20 Ways to Celebrate Hanukkah When Christmas Is Everywhere

Timing is everything, and no holiday knows this better than Hanukkah. The lovely Jewish Festival of Lights, which starts December 2 in 2018, can get lost in the post-Thanksgiving weeks dominated by the Christmas holiday. Though Hanukkah celebrates Jewish revolt against Greco-Syrians who tried to assimilate them rather than allow them to maintain their identity and traditions, it's often flippantly referred to as the Jewish Christmas. Nope.

Focus on Hanukkah until it ends on the evening of December 8 by first reminding everyone that the menorah is not a Christmas light.

Retell the story of Hanukkah, too. Make sure kids whose families celebrate Hanukkah know the story of the Israelites at least as well as the ending to "Frosty the Snowman."

Drum up excitement in the days leading up to—and those during —the Hanukkah celebrations. Make a paper chain if there's time, tearing off a link every night before dinner. Or cross off the days on a calendar. At the very least, talk about how excited you are to get started.

It's tough to compete with all the Christmas lights that outline neighborhood roofs and the blowup Santas that often dominate city blocks. But don't be afraid to go big with Hanukkah yard decorations. Light up a front yard menorah. Or, if you can't do that, put one in a window.

If you're surrounded by Christmas sweater-wearing gentiles, invite them over to take part in a little Hanukkah magic. They're actually dying for you to ask. And they'll talk about it for the rest of their lives.

Look, Christmas tree lightings are everywhere. But there are menorah lightings around the country, too.

Head to Pinterest, or even over to your old friend Google, and find some easy Hanukkah crafts to do with children. Take THAT, paper plate Santa with cotton ball beard!

Load up on Hanukkah gelt, and give it generously. The story behind gelt is a great way to reinforce and make sense of the tradition.

Foods associated with annual holidays are crucial for maintaining traditions, and Hanukkah is no time to skimp. If kids are involved, the sweeter the better. Time to make the sufganiyot.

Decorate every room in the house as well. Hang Hanukkah signs, stars of David, Hanukkah crafts and whatever else speaks to you. Surround yourself in the beauty of your culture and traditions.

If you're members of a temple, check in and see what activities they have planned around the days of Hanukkah. You'll like connecting with others who share your traditions—and you won't have to step around a Christmas tree.

Break out the dreidel and play the traditional Hanukkah game.

With Christmas cookie parties and store shelves dominated by holiday treats, bring your best out, too. Like chocolate-caramel matzo brittle. You'll win THAT office holiday cooking contest for sure.

Sing traditional (or newer) Hanukkah songs during this time of year, when radio stations and playlists are dominated with treacly tunes about kissing under mistletoe.

Throw a Hanukkah party this year! Invite other Jewish families and neighbors, or even those who don't celebrate. Show off your heritage and traditions.

Eight rounds of presents? You better believe everyone else is secretly jealous. Make the most of this holiday perk, er, tradition. Go big!

Even those who celebrate Christmas can get a little tired of all the fuss. If you're an interfaith family that celebrates both Hanukkah and Christmas, establish clear boundaries in December. Let Hanukkah have its full space, your full attention. It doesn't overlap with Christmas this year, so no need to rush putting up a tree, the lights or sitting on Santa's lap. Ignore it until after Hanukkah is over.

Make the effort during Hanukkah to bring out all the best in Jewish culture and faith. Of course, eat greasy foods like jelly donuts and latkes. But also cook up (or go out and eat) all the other Jewish foods you love.

No shame in Manischewitz wine, but pop a cork on some nicer bottles of kosher reds, too.

Connect with family—even those who aren't nearby. Connect with other Jewish families, too, wherever and however you can. These are centuries-old, millennia-old traditions, and you're an important part of making sure they continue—even if Hanukkah has to compete with the granddaddy of all annual, practically global, traditions.