This year, the Festival of Lights looks a little different than in years past, but Hanukkah 2020 was just as joyous — even if we celebrated over Zoom.

Hanukkah lasts eight days and falls on the 25th day of the month Kislev, a month on the Jewish calendar, and traditionally follows the suit of other winter festivities as it includes celebrating, gift-giving, food and quality family fun.

This year my family and I celebrated the most modest and snug of holidays at our home in Pennsylvania. We decorated the home with blue-and-gold tinsel, watched the shammes light each candle one by one successively through the eight days, made latkes (potato pancakes) and exchanged gifts. Throughout my childhood, my mom would prepare a gift for each night of the holiday for my three siblings and me. As we got older, this tradition faded but left us with overwhelming excitement to now be the gift givers and show our love and appreciation for one another through carefully thought-out, personalized gifts.

Some of the most favored gifts in the house this year included the ēdn Small Garden, a Vybe Percussion Massage Gun and, my personal favorite, a pair of Classic Mini Uggs that came just in time before all of the snow on the East Coast!

However you celebrate the holidays this year, may you keep traditions alive as best you can, appreciate your loved ones and celebrate all there is to be grateful for. Happy holidays!

— Haley Fogarty, account executive