Chrismukkah
The greatest superholiday known to mankind.
So what’s it gonna be, huh? You want your menorah or a candy cane? Hm? Christmas or Hanukkah? Don’t worry about it, buddy, because in this house, you don’t have to choose. Allow me to introduce you to a little somethin’ that I like to call Chrismukkah. That’s right. It’s a new holiday, Ryan, and it’s sweepin’ the nation… or at least the living room.
Mom: We didn’t really know how to raise Seth…
Yeah, so I raised myself. And in doing so, I created the greatest superholiday known to mankind, drawing on the best that Christianity and Judaism have to offer…
Allow me to elaborate. Y’see, for my father here – a poor, struggling Jew growing up in the Bronx – Christmas, it meant Chinese food and a movie. And for my mom over here – WASPy McWASP – well, it meant stockings, a tree and all the trimmings. Other highlights include eight days of presents followed by one day of many presents.
This year, Hanukkah begins at sunset on Christmas Day. In honor of everyone’s favorite TV boyfriend — Adam Brody — getting his renaissance, let’s discuss the silly holiday he helped make famous in the 2000s on The OC: Chrismukkah! It’s A Very Y2K Holiday, babey, and you’re invited!
The date of Hanukkah, as we’ve discussed before, is based on the lunisolar Hebrew calendar. This means that the first day of Hanukkah can be as early as late November and as late as the last week of December. (As superholidays go, I also adore Thanksgivikkuh. Latkes and turkey gravy? Cranberry-filled sufganiyot? Please!)
Because of that timing, Hanukkah has always existed alongside Christmas. (Fun fact: both holidays were started at roughly the same time in history!) It’s a common misconception that Hanukkah is an important holiday in Judaism; it’s not a high holiday. But even so, it has become a bit of a cultural hill to stand on for some who view Hanukkah as essentially celebrating the refusal of Jews to assimilate. To them, adopting Christmas traditions felt like a betrayal to the message of those eight days.
Yet others disagreed. They felt that there was room for a little Christmas in Hanukkah. This mashup by no means originated with early 2000s television. People have been blending Christmas and Hanukkah traditions together since at least the 19th century in Germany and Austria. Known as Weihnukka (Weihnachten and Hanukkah), this celebration made Jews living in predominantly Christian areas — which could often be deeply antisemitic — feel more comfortable in their communities. Some Jews eventually became pioneers in Christmas fields; many credit Jewish socialite Fanny von Arnstein with spreading the Christmas tree beyond its German roots.
While the Christmas x Hanukkah collab had existed for some time, it had never really gotten any solid pop culture PR until it became the subject of an episode of The OC in 2003. The kicky name certainly helped, but I think it was the direct invitation to join in the fun from a Jewish character to a gentile that gave Chrismukkah legs.
Interested in having your own little Chrismukkah? Gather your Jewish and gentile friends for a fun time. As seen in the photo above, Jews could incorporate the Yamaclaus into their gay apparel. Put up the menorah and light up the tree (and/or Hanukkah bush). Host a potluck or dinner featuring foods iconic of both holidays. Watch It’s a Wonderful Life and Fiddler on the Roof (a Cohen family tradition). Have eight days of presents followed by one day of many presents. And just generally have a great time.
Happy Chrismukkah!