Thank you Sari for wishing us all an Easy Xmas. We could All use that in this chaotic and egregiously cruel time.
But I fear your naming LJCS as a “disorder” rather than as a legitimate and time-honored cultural “practice”.
Next year we might find it listed in the DSM.😳
In fact, a formerly orthodox friend and I are sanctifying the practice today by going to an afternoon movie and bringing a bottle of scotch to our favorite Chinese restaurant.
Happy NYC adventuring! As a Jew who now celebrate both Chanukah and Christmas with my boyfriend’s family, I like that it’s more of a borrowed holiday than one I feel major obligations around, so I can enjoy the good parts.
Thank you for all your hard work this year, Sari! You deserve whatever holiday you want. And if you’re in NYC stop by Rizzoli bookstore on Bway, where I saw your anthology on table display this week. 🙏🤩
5:00ish am in rainy California and your Sub. is the first thing I’m reading this morning. How heartwarming to know others have Christmas anxieties, which come in a multitude of varieties. I’ve maybe had all of them, except the Chanukah “left out-ness.” Many reasons why throughout the years, but that’s left for my journal or a memoir piece. In spite of it all, my partner and I have a tiny tree, stockings on the fireplace, candles and Christmas cups for our coffee. Thank you, Sari, for your open heart and sharing these experiences. Happy Dec. 25, 2025. Let’s make it a good one! ☔️☕️📗🥘📺🎄🕯️💌
What a wonderful tradition you've created, Sari! Have a ball! I'm Jewish, single, don't really celebrate either holiday but for many years I sang in a Jewish chorus and we performed a big Hanukkah Happens concert on Xmas Eve (even if Hanukkah happened already). I watched their livestreamed concert last night and sang and danced along while purging file drawers (not regretting my choice to change choruses, however).
But also last night, my neighbors across the driveway, who don't close their curtains, hosted what appeared to be a fancy candlelit feast (in two rooms) with gorgeous decorations (table runners!), lots of people, kids, gifts, mingling. I could see it all. (I've written about my weirdly vicarious relationship with them: "Our Neighbors Are More Than the People Next Door," https://www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/2019/06/19/good-neighbors-deborah-sosin)
Last night, it hit me in my heart--how much I wished to be with family, to have a family of my own. Today, I'll Zoom with some relatives, maybe get Thai with a friend. So your post hit me in my heart too. Good timing and beautiful reflections as always. Happy Holidays!
Have a great celebration in New York, Sari. I'll be following the ancient movie and Chinese food tradition -- it's the one day of the year movie houses in New York are packed.
Loved your essay. I've always loved Christmas. As a child, it was magical and my parents really made it special for all 5 of us kids. Also, visiting my grandparents and celebrating with all my many cousins just added an extra special feeling to that time. I can't imagine not having those wonderful memories. I even love Christmas music and all the Christmas movies are so uplifting. My favorite is "A Christmas Carol" starring George C. Scott.
I'm so happy that you and your husband bought a tree when you first go together...that is great! Happy Hannukah, Sari! And Merry Christmas!
My ex-husband was Jewish -- I have no religion now, but as a Catholic, I was brought up with crazy Christmases. My mom was a kid in The Great Depression, and I always felt she was working through this. Christmas was overwhelming for me. My ex, who passed three years ago, hated the holiday and never found a way to make peace with the holiday.
With my kids (now in their 30s) for the ones nearby, we exchange one present. We have dinner and later to today I am to the community kitchen (my regular gig since I retired), then after that to a movie.
Good cheer and warmth to all, and it seems then that you can't go wrong. Best of everything to you, Sari.
So spot-on. "Silly Putty, a box of crayons, a coloring book—plus one big thing, like the Crissy and Baby Alive dolls I was out-of-my-mind excited to receive." This was SO the era! The only thing I might add here is a Slinky or a Viewmaster. It was EXACTLY what we longed for... even the Catholic girls. We were out of mind for Santa to bring us this loot!
I love this, Sari, and so glad you've made your "peace" with this overblown holiday and have found parts of it that you can enjoy in adulthood. My story is sort of the flip version of yours: I had Christmas as a child, growing up in a Christian home. Had my fill! Now, as a Buddhist, I celebrate it in a kind of outsider way. We're going hiking today. Merry Winter Holidays to us all!
