The answer is yes, to both, though it got me thinking about what "tradition" means and what traditions – holidays or otherwise – The Fella and I actually keep, because at times, it somewhat feels sparse.
After our first holiday together as a married couple, three years ago, with no menorah and no tree, I was determined to make the second one more meaningful. When we finally got a tree the following year, we called it the "Charlie Brown tree" not only because it was small but because we had three ornaments to our name. So we decided to begin a new tradition of collecting a special ornament or two from the Christkindl German Market each year, to slowly but surely grow our collection. So this not only means we browse for ornaments, but also enjoy a warm boot of Gluhwein and candied nuts together in the wintry confines of twinkling Daley Plaza.
That year I also decided it was high time to begin properly celebrating Hanukkah. After a profuse search, I acquired a non-traditional "menorah that is technically a candelabra with nine holders".
It's absolutely breathtaking, organically shaped like a delicate tree branch, laden in silver. I feel a little tingle of holiday joy every time I look at it. According to West Elm, the year before I purchased it, they didn't have great sales on their traditional menorah, prompting them to design a more versatile product that can be used every day, or also, as a Hanukkah menorah if you please. Yes, please! Evidently, this concept worked because these were sold out across the nation. (I know because I feverishly hunted down the single one left in all of inventory at a store in the 'burbs of Chicago.)
Maya's question led me to a bigger one: Now that we possess said coveted menorah, what do we really do with it, aside from swooning over its silver beauty?
Sadly for our lovely menorah, there are some days during Hanukkah when it doesn't get lit at all because The Fella and I are either working real late or out partying real late. He doesn't practice the Jewish religion, appreciating it mostly from a cultural perspective and upbringing. I would be a liar if I said that the Jewish holiday significance means much to me, a non-Jew, who is perhaps even more so, an agnostic. I do appreciate the beauty in the act of carrying out rituals, but unfortunately, in past years we haven't always carved out the time for things like the lighting of the menorah.
What are your holiday traditions? I'd appreciate any tips on how to incorporate more rituals and to cultivate a little more meaning!
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