Holidaze Diversity, sponsored by Target

Like many families that I've grown to know, we're chest deep into Hanukah and closing in on Jesusmas.  It truly is a stellar time of year.  But for the first time, I'm fully aware of the commercial disparity.  No earth-shaking news there.  Let me explain.

I won't decry those that want to frill it up this time of year.  Personally, I love a Jesusmas tree.  And ours this year is outstanding.  Pun mangled.  Picking a tree out with Maya at our neighborhood lot is a new annual ritual, this year bolstered in its hilarity by her spot-on singing of Hanukah carols (who knew?) as we looked around.  I even got guilted into keeping up neighborly appearances with regard to outside lights.  In short, our place looks frosty festive even as Seattle's weather has turned from clear and cold to damp and gray.

In terms of retail, Target is a controlled riot in December.  The sheer number of aisles for wrapping paper and varied poofy accountremants alone outnumber the space set aside for "Health and Beauty" by my unscientific count.  Each and every last dollar of which is then destined to be either thrown away (can you recycle mirrored foil?) or put into storage for the next 11 months.  Still, go ahead - knock yourself out, America.  

After looking around those aisles yesterday, I asked one of the Target minions where to find the Hanukah stuff.  In plain terms she said, "downstairs, across from the 'clearance' items".  Granted, it was already the 5th of 8 Days into the Festival of Lights.  But throw our Jewish friends a bone and at least put it on the same floor, doncha think?  Well, it got worse.  The Hanukah section was actually just the end of one aisle.  The lamps aisle.  Rimshot.  It featured a few ceramic things (a Star of David cookie jar?  Really?).  A few plates, most of which were plastic.  And, I still can't figure it out, a metal basket.  Just to put in a margin notation in the NSA file of my purchases, I bought Maya a plastic dreidel-festooned cup with that fake lining filled with glitter and stars.  Made in China and not dishwasher safe.  In short, the loneliest little cup in the store.

Luckily, Maya loved it.  That combined with her Hanukah gift last night (a fortune cookie), made for a lovely 5th night.  Tonight we've got a big celebration planned.  A party at her Pre-K, complete with all the standard fare.  Including hash browns.  Love the hash browns.

Hope your own celebrations today are equally momentous.  Rock on.

One of our Christmas Eve art projects - Maya and her cousins decorated pieces of our failed gingerbread house with all the fixings. Nobody complained.

One of our Christmas Eve art projects - decorating the pieces of our failed gingerbread house with all the fixings. Nobody complained.
Originally uploaded by emaggie

Maya shows just how ready she is to start decorating the house for the Holidaze.

Maya shows just how ready she is to start decorating the house for the Holidaze.
Originally uploaded by emaggie

This shot was just before we headed out to get our tree. We haven't trimmed it yet. But we got a beaut. Expect some more pics when we do so over the next few days. Maya is already waking up every morning asking when it's going to be Christmas. Or, as I correct her, "Jesusmas". I'm reluctant to tell her friends at the JCC that she gets the whole Chrismukkah. Jewish kids get so jealous this time of year. Hope your own excitement is entirely secular today. Rock on.

"But they are called 'stockings' aren't they?"

"But they are called 'stockings' aren't they?"
Originally uploaded by emaggie