“Festive Fusion: Navigating the Joys and Challenges of Overlapping Christmas and Hanukkah”

Lillian Weiss-Pires, aged 8, expressed her affection for Christmas because it provides a cozy atmosphere. She delights in adorning the tree and unwrapping presents.

“I like to envision Santa entering and dropping off the gifts,” she explained.

This third grader resides with her two mothers in Oakland, California, and has a fondness for Hanukkah as well.

“Hanukkah is a time to truly come together with friends and family,” she stated. “Plus, there’s much more to eat, which I absolutely enjoy!”

A festival steeped in European heritage

The joint celebration of Jewish and Christian holidays is commonly labeled as Chrismukkah. In 2024, Hanukkah will commence at sunset on Christmas day, a fairly rare occurrence.

Chrismukkah traces its origins to the 19th century — a period when German Jews, some increasingly integrating into the broader German Christian society — began to incorporate Christmas customs in a non-religious manner. The celebration was initially termed Weihnukkah (“Weihnachten” translates to “Christmas” in German.)

“The assimilation indicated social acceptance, as well as economic and political integration,” noted journalist James Wald in a 2016 article for The Times of Israel. “Conversely, it resulted in a decrease in the Jewish populace.”

In the United States, Chrismukkah has gained significance in popular culture over the last couple of decades, particularly after being highlighted in a December 2003 episode of the television series The O.C. One of the lead characters, Seth Cohen, observed the holiday as a method to acknowledge his mixed Jewish and Protestant heritage. The O.C. subsequently featured annual Chrismukkah specials.

An Oakland Chrismukkah

With Christmas and Hanukkah coinciding this year, the holiday baking activities in the Weiss-Pires household might be a bit more tumultuous than usual. Festive gingerbread adheres to the countertop, while the rugelach — a delectable Jewish treat for the holidays — inadvertently went into the oven lacking the cinnamon sugar topping.

“Typically, you apply it at the start, but we can do it now while it’s sizzling a bit,” remarked Lynda Pires, one of Lillian’s mothers, as she dusted cinnamon sugar over the warm rugelach and returned the treats to the oven to complete baking.

Intertwined holiday customs run deep within this family. Pires shared that she was brought up in a Catholic environment.

“Crucifixes were everywhere in my home — all thanks to my Brazilian father!” she exclaimed.

However, she grew up in New York City celebrating both the Nativity of Jesus and the Festival of Lights.

“I cherished attending Hanukkah parties,” Pires reminisced. “My friend’s mother baked the finest chocolate cake.”

Lillian’s other parent, Bessie Weiss, identifies as Jewish. She mentioned that she has constantly celebrated Hanukkah.   

“ We would light the candles each night, and in certain years, there would be small presents,” she recalled about her family’s traditional approach to the holiday while growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Nevertheless, she mentioned that she has also learned to appreciate Christmas throughout the years.

“All the Jews in my parents’ neighborhood would go Christmas caroling!” she recalled. 

Navigating the day

Currently, Christmas melodies continue to play a significant role in this family’s holiday practices, ranging from “Jingle Bells” to “Last Christmas.” (Lillian favors the Ariana Grande rendition; her mothers lean towards George Michael.) They also take pleasure in singing Hanukkah tunes, such as “Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel.”

That said, the comprehensive Chrismukkah celebrations can occasionally be perplexing — particularly in a year like this one when there’s no interval between the holidays.

“Whenever I wish to wear something festive, I tend to choose what’s nearest in terms of the holiday,” Lillian mentioned regarding her wardrobe choices during past holiday seasons. “But I’m uncertain if I should go for a Christmas or Hanukkah theme now.”

Her mothers inform her that having Christmas and Hanukkah on the same day makes it simpler to blend and combine elements.

“Alright, so, blue shiny pants adorned with the Hanukkah symbol,” Lillian said, envisioning the perfect Holiday 2024 outfit. “And a Christmas sweater.”

Copyright 2024 NPR