As soon as Thanksgiving is over, people unashamedly start preparing for Christmas. Christmas trees are decorated, Christmas music plays in every store and on all of the radio stations, giant blow-up Santa Clauses appear outside of houses, and even Starbucks (now infamously) releases their Christmas-themed cups.
While it is impossible and unnecessary to ignore the happy Christmas spirit that December exudes, a lot of people do not celebrate this holiday. Every year, we Jews need to be reminded why Hanukkah is such a great holiday to observe!
1. It is another excuse to get the family together.
Didn't get enough of your extended family during Thanksgiving? No worries, there will be another holiday party one to three weeks later, and this one comes with presents.
2. It always comes before Christmas.
While all of your Christian friends anxiously await December 25, you get to start celebrating earlier. Even better, if Hanukkah is late, you can start before Christmas and finish after!
3. The food.
Finally, a Jewish holiday that does not come with food restrictions! You can pig out on brisket, latkes, doughnuts, or whatever oil-based food your family enjoys for the holiday.
4. As a child, Hanukkah was the only time your parents would trust you with fire.
I do not know why, but there was something exciting about getting to light the Chanukiah as a little kid.
5. The chance to celebrating Judaism.
Hanukkah is the celebration of a miracle that came after a religious victory. It may not be the most significant holiday, but the story is nice and it gives us the opportunity to celebrate being Jewish.
6. Presents.
What was more exciting, getting the presents or discussing them at school the next day?
7. Hanukkah music.
This is the holiday for you if you are a fan of "I Have a Little Dreidel" or "Hanukkah Oh Hanukkah." There are also amazing annual songs by a capella groups such as Six13 and The Maccabeats.
8. It is eight nights long.
This is the best part about Hanukkah. All of the other seven reasons can be multiplied by eight because they apply to every night of the holiday.
