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Sunday, November 15, 2009

Mommy, there's only Christmas...



At Target the other day, walking past the card area Princess looked at the banner above and said, "Mommy, there's only Christmas. Where's Hanukkah?" I found the little section of Hanukkah cards and pointed them out. This, however, was not good enough. While there is a Hanukkah section, there is no Hanukkah anywhere in the banner above.

Yesterday at Michael's we walked in and Princess said, "Mommy, there's only Christmas." I told her that they probably don't know how special Hanukkah is. Princess still felt sad.

It is so sad that a holiday we feel is so special doesn't get any recognition in the abundant decorations in every store we enter. Princess feels sad and I feel sad for her. How do I explain that this is just the way it is? Why is it okay that this is the way it is?

A few years back I was shopping in a small local store during the holiday season. After paying, I wished the clerk "Happy Holidays!". The snotty b*#@h clerk responded with a very pointed, "Merry Christmas." What the heck? Was my sentiment not good enough?

Don't get me wrong, when people wish me a Merry Christmas I take it in the spirit that it is meant. But, why must people assume that everyone celebrates Christmas? Where are all the Hanukkah decorations? Does this only happen here? I swear I remember Hanukkah decorations 14 years ago in the Philadelphia area. Why does our holiday, my daughter's holiday, get no representation?

Now, hoping that my sentiment is good enough, Happy Holidays!!! And here is a little bit of Hanukkah...



13 comments:

5orangepotatoes said...

How confusing to a little sweetie! We get a little annoyed about all the Christmas out there while other holidays are ignored; and the fact that it is so commercial and materialistic. I always tell my girls that this makes our winter solstice traditions more special and unique......

lisa

Shady Lady said...

I shared this with Princess and she said, "It doesn't make them feel sad?" I told her that you all decided not to feel sad, but to know how special your holiday is. She then told me that Hanukkah is too special to be in the stores, too. :) Thank you, Lisa!

Unknown said...

The winter holidays are so wonderful, all of them. I wish certain religious people would un-bunch their panties about Christmas and just let everyone enjoy the season, with or without Jesus.

Shady Lady said...

HA! I just love how you put that, Kelly. Simply awesome! :)

Aliceson said...

Tell me about it. Around here if you have the balls to wish someone a 'Happy Holiday', you must also be prepared for the stink eye.

There is a grocery store (one of those nice grocery stores with lots of organic foods and a big tank of lobsters) sort of near us that has a huge selection of Hanukkah items. Mostly chocolate wrapped in blue foil but still more than I've seen at other stores.

I guess this means that you and Princess will have to make your own Hanukkah decor and treats. I smell a craft project...

Secret Mom Thoughts said...

Sad. Hope you enjoy your holiday season.

Formerly known as Frau said...

I agree it is sad! I think certain areas have more decorations than others that is for sure. Never saw any in Utah! Happy Holidays!

Shady Lady said...

Thanks, SMT & Frau! Happy Holidays to you!!!

Aliceson, yes, we do lots of Hanukkah crafts, baking and decorating at home. Princess wants the stores to acknowledge Hanukkah as well. Hey.....maybe we should start decorating the stores! ;)

Zayna said...

Poor Princess! I thought it was so cute though, "There's only Christmas."

We live in a diverse neighbourhood that has a near equal mix of Christian and Jewish families.

Our local grocery store has an entire Kosher section with its own meat counter, bakery and holiday related displays.

We say "Merry Christmas" and our Jewish neighbours reply "Happy Hanukkah" (and vice versa) and no one feels the need to "un-bunch their panties" (thanks Kelly, that was hilarious) about it.

The sad truth is that there will always be people like that store clerk, unfortunately.

It's just best to ignore them. :P

Shady Lady said...

How cool to live in such a diverse neighborhood, Zayna! I do my best to ignore the ignorance of others, but sometimes I'm just stunned.

5orangepotatoes said...

I'm so glad Princess feels that way now!

Your comment here made me very happy!

lisa

Ute said...

I am so not in the mood for Christmas... or any other holiday for that matter. ;-) We should write letters to those ignorant you know what's. The Christians are always complaining about how Happy Holidays in stores is not good enough.
Why not the Jews? And hey, what about atheists? Meh...

Shady Lady said...

Ya know Freckle, I did actually think about talking to the managers at those stores...who knows, maybe I will. Right now Princess really is thinking that not seeing all that carp for Hanukkah in the stores does make our holiday more special. She even commented about it when we were at the mall the other day.