chrismukkah- what the heck?!?!?!?

okay, here goes the first blogblond rant:

i just read about this great new idea for interfaith families: chrismukkah (no, i am not making this up!). there is a new line of cards, gifts, and paraphanelia for families who didn't respect their own religion or traditions enough to want to perpetuate them by marrying someone of their own faith. don't get me wrong here- marry who you want, but if your list of what you really want in a spouse does not include sharing your core values about religion, then don't incorporate pseudo-values after the fact so you can give and receive gifts. that's part one.

part two is that chanukah is not a major holiday, and there is no reason to give gifts- other than to pacify jewish kids in public schools whose christian friends are winning the gift lottery every december, while in their own jewish homes, they are getting fried potato pancakes. christmas, from what i understand, is also not supposed to be about gifts. the whole tree idea was just to pacify little christian kids in public school whose pagan friends had cool fertitlity rituals, while in their own christian homes they had long religious services celebrating the birth of their lord.

so, we have two religious holidays that have become bastardized, secularized, and rendered basically meaningless when celebrated by non-religious (well, not in 'that way') practicioners. and into this mix comes chismukkah, to further remove any sense of true meaning from the celebrations. so, i am the grinchblond? no- i am all for giving and receiving gifts- just be honest and call it what it is: i worship myself day. or it's all about me day. i want to get more stuff, to stuff in the few places in my home that are not already stuffed with stuff- so please ante up the loot. think of the t-shirt sales on those two suggestions alone!

i guess what i'm saying is- just don't make up holidays. holidays are supposed to be HOLY days- thus the word 'holiday'- so if you want to have a day, that's great. if you want to make up new reasons to celebrate, go ahead (look at hallmark). if you want to give gifts, or send fruitcakes, or light up your house like a runway, or have an office party so you can hook up with your coworker and then claim afterward that you were really really drunk, well, knock yourself out. but don't alienate people from their religious origins even more by dressing something in the guise of religion and passing it off to those too far removed from their own authentic traditions to recognize it.

and if you are a christian who doesn't embrace your own tradition and wear it with pride, and wish people merry christmas during the season because you are afraid to offend them- watch out, cuz i'm gonna come after you next...