Thursday, November 12, 2009

The Jewish Mama Meme Maker

Oh thank you thank you, Home-shuler! I needed a post for today and yours is just perfect!

A Jewish Holiday Meme

One menorah, or several? Hillel or Shammai? (just kidding about that part)
We have several chanukiyot. It seems like every year the kids bring home one made from a block of wood and metal nuts. The candles don't fit into those metal things, honestly, people. I know they seem like a good idea. And then I have to figure it out for the whole week...cuz the kids really really want to use the ones they've made and how dare I pooh-pooh their bee-yoo-tee-ful creations!?

Do you buy your children gifts for every night of Chanukah?
We've decided not to give any gifts at all, beginning this year, for Chanukah. The kids will get gifts from grandparents and assorted other people. But not from us. We've decided to give all gifts at Purim instead. It's not only motivated by a desire to get out of the commercial ridiculousness of the season but also the reality that we have November and February birthdays. Enough is enough in gift-land!

Do you and your spouse/partner or any other adults in your life exchange gifts?
Not usually. I do have a birthday at the end of December and usually get a gift...

Special family chanukah traditions?
We eat latkes. We decorate the house. We set up a table in the living room with all the Chanukiyot. As the kids get older, I'm hopeful for some traditions that involve going out and doing for others. They go to bed awfully early now. We also take a "dreidel tag" which is a tradition at our congregation to buy gifts for kids in need through the Jewish Children's Bureau. I usually do a whole big Chanukah blog party too...giveaways and all that.

Latkes or sufganiyot? If latkes, sour cream or applesauce?
Both. Both. 
The more the better, I always say! Last year I made my own baked sufganiyot.  

Favorite chanukah book?
Potato Pancakes All Around by Marilyn Hirsh. I think it might be out of print but I love the peddler who teaches them to make potato latkes from a crust of bread. It's like a Chanukah stone soup!

Do you actually play dreidl? If so, what do you use for counters?
No, not really. But I vote for m-n-m's. Everything's better with m-n-m's.

What relationship, if any, do you have with Christmas and all things Christmas-y?
None.

If you're reading, you're tagged!

Day 12 of NaBloPoMo and I haven't missed one yet!

6 comments:

Harry said...

Baked suygniyot? Really? Isn't the point to eat food fried in oil?

John Sklar said...

I forgot how much I hide from the holiday cheer of Christmas. At least now that I'm not working I don't have to go to xmas parties.

Unknown said...

I cannot be the only family member not to comment. I love that many of the decorations are the ones we used when you were little.

Phyllis Sommer said...

Okay, this is the funniest post - I don't think I've ever gotten comments from all three of you at once!

Yes, Harry, I agree - baked seemed weird. But they tasted good. We had fried latkes to make up for it.

Dad - yes, I am glad no one ever invites me to Christmas parties.

Mom - it is one of my favorite parts of decorating - i forgot to mention it!

Reiza said...

Thank you. By posting this, you gave me fodder for the blog on a day when I couldn't find any inspiration.

I loved reading your answers. Hmmm...baked suygniyot? That sounds like something I'd like to try.

I played along too. Here ya go:
http://offthespaceship.blogspot.com/2009/11/jewish-meme.html

PepGiraffe (FrumeSarah's sis) said...

I don't mind being invited to Christmas parties, I mind being invited to "holiday" parties where there is a Christmas tree and Santa shows up . . . but it's okay because some of the ornaments are dreidles.