OHIO — This is the fifth time in over a century that Hanukkah and Christmas overlap. Last time the two holidays were on the same day was 19 years ago, but before that it took more than six decades.
For one local family, those may be two worlds apart and instead of choosing one or the other, they get the best of both worlds.
Those two holidays are different. Adam Gonsiorowski said, who’s the father of the family.
“The kids will be off school for the entirety of Hanukkah, and you know we’ll still have our full Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations.” Adam said. “For Hanukkah it’s about getting our menorahs out there’s you know presents that we will give to each other and to the kids and getting those ready, we get our dreidels, which is a game that we all play together over Hanukkah.”
Amanda Gonsiorowski, mother of three, cuts wrapping paper as she talks about their holiday traditions and how they bring both festivities in their household.
“For Christmas we see my family, my brother, my niece and nephew and my parents. We have a family party at my brother’s house,” Amanda said. “They come here, we do big meals, gift exchanges and then this year, since Hanukkah is over winter break with the kids, we get to have a Hanukkah party.”
Santa may be part of every Christmas story, but dad said not many know the meaning of the story behind Hanukkah.
“That miracles can happen,” Adam said. “It’s a significant story for the Jewish people taking back the temple in Jerusalem, conquering a much larger and formidable army.”
Their nine-year-old Ella is ready for both holidays.
“I have a long list for this year’s gifts,” Ella said.
Four-year-old Ava showed off her favorite toy and told Spectrum News 1 why she likes winning at the holiday games.
“You can take all the candy, all the chocolate,” Ava said. “The good chocolate.”
Six-year-old Piper has her eyes on a special gift.
“A big Rebecca doll,” Piper said.
While they didn’t write letters to Santa this year, their mom said she has his number on her phone and made sure he knew what her children wanted for this holiday season.
At the end of the day for this family, it’s about two worlds apart, celebrating together.
“I just hope for lots of happy family time with each other, with our cousins, with our grandparents,” Amanda said. “Lots of big meals with family.”