Christmas Lights but We're Jewish!

There is a family in my neighborhood with their house all decked out in lights and a blue and white Star of David on the side of their house. Doesn't seem like a problem to me. Call them holiday lights. :)

I'm not Jewish but I wouldn't see a problem putting up lights in blue and white and even a lit Menorah, especially a lit Menorah.

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

Aww. Lights are beautiful.
I'd keep mine up (indoors) all year round if I could.
But then they probably wouldn't be as special.
Don't deny him the beauty of some pretty lights.
Why put a label on them.
They're just...pretty!

Twinkling lights are just fun.

And you can play all of the Neil Diamond Christmas CDs! LOL

They are called Holiday lights... not Christmas lights. Take him to the store and show him all of the boxes on the shelves :)

Hanukkah is also in December... right before Christmas... so just because its during the same time frame doesn't mean that it has to be only for Christians!

I say decorate your house in "Holiday" lights!!

I think the blue and white lights would be perfect and call them holiday lights or even Hanukkah lights. Or just put up snowflake icicle lights, and call them winter lights. Explain to your son that you don't celebrate Christmas, so they're not going to be called Christmas lights.

I have heard the term "Festival of Lights" when referring to Hannukah....I am guessing because of the menorah and the oil that stretched to light each candle??? Not sure..I need to brush up on my Jewish holidays.

I think you can justify putting up lights..people won't drive by and see them and assume a Christian lives there. Just some festive and happy family celebrating a season full of wonderful holidays.

Go get some lights and watch your son's face light up!!!

Good luck and best wishes!!

Maybe Im off today, but you said you are Jewish, but not religious in any way at all?

I think its ok to put the lights up.

We have new neighbors and they just put up Blue and white lights on their very first house! They are a cute young couple with a little girl. I bet she is all excited. I know we were when we saw the lights for the first time tonight.

I live on a street with two jewish families and they put up blue and white lights on their house every year and they look very pretty. I think its neat that your son wants to celebrate the season and perhaps if you don't want to light up the outside perhaps you can decorate the inside of your house with lights along with your menorah. Good luck

.

http://www.zionjudaica.com/Hanukkah_Decorations___Inflata...

We're Jewish and we found some strings of lights that have Jewish stars, dreidles, menorahs, etc. - we put them inside where we can enjoy them, hanging them from the mantel and on the banister, and using suction cups to clip them to the windows.

We have a big Hanukkah door decoration that we put on the front door, and shine a spotlight on it. We have decorations everywhere - we find little things in the stores as we go along, use catalogs/on-line sources, and save all the things our son made in preschool and Hebrew school. His pictures are laminated (you can do that in office stores like Staples) and hole-punched - then we hang them from curtain rods, door frames, whatever.

Everyone in the family has his/her own menorah, and we set them up in the window and light them all, while singing the blessings. We have some CDs with Hanukkah music. It's all very festive and doesn't try to "compete" with Christmas. My son is very proud of his Jewish heritage and we did it without looking like we were anything other than Jewish.

You can search on line or you can purchase at a comprehensive Judaic gift shop. One near us does shipping so let me know if you don't have a place nearby.

I think you could "get away with" blue and white lights IF you had a big door decoration that makes it clear you are Jewish. Ours is a plastic sheet, sort of like those plastic tablecloths on a roll. If you can't find one - make one! Buy a large piece of plastic and have your son help you decorate it with stickers or pictures he has made. If you laminate them and put them on with a hot glue gun, they should hold up in all but the worst weather. Or you can use sticky paper (contact paper, etc.) and create your own shapes, then cut and peel and stick. If he does a picture, date it before laminating - then the door cover becomes a sort of scrapbook through the years.

I also made my son a wall hanging with 8 pockets with the numbers 1-8 on them. Like an "advent calendar" where the child opens a door every day, he had a gift in there for all 8 days. Usually they were small (chocolate gelt, a puzzle, small legos, etc. Other days we put in a clue to find his big gift hidden somewhere in the house. Pockets 7 and 8 were larger, so that larger gifts came toward the end of the holiday.

We also always collected our spare change and money we put aside every week, and selected a local charity as a family. Our son bought food for the food pantry, gifts for a needy child, or sent something to our soldiers overseas. There are plenty of Jewish charities and programs in Israel helping new immigrants or the victims of terrorist bombings, as well as hospitals with children's wards. Start at his current level of comprehension, and work your way up.

Email me back if you want to talk more!

