Happy Chrismukkah!

From my family to yours, an appreciation for the holiday season.

In my family, we celebrate everything, and indeed have two designated holiday seasons. The first, runs from Halloween through just after Valentine’s Day and includes: the twins’ birthday, Thanksgiving, the anniversaries of my and Kristin’s first date and engagement, my father-in-law’s birthday (which he hates, so we celebrate it in the breach), Hanukkah, Christmas, Jewish Christmas (Chinese-food lunch), New Year’s, my oldest son’s birthday, my mom’s yahrzeit, Kristin’s birthday, and my second son’s birthday. Then the second holiday season, running runs from Memorial Day through the Fourth of July, includes: my mother-in-law’s birthday, our anniversary, my birthday, Canada Day, and my dad’s yahrzeit. Not much happens the rest of the year!

This year of course we have the confluence of Hanukkah and Christmas. “Chrismukkah” isn’t as rare as Thanksgivukkah, but it’s not quite the annual coincidence that those who lump the two together think it is. But what this means is that my kids will have a bonanza of presents unlike any they’ve ever seen. And let’s not forget that in addition to celebrating both faith traditions, I’m also Russian, which means that Grandfather Frost—whom we call “Russian Santa”—comes on New Year’s to put presents under the tree. See, the Catholics may have their trinity, but the Shapiros’ tree is a cornucopic duality. And of course our oldest, being the son of two lawyers, asked to extend Hanukkah a few days so as to bridge to his birthday. Being suckers for extra celebration, we granted that motion!

Did I win the ugly sweater contest?

But anyway, it’s been a great year for the Shapiros and a great one for Shapiro’s Gavel, with the most popular posts being my confessions as a lapsed NeverTrumper, my takedown of erstwhile Harvard president Claudine Gay, and my reflections on the anniversary of October 7. Thank you, dear reader, for coming along for the ride.

Who knows what 2025 will bring—other than a new president (Baruch Hashem) and my new book (which you can pre-order in multiple formats)! And of course, more posts here. Suffice it to say, both Lawless and Shapiro’s Gavel make great presents for any holiday, even the lesser ones.

With that, I’ll bid adieu and let you enjoy your own breaks from the workaday world. See you next year!