I don't know...maybe it's this whole "Modern Jewish Mom" thing.  Or maybe it's that my kids are getting older, but I'm tired of buying 8 nights of presents both because they don't NEED all these gifts and also because it's not really what Hanukkah is supposed to be about.

But (say it with me) WHAT'S A MODERN JEWISH MOM TO DO?

My friend Robin gave me this idea.  I'm sure many other MJMs do similar, but I thought I'd share it with all of you.  Hope it helps!

Theme nights. 

1.  One big gift that they will share (I actually got on line at 6am this past Sunday morning to buy a Wii--but they will buy any additional games with any "gelt" they receive from grandparents, aunts and uncles.

2.  Game Board night (I chose "Are you Smarter than a 5th grader?"  Something we all can play...and we'll make a point of playing it that night!)

3.  Movie night - They'll get Shrek III, microwave popcorn and a box of Milk Duds ('cause my sister and I would always get hot popcorn at the movies and dump a box of milk duds into it so it became a gooey, crunchy, chocolatey, salty, perfect treat!)  Then we'll have family movie night.

4.  Socks - remember the "Harry Hanukkah" Saturday Night Live sketch?  Yep--they're getting socks--just like Mommy did when she was little!

5.  Calendars - see #4

6.  Pajamas - see #4

7. Homemade presents - we will exchange gifts we MADE for each other

8.  Tzedekah night - we'll give rather than receive

 

Do you have any great ideas for getting a handle on Hanukkah?  Let us know and we'll share with other MJMs!

 

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