So tomorrow is Christmas Eve, or as I like to call it, my daughter Kaitlyn’s birthday (what better day to have a child of an interfaith family, right?).  We always have Christmas Eve at our house so that my Jewish family and Alex’s Catholic family can see Kaitlyn for her birthday.  I think this is a great idea in theory but a pain logistically.  I wanted to make Cornish hens for dinner as that seemed neutral and I knew my mother-in-law was making meat for Christmas Day.  My husband, however, decided to take over and we are now having chicken parmesan, sausage, meatballs, manicotti and other sides.  My husband points out that my mother and sister can eat the pasta so we don’t have to worry about the pork or the mixing of meat and dairy.  He doesn’t seem to get the “not quite respectful” feeling I think this shows (my Jewish brother-in-law will eat all of it and quite happily).  What was wrong with Cornish hens?  Everyone eats chicken and no one would have been secretly offended.  I don’t think my sister will really care at all but my mother will be quietly thinking “If my son-in-law was Jewish this never would have happened.”

I should have been more forceful, I know, but I feel like since it’s “his” holiday that I have to just smile and be quiet, even though it is also Kaitlyn’s birthday.  Next year is what I am telling myself.  I think I will announce that it is going to be our tradition to serve chicken Christmas Eve so that going forward there will be no more problems.  I am also planning to suggest that some chicken be cheese free to make everyone happy.

I feel like the Jewish Scrooge of my household and it just sucks <sigh>. What are you eating tomorrow night?