https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-years-chanukah-in-the-april-family Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 18 Apr 2026 11:49:04 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-years-chanukah-in-the-april-family#post-2296193 Tue, 13 Dec 2022 19:57:31 +0000 April 2296193@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I will celebrate basically any occasion that isn't hateful, which is interesting since Mr. A has a fear of celebrating - like it might bring on some sort of bad luck or evil eye.</p> <p>I'm the one who keeps a bottle of champagne chilled always, just in case something amazing happens.&nbsp; (And yes, Mr. A's entire family feels this is deranged.)</p> <p>My most favorite Jewish custom is reciting the prayer called the shehecheyanu, which is recited when a wonderful moment occurs for the first time that year.&nbsp; For example, my most observant friend would instruct her sons to say the shehecheyanu for things like the first time they heard the music of an ice-cream truck in the spring.&nbsp; &nbsp;:)</p> <p>Here it is if you'd like to know what it sounds like:&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mMwoLFlQU4">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mMwoLFlQU4</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-years-chanukah-in-the-april-family#post-2296171 Tue, 13 Dec 2022 15:11:53 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2296171@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hope you all enjoy a wonderful, creative fest. I love when people take holidays into their own hands and have enjoyed following this thread </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-years-chanukah-in-the-april-family#post-2296005 Mon, 12 Dec 2022 13:20:02 +0000 April 2296005@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sloper, I know - that sable, right?&nbsp; When I was a newlywed (the first time) at 25, my new husband and I were living quite frugally.&nbsp; His closest friends had a one-year-old daughter and we invited them over for a classic bagel lunch.&nbsp; We decided to splash out on a mountain of nova lox, some good whitefish salad, and a small piece of sable.&nbsp; And then watched with (feigned) delight as the one-year old ate about $100 worth of smoked fish.&nbsp; $100 in 1989 dollars.&nbsp; Ouch. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-years-chanukah-in-the-april-family#post-2295998 Mon, 12 Dec 2022 13:03:09 +0000 Janet 2295998@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love the gift categories and the modest gifts idea! Some years my husband and I have done a thing where we agree to give each other three things:</p> <p>- something to listen to (CD in the past, this year a record since we have a new “listening room” where our turntable is more accessible<br /> - something to read<br /> - a special treat to eat or drink</p> <p>It’s always fun and keeps us on a modest budget for the years when we don’t want to go overboard. This year we are traveling, so that’s our gift to ourselves…well, that and we’ll probably shop while we are traveling! </p> <p>Happy holidays to all! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-years-chanukah-in-the-april-family#post-2295978 Mon, 12 Dec 2022 09:12:47 +0000 anne 2295978@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>To answer your question about the winter months in Australia Suz, there is nothing celebrated as widely as Christmas, but sometimes people have dinners themed 'Christmas in July'. There are also end of financial year parties at some workplaces. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-years-chanukah-in-the-april-family#post-2295961 Mon, 12 Dec 2022 03:52:36 +0000 Suz 2295961@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, that is clever with the fry pan, <b>Apri</b>l. Mr. Suz would approve!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-years-chanukah-in-the-april-family#post-2295952 Mon, 12 Dec 2022 03:16:27 +0000 Carla 2295952@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Inventive approach to gift giving, April. As we’ve scaled down with gifts, &nbsp; It seems like the food has become more important. I do like to find recipes that are new twists on old favourites, and I feel like I’m doing just as much baking as I did when the boys were small! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-years-chanukah-in-the-april-family#post-2295936 Mon, 12 Dec 2022 01:23:03 +0000 Sloper 2295936@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm floating down a flavor memory lane here - whitefish (and sable).&nbsp; I looked at the prices in the Zabar's catalog though... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-years-chanukah-in-the-april-family#post-2295928 Sun, 11 Dec 2022 23:42:07 +0000 Anonymous 2295928@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love your gift giving categories! Keep us posted if the modest part was accomplished </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-years-chanukah-in-the-april-family#post-2295920 Sun, 11 Dec 2022 22:26:05 +0000 April 2295920@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>But since I have never made sufganiyot, something about that is calling to me. Also, I have one more frozen parcel of smoked whitefish in my freezer and there is nothing my guys love more than an everything bagel with cream cheese and whitefish salad. Authentic whitefish salad is just cooked smoked whitefish with mayo and a little lemon, so I have promised that (everything bagels delivered from a local shop that makes them fresh) for a special holiday treat. