The pumpkin spice craze is on its way out, the amount of apple picking Instagrams is lowering and the excitement of Halloween is over. Luckily for most, however, that sadness is replaced with peppermint, jingle bells and Christmas music. While I will admit that Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer rarely gets old and I love a candy cane just as much as the next, when it comes down to it, there is no Christmas tree in my house, no elf on the shelf and no cookies and milk being left out.

As much as we all hate to admit it, the spooky month of October is now over and we’re on to the next best thing (for most): Christmas. While I am fully aware that the majority of people I choose to surround myself with celebrate this holiday, I find myself questioning if anyone realizes that there are Jews around and that they too, have a winter holiday. Although I could rant for a while about how no, a Hanukkah bush is not really a thing and that Hanukkah Harry is just some recently made up guy, I decided to talk about the positives of being a Jew during this festive time.

For one, when it comes to decorating for Hanukkah, while it is a challenge, it's also extremely rewarding. Walking through Target and being able to spot that one pack of window stickers with menorahs is the equivalent of waking up to a new puppy on Christmas (or close to it). Once you find those stickers, you use them to the best of your ability each and every year and make sure to never, ever, ever, throw them out, unless of course the time has come and you have no other choice.

Additionally, and probably what you are all thinking, we Jews don’t get one day of presents, we get eight, and if your luckily enough to have a family big enough like mine, it turns into about 12 nights. 12 nights of laughter, family, love and of course, presents.

Also, can’t forget to mention latkes, they’re basically french fries on steroids and taste better than anything I can think of. Quick shout out to my mom for hers – yum, yum, yum.

So yes, while I do wish that I could embrace the red and green take over of November to January to its fullest extent, I happily do so in my own way. I partake in the ugly sweater parties and am more than happy to do secret Santa with my friends - but deep down I know that hey, this whole “Jew Life” isn’t so bad.