There are Starbucks cups in every basic girl's hands, Christmas music playing in every store, and lighting decorations caking the streets. Whether you are in Miami, Florida or Manhattan, NYC you can always tell it is Christmas time. But what about Hanukkah? This year, Hanukkah happens to fall on Christmas Eve, so Jewish-Christmas traditions might be overlooked this year. But for me, it will definitely not. Being a Jewish girl who loves food of basically any kind and wasting time watching America's Next Top Model and Total Divas, this type of holiday is right up my alley.
For my readers who do not know what Jewish-Christmas is, it's basically when all of the Jews flood the movie theaters, splurge on the iTunes store and order a massive amount of Chinese food at their local "hole in the wall" Chinese restaurant. Why the movies and Chinese food you may ask? Well frankly, those are usually the only things that are open on Christmas Eve. While other families are celebrating Christmas near a fireplace and a decked out Christmas tree, Jews are stuffing their faces with spring rolls, (kosher) sesame chicken, and lo mein. The point of this tradition is to chill with your friends, watch a movie in an overpriced theater and chowing down on sleazy Chinese food.
To celebrate this holiday, you must do it with friends. Preferably ones who can pig out and are not picky with movies. Now, picking the restaurant and movie is crucial. The restaurant must have at least three reliable and delicious dishes and must be walking distance to the movie theater. If the restaurant has gross fried rice and is a mile away from the closest movie theater, ditch it. After venmoing your friend 40 dollars for chinese food, you will not want to spend money on an Uber.
The other crucial part of having an epic Jewish-Christmas is picking the perfect movie that all of your friends will want to see. The most annoying thing is falling asleep during a movie. Especially now, when movies are sooo expensive (legit 18 dollars for a ticket, and thats not even including drinks and snacks!).
Buying a movie on iTunes is definitely cheaper, but the experience is what matters. So, make sure that you all agree on a movie that sparks everyones interest. And make sure that if someone does fall asleep, to throw popcorn or leftover chinese food at their face.
So, what is my Jewish guide to celebrating Christmas? It's simple:
1. Gather all of your friends, preferably via group chat because we are millennials and don't call people anymore.
2. Pick a movie that you all agree on watching and not falling asleep during (this is the most crucial step).
3. Decide on a local Chinese restaurant that is close to the movie theater.
4. Eat your hearts out, watch that movie, and enjoy the holiday.
