What is your favorite holiday tradition?
That one is hard! I grew up celebrating Hanukkah but have been celebrating Christmas since I met my wife so I love all the traditions of Christmas that are still so new to me - like getting a tree and waking up early and excited for presents. I'd have to say one my favorites is teaching my nieces and nephews on my wife's side about Hanukkah and most specifically dreidel - what it means and how to play. Every year the kids now get excited to play and the games have gotten very competitive. Oh, we also love dressing up our dog for holiday photos. She sure looks cute in human clothes!
Did you have a favorite holiday tradition growing up?
I loved when our extended family got together for a big Hanukkah celebration sometime during the eight days. It was so nice to be with grandparents, parents, my sister, aunts, uncles and cousins to tell the story of Hanukkah, light the menorah, play dreidel, eat great food and exchange gifts.
I'm grateful that my parents made sure we had something for every night of Hanukkah, no matter how big or smallHeidi Lasker
What are you grateful your parents did around the holidays?
I'm grateful that my parents made sure we had something for every night of Hanukkah, no matter how big or small. I'm also grateful for my parents instilling in me my Jewish culture and heritage so the holiday had meaning
What do you want this season to be about?
Being grateful for all that we have. The last couple of years have been crazy but the holidays are a great time to pause, reflect on all that is good and be thankful.
What do you typically eat around the holidays?
Potato latkes, smoked salmon, sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts!) and gelt for Hanukkah Americas Holiday cookies - my wife and her best friend have a tradition where they bake eight different kinds of cookies every year. On Christmas, we start the day with Founders Breakfast Stout and for dinner we have ham, stuffed shells and whatever other side dishes the family brings.
