Happy Hannumas: A New Holiday Tradition

Like many married couples in the 21st century, my husband and I are of two different faiths: he's Methodist and I'm Jewish. We've been together for six years, and every year we have celebrated Easter and Christmas with his family and Hanukkah with mine.

When I was younger, I sometimes thought I would want to marry a man who shared my religion. But when I met my husband, I wasn't thinking about our separate religious backgrounds. Only about how well we got along, how much he made me laugh and how much I loved him. The difference in our religious backgrounds has never been a problem. It helps that our families respect each of our faiths and help us to celebrate both.

Both of our parents generously accept our mutual faiths and make it a point to help celebrate both holidays with us. For instance, my parents will give us ornaments for Hanukkah and wrap my husband's presents in Christmas paper, and his parents wrap my presents in Hanukkah paper.

But my favorite mixed holiday memory is compliments of my brother-in-law. While we were at my in-law's house for our first Christmas six years ago, my brother- and sister-in-law came in with their two children. Upon entering the house, the fist thing my brother-in-law said was "happy Hannumas," thus coming up with our own word for this delightful holiday we all spend together. He told me he was trying to come up with a word to incorporate both holidays into one, and Hannumas was the result. It is a word we lovingly wish each other every year on Christmas.

My husband and I have easily celebrated Hannumas every year for the past six years. We decorate the house with Christmas and Hanukkah decorations: we have a tree and a menorah. I light the candles each night during the eight nights of Hanukkah. When I'm done saying the prayer, my husband has his own unique way of ending it: Stovikor. For any of you non-Star Trek fans, that is a Klingon word. I'm sure Gene Roddenberry would get a kick out of it. At my parents' Hanukkah party, I have to glare at my husband while we light the candles to make sure he only mutters the word under his breath, as to not upset my grandparents. But he knows I know he means no disrespect to my ancestry or beliefs, and I do always get a kick out of it.

For me, being married to a man with a different faith than my own is not a hassle, but a joy. I get the best of both worlds. During the holiday season I get to have a Christmas tree with all the trimmings, lots of lights, my menorah and the beautiful Hanukkah decorations my friend has been contributing to my collection every year. I get to have brisket and latkes for Hanukkah and ham or turkey for Christmas. Most of all, my husband and I don't have to figure out how to split the holidays between our two families - well, except for Thanksgiving. But one is better than three or four throughout the year. I see my sister-in-law struggle with the decision every year around Easter and Christmas, and I don't envy her. It is very simple to know that we go to my parents' house for Hanukkah and my husband's parents' house for Christmas.

This is definitely my favorite time of year. I hope readers feel the same way, as it is a special time of year no matter what holiday you observe. And I wish everyone a very happy Hannumas.