The holidays can be rather stressful for many people. There's shopping to get done, presents to wrap, budgets to make, etc. However, being Jewish adds some additional stressors. My family and I went to several different stores to look for Hanukkah decorations. Many didn't really have anything, and those that did, it was a very small display. I'm talking one table worth of decorations.

I realize that Christmas is a big deal, and there may not be too many people who celebrate Hanukkah, but for those that do, it's kind of irritating.

I'm serious, we went to five or six stores and only ended up with a handful of decorations. In one store everything was 50% off for Hanukkah items. It was a good deal, but it was also kind of funny because my guess is that they just wanted to get rid of the stuff. The other thing I found funny was that one store has applesauce with their Hanukkah stuff. I get it, we use applesauce with our latkes, but seriously? Other people eat applesauce too, you don't have to place it in your Hanukkah display.

One part that I have a hard time with, is when I see Hanukkah items turned into Christmas items. No, I don't want a stocking, we don't do stockings, that's for Christmas. No, I don't want an ornament, I don't have a tree, that's for Christmas. That's actually one of the biggest misconceptions.

Hanukkah is not the Jewish version on Christmas.

I think a lot of people just might not understand what Hanukkah exactly is. Which I get, that's okay. However, merging Hanukkah with your holiday is not okay with me. Christmas is so mainstream and everything about it is exciting, but I'd like to keep my holiday separate from yours, please.

In my case, I actually do celebrate both, but in different households. Hanukkah with my Mom, and Christmas with my Dad. Growing up the two holidays would blend together, but as I've gotten older and learned more, I know the meaning behind both in entirely different, and we are celebrating for different reasons. In simple terms, Hanukkah is celebrating the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days. Hanukkah is the festival of lights.

I understand that the holidays and the celebration aren't about the decorations. However, to have to go to so many stores and just finding a small hidden section is quite frustrating and disappointing. I feel as though my holiday is being over-looked and forgotten. How many times do you hear "Merry Christmas" in the month of December? Ever hear 'Happy Hanukkah'? Or at least 'Happy Holidays'? I'm not saying this to be angry or rude. It is what it is, and that's okay. It would just feel nice to be considered. I always remember to say 'Happy Holidays', because you never know what someone's beliefs are and what they're celebrating this time of year.

I suppose all I want is for people to take the time to just remember that there is more than just Christmas. I want to hear 'Happy Holidays' and I want to go to the store and find fun Hanukkah decorations to make my home a little more festive.

So to my fellow Jewish people out there, I get it.

As I light my Menorah, I leave you with the blessing/prayer. (Which can be said differently as there are a few different translations.)

Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to kindle the Hanukkah lights.
Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has performed miracles for our ancestors at this seasons of the year in days gone by.
Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us and enabled us to reach this season.

Happy Hanukkah. Happy Holidays.