I asked my friend about this, and she is very much a "practicing" Jew. They celebrate their own religious holidays and do not take part in Christmas, Easter, or Halloween. No Christmas trees either (though I have seen some, decorated in blue, white, silver). They do have their house in white lights though! (lights on the bushes, and outlining the door, windows, garage, and roof). She said that yeah, the red/greens, the reindeer, the Santa Claus, all that is "Christmas". But the white lights are "winter" and are more "snow" (especially with the dangly icicles or snowflakes) and that is a winter thing, not a Christmas thing. We Christmas lovers don't have the whole market on all things winter. They're just called "Christmas lights" because they get put up around Christmas time.....they could just as easily be called "Mexican restaurant patio lights" I suppose? :)
My favorite house in the whole neighborhood this year is mostly blue, but with other colors on the strand....it's REALLY pretty! And the bushes are done in blue and white lights (they look icy and lovely), and there's a little snowman out there. They may be Jewish, I don't know. But at any rate, those aren't "traditional" Christmas colors (red and green are), but so pretty! They don't have "Christmas characters" though, so perhaps they're Jewish? Who knows? I've never met them.
I think some people's idea of hanging a star of David on the garage or something would help make a statement or stand out if that would help your husband feel better. One last thought: there's not really a "Christian" or specific "Christmas" reason to put lights on the house, if that makes a difference. I've been a practicing Christian forever, but that's never something that's come up in church or family "Christmas story" readings.

I think if you put up white or blue it would be fine. It's a winter theme not a christmas thing. That's how I see it. I keep my lights up until the snow goes away.

"Christmas" lights have nothing to do with Christianity. Most likely the tradition of putting candles (and now, electric lights) out in the windows (and now, on roofs) stemmed from ancient Saturnalia celebrations. They celebrated the shortest night of the year and the rebirth of the sun - and every night after that would get shorter and shorter. In an agrarian society, that was something to celebrate.

So go ahead, celebrate Saturnalia! We do, and we aren't Christians. ;)

Or better yet, put your lights out to celebrate Hanukkah, the festival of lights! (Right??)

It's fun to see lights! There is a big lit up menorah in front of a restaurant in town, why not get one of those and light up the front of your house in blue and white. Where is the bible does it say lights are Christian? Hanukkah is a fun and happy holiday, why not do something your son has asked for. I don't think you will regret it.

Is he kidding? People put up lights for Halloween these days!

I personally think they are only called "Christmas lights" because that is the holiday that the majority celebrates.

Completely appropriate to put up blue and white "holiday lights". They are all around my neighborhood. Christians do not have the monopoly on this!! Have fun!

Life is short--have fun. If he wants lights, do up blue, white, a menorrah, star of David, etc. Enjoy the season and family time.

Interesting question. Will be watching the replies. I personally think it is a way to celebrate a festive season. People put lights up for Halloween, Valentines day. Why not?

Add: Up until this exact moment, I didn't realize that people who decorate with blue/white lights could be making a religious statement. Never made the connection.

Silly question, but do you think your husband is just saying that so he doesn't have to physically put the lights up? lol. Maybe not, but it's a thought. I love Christmas lights, but my husband has no desire to get on a ladder and string them up. I settle for a fantastic evening driving around and touring other people's beautiful lights. Maybe that could work this year?

Sorry, but I have to side with your husband on this one. I'm Jewish and grew up without lights/trees. My son will do the same. To my family, it is an issue of assimilation. If you want kids to understand that being Jewish is different from being Christian (not better, but different), and that we have our own unique (and fun!) celebrations and traditions, then trying to emulate Christian traditions sends the opposite message. Even if some folks rationalize that lights are a-religious, it still is associated with Christmas. Maybe you can decorate your house with Chanukah-themed artwork that your son does himself and get him psyched about what a cool holiday it is. Also, maybe you can take drives around the neighborhood to appreciate other folks' lights, without having to put them up yourself.
Good luck, and Happy Chanukah!

blue and white lights and a menorah in the windows would do it. here is an article from the arizona post. maybe it will change his mind.

http://azjewishpost.com/2010/chanukah-on-christmas-avenue...

Can you put lights in a window in the shape of a menorah and lite them the way you would the candles? My M. was born and raised Jewish and it never stopped us from having a tree and lights. She later became a Christian but we celebrated with trees, lights, gifts, (and her menorah) and all that before. What I think is funny now that Im an adult and understand it more, is I made her several Star Of David Christmas ornaments when I was a kid. She loved them. but isnt that odd,,lol

I know many Jewish families who have lights and some even have Christmas trees. If you're not Orthodox, one can partake in the decoration that comes with the season from a completely non-religious point of view.

Many people have outdoor lights all year round and they have nothing to do with Christmas.

I think it would be okay to indulge your son.

Just my opinion.

I would totally get blue lights. I was thinking something along those lines and then reached that line in your comment. Absolutely!

I think Jerry Seinfeld once said when he was little he wanted a tree w/lights like everyone else, so his mother (or father) put some lights on one of the bushes in their yard and declared it their Channukah tree. He remembers being appeased.

Isn't that why as a society we're going to calling things holiday instead of Christmas. We have a holiday tree and holiday music. Jewish music is certainly included in the holiday music genre.

I've seen lights on a house along with a Star of David.

I also agree with the notion that putting lights up is now done for most holidays. It's not the extravaganza that we see during the winter but it does show that lights are becoming seen as a way to celebrate and not as a religious statement.

It will take a generation or two to get away from the Christmas connection. Why not be on the fore front of that move?

I saw some LOVELY snowflake lights the other day, could you use those? Also, I was reading the December issue of better homes and gardens and they had some beautiful winter decorations that were homemade. Branches, pinecones, lights........ fun stuff!