Thanks Sari. So many of us Jews, I would guess, have had similar feelings about Christmas. I know I did. Being am elementary school teacher I got to celebrate with students and in my classroom and on my bulletin boards. My students would ask, Mr. Horvich, are you Christian?" I would reply, "Would that make me a better teacher? I celebrate all holidays." or Mr. Horvich, are you Jewish?" I would reply the same. Most of my students decided for themselves that I celebrated all holidays because my parents were of mixed religions. I began celebrating Christmas in earnest with my first lover of 13 years and his family. My naiveté and enthusiasm helped renew the holiday for his parents and grandmother. I wrote about that for Medium.com and republished it here on Substack. Sari, I enjoyed reading about your Christmas.
I am just getting to reading this post today, Sari. I enjoyed every bit of what you wrote, and you brought up some of my own memories of Christmas past. I have slept many nights over many years next to my cozy Christmas trees, and it always brings me such joy. When my partner and I moved into our first apartment we invited one of our dear friends of the Jewish Faith to come and decorate our tree with us. She absolutely had such a delightful time, and we draped ourselves in the lights after untangling them and it's a great memory. This dear friend of ours has also shared many Jewish celebrations with us. I'm smiling right now as I reminisce.
Hope you had a lovely time doing holiday things in NY City! I have fallen asleep by the light of our Xmas tree as an adult more times than I care to admit. There is just something magical about the warm glow in a long, cold winter's night. :)
Thank you for sharing the Bowie/Bing crossover. I'd meant to look that up as part of the holidays and hadn't yet, and it's required watching every Christmas. :)
Thank you Sari for wishing us all an Easy Xmas. We could All use that in this chaotic and egregiously cruel time.
But I fear your naming LJCS as a “disorder” rather than as a legitimate and time-honored cultural “practice”.
Next year we might find it listed in the DSM.😳
In fact, a formerly orthodox friend and I are sanctifying the practice today by going to an afternoon movie and bringing a bottle of scotch to our favorite Chinese restaurant.
Could anything be more perfect?🤷🏼♂️
😂 That is perfect. Have a great time. PS L’Chaim.
Cheers 🥃🥃
🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟
Strong emoji game. 💪🏻
Happy NYC adventuring! As a Jew who now celebrate both Chanukah and Christmas with my boyfriend’s family, I like that it’s more of a borrowed holiday than one I feel major obligations around, so I can enjoy the good parts.
“Borrowed holiday” - well put Rachel. Happy, happy! 🎄
Thank you for all your hard work this year, Sari! You deserve whatever holiday you want. And if you’re in NYC stop by Rizzoli bookstore on Bway, where I saw your anthology on table display this week. 🙏🤩
Thanks, Victoria! And that’s so great to hear about Rizzoli! Thanks for telling me.
5:00ish am in rainy California and your Sub. is the first thing I’m reading this morning. How heartwarming to know others have Christmas anxieties, which come in a multitude of varieties. I’ve maybe had all of them, except the Chanukah “left out-ness.” Many reasons why throughout the years, but that’s left for my journal or a memoir piece. In spite of it all, my partner and I have a tiny tree, stockings on the fireplace, candles and Christmas cups for our coffee. Thank you, Sari, for your open heart and sharing these experiences. Happy Dec. 25, 2025. Let’s make it a good one! ☔️☕️📗🥘📺🎄🕯️💌
💝
What a wonderful tradition you've created, Sari! Have a ball! I'm Jewish, single, don't really celebrate either holiday but for many years I sang in a Jewish chorus and we performed a big Hanukkah Happens concert on Xmas Eve (even if Hanukkah happened already). I watched their livestreamed concert last night and sang and danced along while purging file drawers (not regretting my choice to change choruses, however).
But also last night, my neighbors across the driveway, who don't close their curtains, hosted what appeared to be a fancy candlelit feast (in two rooms) with gorgeous decorations (table runners!), lots of people, kids, gifts, mingling. I could see it all. (I've written about my weirdly vicarious relationship with them: "Our Neighbors Are More Than the People Next Door," https://www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/2019/06/19/good-neighbors-deborah-sosin)
Last night, it hit me in my heart--how much I wished to be with family, to have a family of my own. Today, I'll Zoom with some relatives, maybe get Thai with a friend. So your post hit me in my heart too. Good timing and beautiful reflections as always. Happy Holidays!
Thanks you, Deborah. Glad this came on time. Love your old traditions and you new one. Have a great Zoom session and meal. 🎁
Thanks, Sari. And now I have Joni Mitchell skating through my brain. Ahh, the best. Have a great day!
