We asked Jen, art director for Hallmark’s Tree of Life card line for Jewish celebrations, to share her perspective about the holiday that begins at sundown tonight.
As Hanukkah approaches this week, I can’t help but think of all the family traditions I’ve experienced growing up and how things have changed so much for me through the years.
When I was younger, our Hanukkah celebrations consisted of family get-togethers with my extended family. We’d have my mom’s potato latkes and noodle kugel; my grandmother always made the brisket; and no dinner was complete without the frozen cheese blintzes. We always received one BIG gift and a few practical ones, like socks, underwear, etc. And to help us remember what the season was really all about, my mother and father started a tradition in which every year we donated one of our presents to “Toys for Tots.” My sister and I also liked playing the dreidel game to amuse ourselves, but we often got stuck watching boring family videos that my dad would drag out every time family came over.
Now I have a family of my own — my husband is not Jewish and none of my family lives within driving distance. Nevertheless, I get a great amount of joy from creating our own traditions as a family. Little things have become a big part of our celebration, like inviting all of our friends and my in-laws over for Hanukkah and introducing the holiday to them. My husband and three-year-old son have learned the Hebrew blessings, and we always make a craft (Star of David or dreidel) to give everyone who comes, so they have a keepsake from the night.
I am now the one who makes my mother’s potato latke recipe, and I’ve added my own recipes through the years. My father-in-law makes the brisket (and it usually is the hit of the meal), so it turns out you don’t have to be Jewish to make a great brisket. And just like I did when I was a kid, Maddox is giving one of his presents to “Toys for Tots” and learning how to give to others at this season. Some of my friends have had children this year, and it’s become just as important to them that they understand the Jewish traditions and how and why we celebrate.
What’s also really fulfilling is how much my own personal experiences help me to infuse Hallmark’s Tree of Life card line with the authenticity that our Jewish consumers look for and expect from Hallmark. I feel so fortunate to be able to celebrate the joys of the season both in my personal and professional life. And I look forward to many more opportunities to make new memories and new products that delight and inspire everyone.
Happy Hanukkah!
Jen
