Families celebrate dual holidays as Hanukkah starts on Christmas Day
For the first time since 2005, the first night of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah falls on Christmas Day. And some families across North Texas will be celebrating both holidays at the same time this year.
In the Kelminson family they play with dreidels, but also decorate a Christmas tree every year.
"December is usually really busy because usually Hanukkah is earlier in December, and you never know when it's gonna fall, but growing up for me, I celebrated, both. My dad's Jewish and my mom's Christian," said Sophie Kelminson.
Sophie Kelminson grew up celebrating both holidays, but her husband Greg wasn't used to that.
"I married Greg who is also Jewish, and we get to do the same thing with our kids which is full circle which is really cool," she said.
"It's new to us we've never had this, Hanukkah's fallen on I think Thanksgiving before but I never remember it falling on Christmas," Greg Kelminson said.
And their home is dressed for both occasions.
"It just kind of represents our family. And so it's a special time and I love to do that," Sophie Kelminson said.
The perfect alignment of both holidays also means a little more time to enjoy the holiday cheer with family.
"It is nice that [Hanukkah is] going to go through New Year's. It ends January 2, so that the holidays will just keep going and it will be really fun," Sophie Kelminson said.
Whether it's lighting the menorah together or opening presents under the tree, one thing remains true.
"It's about togetherness. It's really about family and celebrating with each other and just enjoying spending time with the people who are important," Greg Kelminson said.
