December with humor, pride, and maybe even a little eggnog (it’s kosher if you check the label).
1. The Never-Ending “Merry Christmas” Parade
Let’s start with the obvious: the Christmas greetings. They come from friends, coworkers, strangers, and even the barista who wrote your name wrong on the cup. The thing is, most people mean well—they’re just on autopilot. You could correct them every time, but if you did, you’d spend more time explaining your menorah than lighting it.
Instead, embrace the opportunity for some lighthearted responses:
- “Thanks! And a Happy Hanukkah to you!”
- “Actually, I celebrate Hanukkah, but I’ll take your good vibes anyway!”
- Or my personal favorite: “Merry Christmas to you, too! Maybe you can join me later for latkes.”
These moments can be small openings to educate and share your traditions without making it awkward (or at least, not too awkward).
2. School and Workplaces: The Great Christmas Takeover
From Secret Santa gift exchanges to office Christmas parties, it can feel like December is a month-long tribute to all things holly and jolly. Don’t get me wrong—I’m not anti-Christmas. Who doesn’t love free cookies? But it can be exhausting to feel like you’re the only one not wearing an ugly Christmas sweater.
Here’s the trick: own your Jewishness unapologetically. Suggest a Hanukkah addition to the festivities:
- Bring in sufganiyot (jelly donuts) to share. Nobody ever said no to donuts.
- Offer to teach people the dreidel game—it’s gambling for chocolate, so they’ll be on board.
- Or, if all else fails, come to the party with a blue-and-white sweater and declare yourself Team Hanukkah in the ugly sweater contest.
You don’t have to blend in; you can stand out in the best way possible.
3. The Decor Dilemma
Nothing says December like an explosion of Christmas lights and inflatable Santas. But where does that leave you? Should you hang blue-and-white lights? Put up a menorah in the window? Or just sit back and enjoy the free neighborhood light show?
Do what feels authentic to you. If decking the halls with dreidels isn’t your thing, that’s fine. But if you want to bring a little Hanukkah spirit into your space, go for it. It’s your home, your vibe, and your menorah—light it with pride. Bonus: if you’re ever late coming home, you can always say, “Sorry, I had to wait for the shamash to do its thing.”
4. Explaining Hanukkah… Again
If you’re Jewish, chances are you’ve fielded questions like:
- “So, Hanukkah’s basically Jewish Christmas, right?”
- “Why does it change dates every year?”
- “How do you spell it? I’ve seen, like, five different versions.”
Resist the urge to roll your eyes (even if the urge is strong). Instead, lean into the humor of it all.
- “Hanukkah’s not Jewish Christmas—it’s the original oil crisis, but with miracles.”
- “The date changes because the Jewish calendar runs on lunar time. Think of it as daylight saving time but for the moon.”
- “It’s spelled however you want. Hanukkah. Chanukah. Hanuquah. Just add candles, and you’re good.”
These conversations can feel repetitive, but they’re also a chance to showcase the uniqueness of your traditions. Plus, you might just score a few new fans for latkes.
5. The Joy of Owning Your Identity
Despite the Christmas overload, December also reminds us how special it is to be part of a minority culture. While everyone else is caught up in the holiday rush, you’re lighting candles, spinning dreidels, and connecting with traditions that have endured for thousands of years. There’s something beautiful about that.
Being Jewish in a predominantly Christian space can feel isolating at times, but it’s also an opportunity to shine with your menorah and share what makes your identity unique. Whether you teach a coworker about the miracle of the oil or show a friend how to play dreidel, you’re offering a glimpse into a world they might not know.
6. Finding the Humor in It All
At the end of the day, the best way to navigate December is to find the humor in it all. Laughing when your Spotify playlists jump from “Maoz Tzur” to “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” Giggle when someone asks if you’re “allowed” to eat candy canes. Enjoy the free holiday movies, even if there’s a 90% chance it involves a Christmas romance.
Life’s too short to be anything but proud of who you are—and if that means celebrating your eight nights of light in a world of tinsel and mistletoe, so be it. Own it. December might be a little extra for everyone else, but for you, it’s a chance to embrace your traditions with pride and joy, and maybe an extra helping of latkes.
Photo credit: Canva