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-years-chanukah-in-the-april-family#post-2295918 Sun, 11 Dec 2022 22:21:03 +0000 April 2295918@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Not sure this would work for anyone else, but because I loathe the splatter and the lingering smell of frying inside the house, I often take a large electric skillet outside, where a metal sideboard on a covered back porch near an electrical outlet serves as my outdoor cook station. If we make latkes this year, that's where I'll be making them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-years-chanukah-in-the-april-family#post-2295905 Sun, 11 Dec 2022 19:10:41 +0000 Helena 2295905@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh I love those themes for your gift giving ... Sounds like a wonderful celebration. Latkes have to be one of THE best foods on the planet. Enjoy it all!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-years-chanukah-in-the-april-family#post-2295876 Sun, 11 Dec 2022 16:11:22 +0000 Theodora 2295876@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What great ideas! &nbsp;I miss the over-the-top decorating I used to do when the kids were growing up. &nbsp;I even made our own huge hand painted Star of David, complete with attached blue lights, that went in our front yard. &nbsp;Not sure that would be safe these days…</p> <p>Now that the kids are grown and on the other side of the country, we do the candle lighting over FaceTime every night, which is early for them, lol.</p> <p>My DH and I both &nbsp;latkes, but after 30+ years of trying, I cannot make them well at all, but have found that Trader Joe’s sells frozen latkes that are really yummy!</p> <p>Thanks for the gift ideas. &nbsp;I am so not into big gifts anymore </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-years-chanukah-in-the-april-family#post-2295856 Sun, 11 Dec 2022 14:58:09 +0000 CarolS 2295856@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Your plans for Hanukah this year sound wonderful, April! We don't generally do gifts, but we light the candles and I usually try to make latkes. Not sure if that will happen this year because we've got a few other things on the go. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-years-chanukah-in-the-april-family#post-2295852 Sun, 11 Dec 2022 14:19:17 +0000 Bijou 2295852@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Christmas is a special time in our house, I have 26 family members coming for Christmas lunch. Boxing Day is also very special, as it is DS's birthday.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-years-chanukah-in-the-april-family#post-2295804 Sun, 11 Dec 2022 05:51:12 +0000 rachylou 2295804@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This sounds so crazy, but my extended family gathers xmas day, and we will all be there together for the lighting of the menorah that day… so that will happen. But (scandalously?) I think my cousin in law is going to serve lobster… he’s genuinely Jewish; my uncle (his father in law) just lives at the Jewish retirement home and leads prayers there (the Chinese Jewish connection we’ve got going on). That uncle, his wife and me (via my dad), we are from Catholic families.</p> <p>We did jelly donuts at the bakery back in the day, but stopped. We’re not really setup for deep frying… </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-years-chanukah-in-the-april-family#post-2295779 Sun, 11 Dec 2022 02:15:26 +0000 Jaime 2295779@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well my DH grew up in Boro Park and they did have some form of greasy donut I believe ! Chanukah in Israel is all about the sufganiyot - bakeries compete to make the most exotic flavors. Presents are minimal. Latkes less common. Donuts rule (although only I call them donuts). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-years-chanukah-in-the-april-family#post-2295760 Sun, 11 Dec 2022 01:24:40 +0000 Suz 2295760@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, <b>April,</b> what a fabulous tradition! I love your idea for the 8 categories! It sounds pretty ambitious (even if modest) but I wonder if we could do an adapted version at our place. Hmmmm. Thinking cap is on. (I especially love the "found" gift and "something from before the year you were born."&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Em</b>, I love your addition categories of "something to fix things with" and "something to help someone else." Brilliant.&nbsp;</p> <p>We do both Channukah and Christmas at our place. Mr. Suz, who is the Jewish one in the family, doesn't like latkes (!!!) but LJ and I love them so usually we pick a night and make them. And we love lighting candles. LJ has learned the prayers and says them with Dad or with me when Dad is out.&nbsp;</p> <p>And we also put up a tree and exchange gifts at Christmas.&nbsp;</p> <p>What I love most of all is the light -- getting the decorations up, making things brighter on these dark days.&nbsp;</p> <p>I often wonder how our Ozzie friends manage their winter season. Is there an equivalent holiday for the winter there that gives people an excuse to brighten things? Because winter can be so long and dark and Channukah and Christmas or solstice or whatever name we give it definitely breaks up the long dark.&nbsp;</p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-years-chanukah-in-the-april-family#post-2295737 Sun, 11 Dec 2022 00:36:39 +0000 Angie 2295737@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I LOVE hearing about your Channukah stories, celebrations, and gift giving ideas. Thanks for sharing. Rich and meaningful!</p> <p>(We have close family birthdays a few days after Xmas in our family. It's special!).&nbsp;</p> <p><i><b></b></i><b>April</b><i><b></b></i>, it all sounds absolutely splendid! Things will not feel absent this year.