The world is quiet, not many cars are on the streets, lights are off in most shops and restaurants. Neighborhoods are filled with colorful lights and blow up Santas. There is snow on the ground, it’s a winter wonderland. It’s Christmas day.

Jews all around the world celebrate Christmas their own ways. Just because Jews don’t celebrate Christmas doesn’t mean we don’t make Christmas plans. We don’t dwell on the fact that we don’t celebrate Christmas, we make it our own holiday.

In my family, and in many Jewish families, we sleep as late as we can and then we see a movie. Movie theaters are some of the only places open on Christmas, and us Jews appreciate that. After seeing our Christmas day movie, we hang out at our house, play games, bundle up and hit the snow. At night, we get Chinese food. That’s a Jewish Christmas classic.

On Christmas Eve, when kids make cookies to leave for Santa, my brother and I make cookies, too. We do it every year. We make cookies for any other reason than giving them to Santa, though. We usually make cookies and bring them to our friends or grandparents house. Or as a joke, we leave them on the kitchen table with a note saying they are for “Hanukkah Harry.”

To my Christmas celebrating friends: no need to say, “it must suck to not celebrate Christmas.” It doesn’t suck at all. People who celebrate Christmas say it’s a time for family to come together. Well, I guess it means that for my family, too. Christmas is one of the only days all year that my family is able to spend the entire day together, no distractions. I love Christmas for that. Christmas can be great for all religions if we try and make it that way.

Merry Christmas to all, Christian or not! I hope everyone enjoys the day and time spent with whoever you consider family!