Have a great celebration in New York, Sari. I'll be following the ancient movie and Chinese food tradition -- it's the one day of the year movie houses in New York are packed.
Love it. Have fun, and thank you. Hope to see you in the new year, Joyce. xo
Loved your essay. I've always loved Christmas. As a child, it was magical and my parents really made it special for all 5 of us kids. Also, visiting my grandparents and celebrating with all my many cousins just added an extra special feeling to that time. I can't imagine not having those wonderful memories. I even love Christmas music and all the Christmas movies are so uplifting. My favorite is "A Christmas Carol" starring George C. Scott.
I'm so happy that you and your husband bought a tree when you first go together...that is great! Happy Hannukah, Sari! And Merry Christmas!
Thank you and merry Christmas! 🎄
For me, it never lived up to its hype so I am happy to forgo the whole thing. Merry day to you!
And to you!
My ex-husband was Jewish -- I have no religion now, but as a Catholic, I was brought up with crazy Christmases. My mom was a kid in The Great Depression, and I always felt she was working through this. Christmas was overwhelming for me. My ex, who passed three years ago, hated the holiday and never found a way to make peace with the holiday.
With my kids (now in their 30s) for the ones nearby, we exchange one present. We have dinner and later to today I am to the community kitchen (my regular gig since I retired), then after that to a movie.
Good cheer and warmth to all, and it seems then that you can't go wrong. Best of everything to you, Sari.
Thank you, Pat.
So spot-on. "Silly Putty, a box of crayons, a coloring book—plus one big thing, like the Crissy and Baby Alive dolls I was out-of-my-mind excited to receive." This was SO the era! The only thing I might add here is a Slinky or a Viewmaster. It was EXACTLY what we longed for... even the Catholic girls. We were out of mind for Santa to bring us this loot!
Hope you had a happy day:)
Oh, yes, those, too!
I love this, Sari, and so glad you've made your "peace" with this overblown holiday and have found parts of it that you can enjoy in adulthood. My story is sort of the flip version of yours: I had Christmas as a child, growing up in a Christian home. Had my fill! Now, as a Buddhist, I celebrate it in a kind of outsider way. We're going hiking today. Merry Winter Holidays to us all!
Lovely. Have a great hike. 🎄
A peaceful holiday to you Sari. Sounds lovely to be a holiday tourist in Manhattan. I got Patti Smith's new memoir so guess what I'm doing today.
Thanks, Frances. 💕
Thank you Sari, for all that you do, and all that you are. Mostly, you are a lovely light ✨
💝🎄🎁
Thanks Sari. So many of us Jews, I would guess, have had similar feelings about Christmas. I know I did. Being am elementary school teacher I got to celebrate with students and in my classroom and on my bulletin boards. My students would ask, Mr. Horvich, are you Christian?" I would reply, "Would that make me a better teacher? I celebrate all holidays." or Mr. Horvich, are you Jewish?" I would reply the same. Most of my students decided for themselves that I celebrated all holidays because my parents were of mixed religions. I began celebrating Christmas in earnest with my first lover of 13 years and his family. My naiveté and enthusiasm helped renew the holiday for his parents and grandmother. I wrote about that for Medium.com and republished it here on Substack. Sari, I enjoyed reading about your Christmas.
Fondly, Michael
https://open.substack.com/pub/mhorvich/p/previously-published-elsewhere-this?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web.
Thank you, Michael. And for the link—I’ll check it out. I love this.
January 6, 2026
I am just getting to reading this post today, Sari. I enjoyed every bit of what you wrote, and you brought up some of my own memories of Christmas past. I have slept many nights over many years next to my cozy Christmas trees, and it always brings me such joy. When my partner and I moved into our first apartment we invited one of our dear friends of the Jewish Faith to come and decorate our tree with us. She absolutely had such a delightful time, and we draped ourselves in the lights after untangling them and it's a great memory. This dear friend of ours has also shared many Jewish celebrations with us. I'm smiling right now as I reminisce.
🩷
Hope you had a lovely time doing holiday things in NY City! I have fallen asleep by the light of our Xmas tree as an adult more times than I care to admit. There is just something magical about the warm glow in a long, cold winter's night. :)
Thanks for letting me know!
Thank you for sharing the Bowie/Bing crossover. I'd meant to look that up as part of the holidays and hadn't yet, and it's required watching every Christmas. :)