| The Jewish holiday, Hannukah, is one of the most | | | | traditional use of blue, silver, and white. Hanukkah |
| important of all Jewish holidays, and coincides with | | | | trees are becoming more popular and are |
| the Christian holiday, Christmas, and you can | | | | normally decorated in the traditional colors with a |
| easily have a blended Hannukah party of your | | | | star of David on top. |
| own. Hannukah means "Dedication" and was first | | | | More and more the traditional celebration of |
| celebrated as a rededication of the Jewish holy | | | | Hanukkah is being blended with Christmas, and if |
| temple after Antiochus IV desecrated it. When | | | | you wish to pass on and retain certain traditions |
| the Maccabees were triumphant over the Seleucid | | | | of both faiths, it is important to ease the |
| Empire, the Jews wanted to cleanse and | | | | transition with a blend of traditional activities, gifts, |
| rededicate their holy temple. Olive oil was | | | | and foods. Make it easy for everyone by writing |
| particularly precious and used in such rituals, and | | | | down and handing out things such as the |
| there was only enough consecrated olive oil left | | | | traditional blessings used when lighting the |
| to fuel the temple's eternal flame for a single day | | | | menorah. Though you may know the blessings, it |
| at most. They knew it would take eight days for | | | | will make it much easier for the ones who do not, |
| more oil to be prepared, but began the ceremony | | | | to have them written down, and make it much |
| in faith, and they saw a miracle occur when that | | | | less awkward for those who don't, if everyone |
| single day's oil burned for eight days, until they | | | | receives a written copy. |
| had more oil to continue their ritual. | | | | If you begin planning early, let everyone know |
| For this reason, it is important to perform the | | | | they will be attending a blended celebration, and |
| ritual lighting of the menorah, when celebrating | | | | make sure everyone knows what to expect, |
| Hanukkah. Traditional celebrations normally include | | | | blended Hanukkah and Christmas celebrations can |
| eating, the exchange of gifts or presents of | | | | be a true joy and time of embracing, rather than |
| money or candy coins, recitation of blessings, and | | | | rejecting differences. Blended celebrations can be |
| lighting the menorah. Decorations usually include a | | | | a true joy for everyone. |