Every year on December 25th, Christmas is celebrated. Not so with Chanukah. Due to the transition of dates from the Hebrew calendar to the Gregorian calendar, the eight days of Chanukah fall anywhere in between the end of November and the end of December. It is not surprising that the dates of the two holidays may coincide.

Considering that many households celebrate the two holidays, it can become a huge undertaking to pay homage to both, yet it is doable and can be accomplished without skipping a beat!

Decorations and Holiday Preparations
Your decorations and color schemes do not have to clash: simply combine the colors of Christmas and Chanukah using the silver, gold, blue, green and red color pallet harmoniously. You can decorate the tree in blue and silver or gold or you can light the menorah with green, red and gold candles. Nothing is written in stone and can’t be amicably accomplished.

As for traditional feasts, you can prepare your menu catering to both occasions:

• Chanukah. Serve potato latkes and jelly filled donuts. The tradition of serving foods that have been fried in oil is indicative of the menorah’s oil flame that burned for eight days instead of just one.
• Christmas. There are different traditional foods served for this holiday depending on a family’s background. Most would agree, though, that some eggnog and fruitcake should make an appearance!

Light the Candles and Turn On the Lights!
Chanukah candles are lit at sundown and a prayer is recited. Once this has been done it’s time to switch on the Christmas tree lights. The glow from candles and lights lend an air of awe to the household and create a special ambiance.

If you are receiving guests for an annual party, play up both of the holidays and encourage family and friends to participate in both celebrations. You can play Christmas tunes and spin the dreidel for chocolate coins! Have one adult read the story of Chanukah and another read one of the Christmas classics such as “The Night Before Christmas” or “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.” All in all it is a time for family and friends to come together and share in the best of the season and the best of both worlds. We encourage you to share with our readers how you celebrate the double holiday on Facebook. Nationwide Relocation Services consumer reports are a great way to find out about our customer service.