When it comes to the holiday season, stress levels go up through the roof and up the chimney! Despite all of the “meshugas,” nothing brings family together like the holidays. Here are some of the signs that your family is brought together by Christmas AND Hanukkah. (Needless to say, a Christmas ham won’t be on your table!)

1. There are Stars of David on your Christmas tree

Decorating the tree usually consists of countless angel ornaments, strings of lights, and mini candy canes, but how can you leave out the little blue popsicle sticks covered in glitter shaped like Jewish stars? Unless you have a separate Hanukkah bush, these are a must-hang on the tree!

2. You change the lyrics of common Christmas songs to incorporate Hanukkah

Since Adam Sandler is the only Hanukkah song you’ll hear on the radio, you’ll have to improvise a bit. Changing lyrics like “Jingle Bells” to “Latke Smells” and belting out “All I Want for Christmas is Jew” is simply an essential part of the car ride to the Chinese restaurant on Christmas Eve. My personal favorite, however, is “Bubbe Got Run Over by a Reindeer”.

3. Santa Claus stops at your house first because he loves latkes

After all the sugary cookies from your neighbors, some good ol’ potato pancakes are what Santa is really craving. Oh, and forget the milk because a nice glass of Manischewitz (grape juice, not wine, of course) really hits the spot after a long night of sleigh riding.

4. Your wish list for Santa is pretty bare because you just had eight nights of presents

The elves pretty much gave up at this point. After a gift for each lit candle for eight crazy nights, what more could a kid possibly want? The elves aren’t too fond of Hanukkah, considering it puts them out of business!

5. Between the electric Menorah and lights on the tree, your electricity bill skyrockets

This one pretty much goes without saying. A neighborhood-wide power outage is sure to occur with all of the interfaith family parties going on. For this one, it’s best to go old-school and break out the real candles for the Menorah after the bulbs go out.

6. Your stockings above the fireplace are filled with dreidels and gelt

Stocking stuffers are usually pretty expensive, but nothing compares to emptying your pocket change into a big red sock on the mantel. Let’s be real, the chocolate gelt just doesn’t cut it anymore!

7. Lastly, you have to watch out for Elf on the Shelf AND Mensch on a Bench

Being naughty or nice is really tough when Santa sends the Elf on the Shelf after you, but when the elf takes a break, it’s Mensch’s shift! This tag-team duo is always watching your every move, so you better be careful to make the nice list this year!

It’s truly the most wonderful time of the year when both sides of the family can come together and celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah together. That being said, with menorahs ablaze, dreidel plays, Santa’s sleighs, and the shopping craze, happy holidays!