All I Want for Christmas is Chrismukkah

Libby Pappas
Kappa Alpha Theta

Seth: So what's it going to be, huh? Do you want your menorah or candy cane? Hmm? Hanukkah or Christmas?

Ryan: Uh...

Seth: Uh uh. Don't worry about it, buddy. Because in this house you don't have to choose. Allow me to introduce you to a little something that I like to call Chrismukkah.

Ryan: Chrismukkah?

Seth: That's right. It's the new holiday Ryan, and it's sweeping the nation.

Ever since "The OC" aired its classic holiday episode (season one, circa 2003), I have been intrigued by the idea of “Chrismukkah.” When Seth Cohen first mentioned the holiday he created as a young boy growing up in a Christian and Jewish household, I was instantly fascinated. The idea of Christmukkah was such a foreign concept to me that I have since been determined to learn more about it. I couldn’t believe a holiday like this existed. I was beyond jealous that some people got more than just Dec. 25. Mind you, I am not Jewish, but upon my arrival at the UW-Madison campus in fall 2009, I quickly discovered a passion and curiosity for the world of Jewishness.

As a fairly loyal Catholic, I was never exposed to anything different since my particular hometown is not the most diverse of the northwest Chicago suburbs. Although I don't attend chruch or do anything relgious in my daily life, I share Seth Cohen's appreciation for all relgions and embrace each holiday. I love learning about different cultures, philosophies, perspectives and traditions, which is what I feel is the core purpose of religion.

I’m not sure how I’m ever going to accomplish my now going on eight-year dream of celebrating Chrismukkah. I really hope that I can get Chrismukkah to sweep the nation (like Seth) or at least my group of non-Jewish friends. I’m always begging my Hanukkah celebrating friends to teach me fun Jewish facts so I can be a more believable Chrismukkah participant! I’m not trying to offend; I’m just genuinely interested in learning more about the Jewish faith and incorporating it into my own holiday festivities!  

Libby is a junior studying journalism and sociology. You may contact her at epappas@wisc.edu.