What the kids want for Christmas?

[MorganGrayson]

Originally Posted by Biggy

i never got gifts as a kid except when i was really young.

in some ways my parents were reform/conservative when it came to the beliefs of judaism, but when it came to giving presents, they were orthodox - go figure.

Biggy...my sister attempted to explain the differences between "Hanukkah presents" and "Christmas presents." Christmas morning causes sensory overload in a kid; the nights of Hanukkah do not. However, I've never believed that "sensible" is an appropriate adjective for a gift for a child. Back in "my sister's marriage: the early years," like a lot of misquided, uninformed putzes who never bothered to look it up, I took the "Jewish Christmas" definition of Hanukkah. (I'll give all the Jews and half the rest time to stop saying "but..." Yes. I know that's dumb. But that's an example of how misinformation is handed down.) Being a family of "Rules? Ve Don't Need No Stinkin' Rules" I use the appropriate wrapping paper and send up a box of whatever I feel like, at the appropriate time. (My only complaint with Hanukkah is that it keeps moving around and sneaking up on me!) My sister and her family go up to Connecticut every year to spend Christmas with siblings, so their kids get to celebrate Hanukkah at home and Christmas on the road.

Ryan...your daughter will be in heaven!