[Andrea]

I am not Christian and my honey is Jewish. I enjoy watching others celebrate their version of the holidays, and happily receive any gifts and well wishes sent my way.

We light the menorah each Hanukkah evening as a way of showing our gratitude for all our blessings. We try to live the Christmas holiday spirit all year round by helping others in need, embracing others differences, etc.

However, I have been known to point out to Christmas celebrators that Christmas is not the only celebration this time of year and I find that many are not aware. What irritates me, but I bite my tongue, is the Christmas is enough, or the most celebrated, attitudes so it isn't necessary to acknowledge others by saying Happy Holidays. Grrrr!!!

I work for a state agency. We are celebrating 'holidays' with Christmas decorations and a 'holiday' sing-a-long comprised of all Christmas music. Santa wished me a Merry Christmas and I responded with Happy Hanukkah.

As usual in my household, the Christmas cards and birthday cards are on the mantel with the menorah. We will be attending a Christmas Eve lunch with friends today. My honey will make us a special shrimp and crab soup (extra sodium we don't usually ingest) and we will both call our families to wish them Happy Holidays in ways they celebrate.

Bottom line: I am always happy to celebrate and watch others celebrate. It is more important to me that I walk the talk of the season and I do notice when others do or don't.