</p> <p><b>em</b>, you had me in stitches with your family gift giving stories :)</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-years-chanukah-in-the-april-family#post-2295732 Sat, 10 Dec 2022 23:51:43 +0000 April 2295732@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>When my son was a tiny chap, I diligently learned the "right" way to light a menorah, the "right" blessings to say each night, etc. And you know, it mattered not at all because the Jewish side of the family didn't know (or care) about such things. Interestingly, my son's dad was quite particular about not "mixing" holiday traditions when we were together, yet after he left, he dropped every attempt to create a Jewish upbringing for our son. Well, who was supposed to do it? Me, the shiksa mom? I did so for years but eventually gave up. My family of origin has been torn asunder by the 4 adult children not being "religious enough" for my parents, so I'm done with all that. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-years-chanukah-in-the-april-family#post-2295728 Sat, 10 Dec 2022 22:45:00 +0000 Sloper 2295728@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I grew up with latkes, but we never did the&nbsp;sufganiyot.&nbsp; I didn't know we could celebrate with jelly doughnuts until I was quite grown up!&nbsp; My background is Pale of Settlement - both sides, Mom and Dad were first generation (both born in 1917-1918) - maybe that's why?</p> <p>Anyway I always light the candles.&nbsp; Growing up, we had some beautiful decorations that Dad would tack to the ceiling.</p> <p>Your gift-giving ideas sound great! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-years-chanukah-in-the-april-family#post-2295717 Sat, 10 Dec 2022 21:43:09 +0000 em 2295717@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My biggest problem with this food is that when I try to cook in oil it splatters everywhere and makes a mess.</p> <p>I really like the guiding principles you have established. One year the parents went to town and an entire quarter of the living room was laden&nbsp; with gifts...and much to my surprise, one was even parked in the driveway. I have no idea what prompted them to do that that year. (They never raised us to be so CC so maybe aliens took over their minds that year.) Because another year, I got CVS lotion all wrapped up.</p> <p>Someday I might have a family of my own. And I think I might adopt/modify your idea. I'll come up with 8 categories and we can exchange gifts based on that. <ul> <li>Something to read</li> <li>Something you made</li> <li>Something to eat</li> <li>Something from before the year you were born</li> <li>Something to wear</li> <li>Something to dream with</li> <li>Something to fix things with</li> <li>Something that helps someone else</li> </ul> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-years-chanukah-in-the-april-family#post-2295713 Sat, 10 Dec 2022 21:17:41 +0000 kkards 2295713@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My dad loved latkes, but he and my mom where in Israel one year during Hanukkah and OMG he took to the jelly donuts. &nbsp;Anyway i love your plan. We aren’t much for Hanukkah in my family, but my sister got me this mug this year, and its just what i needed&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-years-chanukah-in-the-april-family#post-2295703 Sat, 10 Dec 2022 19:50:14 +0000 Cardiff girl 2295703@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sounds like a lovely way to celebrate this tradition and make it personal to your family and wow,two birthdays as well in December!Thats one big gifting month in your household. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/this-years-chanukah-in-the-april-family#post-2295690 Sat, 10 Dec 2022 18:53:51 +0000 April 2295690@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I will start by saying that last year, we did not one thing for Chanukah.&nbsp; No latkes, no dreidel spins, no menorah brought out of storage.&nbsp; I found that this approach left me with a "felt absence" so this year I came up with the following.</p> <p>There are eight nights in Chanukah and we have me, Mr. A, and Little Mr. A.&nbsp; We also do a lot of Christmas gifting, and both men have birthdays within two weeks of December 25, so I felt it was important to make a rule that my Chanukah gifting scheme had to involve ONLY MODEST GIFTS.</p> <p>I made a list of categories and asked us each to select two categories, and to give MODEST gifts to the other two people on their assigned nights.&nbsp; The categories were:</p> <ul> <li>Something to read</li> <li>Something you made</li> <li>Something to eat</li> <li>Something involving light</li> <li>Something you found (no buying, no making)</li> <li>Something from before the year you were born</li> <li>Something involving the future</li> <li>Something to play with</li> <li>Something for outdoors</li> <li>Something involving water</li> <li>Something involving numbers</li> <li>A practical tool of some kind</li> </ul> <p>Mr. A spoke up for "read" and "light" and LMA chose "eat" and "from before the year you were born."&nbsp; I chose something I made and something I found, but am ditching "found" because I haven't found anything cool.</p> <p>Anyway, we're lighting candles every night and perhaps making latkes and sufganyot (though the 90 and 88-year-old Brooklyn-raised Jews in our family insist that no one anywhere has ever heard of sufganyot), but we're each taking one night to give gifts to the other two on nights 1, 2, and 3, taking a break on night 4, then each taking one more night of 5, 6, and 7. 8th night is another break because this year the 8th night falls on Christmas and by that night, we're gifted out.</p> <p>I feel I must use allcaps for MODEST because Mr. A is an extravagant gift-giver and even though he won't see this post, I'm sending him mental signals to keep the gifts MODEST. </p>