In our house it has become a big deal as far as celebration is concerned, but we do't go crazy with the gift giving. (Most of the gifts for the kids come from grnadparents aunts and ucles. This year we did pick up some nice things for them in Israel though.) I make Lakes form scratch ONLY ONCE on the first night. Anyone wanting latkes after that can eat the frozen kind. I also make dreidle sugar cookies and buy jelly dognuts for the kids (who normaly hate jelly doghnuts but for some reason must have one on Chanukah.) We have quite an exstensive handmade menorah collection (my oldest is in sixth grade and she's made one every year since Kindergarten and I have two other kids as well....) Everyone picks which one they want to use and uses it. Last year we started a new tradtion in our new house. We sent the kids on a treasure hunt to find thier gifts. They love that more than they love the actual presents and this year my kids saved up thier allowance and bought gifts for eachother (which I thought was cool because it wwas totaly thier idea, thier money, I just supplied the transportation to the store.) And then there's the parties. The school has one, the synagogue has one the family has one and by the end of the week I am all partied out but we love it. The thing that realy overwhelms me though is teacher gifts. My kids have 20 teachers between them and Oh My gosh shopping for this can be a nightmare. I'm always afraid I'll forget someone. This year I got insulated travel coffee cups and filled them up with an assortment of tea bags and chocolates. I felt this HUGE relief when I handed them out today. Like a huge monekey off my back. I normally like giving out gifts but I find this to be quite a chore. Wow I've rambled on quite a bit haven't I. Sorry Have a Happy holiday whatever you celebrate. Chany
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Re: Chanukah... its not a minor holiday in our house...
Have a Happy holiday whatever you celebrate. 