Lights are fun! We use lights to decorate all year round. Martha Stewart's website would have some great ideas too!

Good luck!

I'm not Jewish, but I'm not really Christian either, and my house looks like the Griswold's on "Christmas Vacation"! In all fairness, I was raised Christian and we celebrate Christmas, just not in a religious way. However, I know Jewish friends and families who put up lights. When I was growing up, there was a house down the road from us that always had a GIGANTIC Star of David all in lights on the front of their house! It was really cool. You can make lighted peace signs, use blue and white -and yes, I've seen lighted menorah decorations, so there you go. I say -enjoy! As long as he understands what you want him to understand -why not?

I'm not Jewish, but I don't see why you can't put up blue and white lights, maybe a Menorrah in the window, etc. Whenever I see blue and white together I think of Hannukah, certainly not Christmas, so seeing your house done up in those colors would actually indicate to me that you were, in fact, Jewish and celebrating your special holiday (plus, just my personal opinion, blue and white lights are so much prettier than the red and green associated with Christmas!).

Maybe go for garland and a snowman... and forget a tree, which feels more "Christmas-y" - I don't think you need to do blue lights and distinguish your Jewishness, unless you want to do that. Just aim for a festive celebration of the winter season.

Why not put lights in ur sons bedroom or around his bedroom window?

Well, I'm a Christian and I don't put up lights. =) I've seen lights put up at weddings and restaurants year round so it's not really necessarily just a Christmas thing. If you want to decorate for the holidays, put up lights if you want to. I think that would be fun. My daughter wants to string white lights in her room year round just for decorations. That is so neat!

My friends have a Christian/Jewish household. She was able to find Star of David string of lights for the outside. I don't know where she got them, but she definitely ordered them online.

My one Jewish friend is married too and they have the Menorahs and other types of religious symbols intertwined within their decorations, which the do but it is minimal.

Our neighbor put up blue and clear lights one year. I wished them a Happy Hanukkah. It turned out they were Christian but liked the look of the blue lights :). I do assume the house is a Jewish household when I see blue lights though.

Growing up we had white lights and blue lights. We also had glowing menorah, my mom really gets into her holiday decorating. So classy most of the year but come holiday time she will scoop up every singing plastic dreidel in the store and any light up menorah that she sees. Go for it.

Putting up lights does not a Christian make. What's important is what is in your heart.

I call lights "California Snow", as we live in Southern California. I don't see any specific religious monopoly to decorating with strands of lights during the winter. Unless I see a very obvious manger or menorah or other specific religious symbol I don't assume anyone is any religious affiliation at all.

The Winter Solstice is a celebration of the coming of more light from the short days of winter. The day and night is equal on the Winter Solstice. So why not celebrate and decorate with lights?
Hanukkah is a celebration of the miracle of the oil burning in the lamp for days instead of hours as it should have. So why not celebrate and decorate with lights?
Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ and his light. So why not decorate and celebrate with lights?
You get the idea.

Lights are pretty. They bring some cheer when the weather is nasty. We're not Christian, we're not Jewish either. We just enjoy looking at the lights and we like putting some up sometimes too.

They make menoharhs you can put in the window, they just have the same lights you put on a tree that screw into each candle.

I'm with your husband, I feel like christmas lights are christmas lights, unless you are going to put up a star of david or something that symbolizes your religion.

My friends are Jewish. They put up those pretty white icicle lights :)

I am not Jewish, but I am pretty sure I have seen Chanukah decorations. (That are lighted for outside). I don't think that decorating any home should only be reserved for one holiday or beliefs.
IMO I think that everyone should be able to celebrate anyway they want.

It is the season of light, no?

We aren't Christian and we have lights up.

My neighborhood is mostly Orthodox Jew and you can play Spot the Goy in December. However, there are some less orthodox folks who I've noticed put up icicle lights for the winter, or hang a dreidel wind sock or someone even had a blinking turkey in their window for Thanksgiving. There are light strands with snowflakes (IKEA) or Jewish holiday symbols (Target, but sold out online) or even just clear/white/blue lights. If YOU as the parent are comfortable, I think you have options if you look around. It IS the Festival of Lights, is it not?

You can also get some menorah window clings or other menorah-themed items for the window to show "no, really, we're Jewish". I know they make 5ft tall inflatable menorahs because my neighbor has one.

I realize commercialization has gotten the better of all of us, but I think lights are pretty and I like that all these holidays share the aspect of lights in winter (Christmas trees, Advent wreaths, Menorahs, Kinaras, etc.).

I was watching The Daily Show and I believe Stewart was right that the original Pilgrims did NOT go for all this Christmas stuff and even fined people for saying "Merry Christmas". Even Christmas has morphed into something different.

you can always get a electric menorah that you can hang in the window. if you want lots of lights, by a few! You can tell your son that this is not his holiday but he can help his friends celebrate their holiday just like when you go to another child's birthday party and you help him celebrate his birthday. hope this helps. If you don't already, start making a big deal out of shabbat every friday since that's really the most important Jewish celebration.