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Both Christmas and Hanukkah are times of deep traditions within their cultures, and it is right and proper that those rich traditions be practiced.
Still, it is possible to enhance the richness of your family traditions by adding some related topics for conversation. Here are a few topics I like that are different from the usual talk and still relevant to these occasions:
- Make conversation starters from what is traditionally served at holiday meals: How about a favorite holiday dish you enjoyed growing up? What was it, and who made it? Did Grandmother or Mom have a specialty for the season? Is a favorite dish missing? Tell a story about a dish and the person who cooked it. Reminisce about some bit of family background - even if already known to the others.
2. Make up a few Christmas (or Hanukkah) questions to ask when your folks are gathered together. Here are examples:
--"What makes a Christmas (or Hanukkah) gift really special to you?"
--"If you were to file a complaint with the Better Christmas Bureau, what would your complaint be?"
--"If you had to write a greeting no more than 10 words in length that would be printed on 100,000 holiday cards, what would it be?" (Give each person a pencil, paper, and a few minutes to create their greetings.)
(Note: The ideas above for enhancing conversation during holidays can be adapted for most world religions.)
Until next week,
Loren
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