To commemorate the last day of Hanukkah/Chanukah/Janukah, here is a groovy song by The LeeVees that attempts to solve this age-old question. (I totally dig Julio's suggested spelling, and seeing the "C" and the "H" duke it out with boxing gloves.) Click around their site to listen to more catchy Hanukkah tunes.
Happy 8th day of Hanukah, Chanukkah, The Festival of Lights!
Holiday weight gain is definitely a legit concern, but there's a bit of good news: A new study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that most of us don't pack on as much weight as we think, phew! (The average study subject gained about one pound from early November to early- to mid-January.) The real problem is that we don't lose those few pounds we do gain from super-size holiday feasts—and all that extra weight adds up as the years pass. Get the full scoop on how to eat, drink, and be merry in moderation here.
The teenage birthrate has ticked upward for the first time since 1991. CNN
And the childhood cancer rate has gone down by 20% since 1990. Yahoo!
The Christmas/Haunkkah battle in interfaith marriages. New York Times
When amusement parks aren't amusing—but deadly. Washington Post
Scary fact: Most parents are only preparing to pay for ¼ of their children’s college tuitions. Sun-Sentinel
Original photo via
How do you keep the happy in the holidays? When it comes to presents how much is too much? Every year I fight a battle with myself. A part of me is completely seduced by all the amazing stuff to buy and a part of me is repulsed. This year my family is doing secret Santa so everyone will get one present each. I'm going this route because really, truly, my kids have enough things—even they think they do. But still, I have to hold myself back from supplementing! That's why I loved Mommy Poppin's post on How Not to Spoil Your Kids This Holiday Season. She really had me at "Create Magic, Not Clutter." Actually, that really could be the guiding principle on how to raise kids. Period. (Can you tell I really, really, dug her post?) Anyway, go read it and then please comment on your philosophy!
So we've already shown you the coolest menorahs out there, but perhaps you are itching to make your own? (T minus 7 days until the festival of lights begins.) Forty-Two Roads came up with 
this super simple, totally clever design from an Ikea candle holder (instructions here).
Just one teensy, weensy suggestion to legitimize this elegantly modern piece of Judaica...a menorah is not officially kosher unless the shamash, the leader candle that lights the other eight, is higher than the rest. So perhaps instead of the tack, one might use a long, thin nail.
Many thanks to Forty-Two Roads...now just one more blog to add to my daily reading!
December 4th is the first night of Chanukah! I like to have a whole table full of Menorahs. Here are some really cool ones I found (can I just say that there are a lot of uncool Menorahs out there?) How great is this?
And furthermore, what can't Karim Rashid do? Available in many mod colors at the Jewish Museum. I love this one from Fred Flare too (okay, I love everything from FF).
Sort of genius, right? Now for the Turning Menorah. OMG. I love one too.
My kids would love this one because they find matches really thrilling.
Available at the Jewish Museum. Stay tuned for my candle round-up!
