I learn from the best

If I had to describe the perfect scene for Hanukkah, it would be a house full of light, love and laughter. It would be a warm home, lit from the inside out, full of children running around, food cooking on the stove and people in every crevice and corner.

It would be our house last night.

There is no other way to describe our 2014 Hanukkah party, other than it was the perfect Hanukkah scene. If our house were made of cloth, it would have been bursting at the seams.

What a beautiful way to welcome Adele into the world. What a beautiful way to show her the love we have in our lives. What a beautiful way to show her that when you put love out there, it will be returned to you.

I may have been running around like a mad woman last night, but I loved it. And trust me, I don’t always love it. Most of the time I do, but not always. I’ve hosted many a party in my day, and yes, it is stressful. I often feel that most of my joy comes from the planning, preparation and anticipation, and when the party arrives, I miss out on a lot of the fun because I am holding down the fort. However, it didn’t feel that way last night, even though we had some 40 people in our home, including children of all ages. Each guest or family brought food and our friends Sarah and Rob were in the kitchen all night turning over falafel, knishes, semolina muffins and doughnuts. Food and people were arriving in droves. We were emptying wine bottles faster than I could bring coats upstairs. Between keeping track of who was holding Adele and which baby’s cry was hers, I was dodging children left and right, and traveling from room to room to make sure people were eating and happy and eating.

 I loved it because this is what I want for Adele. I want her to see what happens when you open your home to friends. When you share your holiday traditions with people of all ages and faiths and backgrounds.

Needless to say, this will be our tradition. Yes, we skipped a few years between 2011 and now, but I think it’s safe to say the Millers throw a kickass Hanukkah party.

And where did I learn it from?

My grandmother, who has been throwing a family Hanukkah party for as long as I can remember. What started out as a few-family affair in her apartment has since turned into a 30-50 people event, complete with singing and the present game. My grandma spends the entire year preparing the Hanukkah party, including buying each and every gift for the game. Is it stressful for her? Yes. But she does it and she loves it. Why? Because it’s what she wants for her family.