Despite coming from a basically secular Protestant background, I haven't observed Christmas for many years, and don't agree with capitalizing off a day that is supposedly "holy", and which over the years has seemingly lost its meaning and has turned into a gift-giving extravaganza for many.
Without sharing too much, I observed Chanukah for a number of years, but didn't participate in the gift-giving, which is more for kids, and can also be far too extravagant, IMO. Chanukah is one of the least important Jewish holidays. The high holidays which we are coming upon shortly (Rosh Hashannah, Yom Kippur) and Pesach (Passover) in the spring are of far more importance to observant Jews.
Without sharing too much, I observed Chanukah for a number of years, but didn't participate in the gift-giving, which is more for kids, and can also be far too extravagant, IMO. Chanukah is one of the least important Jewish holidays. The high holidays which we are coming upon shortly (Rosh Hashannah, Yom Kippur) and Pesach (Passover) in the spring are of far more importance to observant Jews.
