Deena Remiel’s 8 Chanukah Wishes List 2010

(*This blog originally posted at Decadent Publishing blog, 30 Days of Decadence)

It’s the first night of Chanukah, and I’m so excited to share it with all of you! Contrary to popular opinion, Chanukah is not all about the presents. Its roots are based in a Jewish military victory during the reign of King Antiochus IV of the Seleucid Empire, so it is a joyous holiday. They say a miracle occurred when the Jews had retaken and rededicated their temple. Oil that was only supposed to last a day wound up lasting for eight. Hence, the eight days of Chanukah.

Many families hold a few traditions such as lighting candles each night, giving a

gift every night, playing a spinning top game called Dreydel, giving Gelt, which is real OR chocolate money, and eating anything and everything fried like potato pancakes, donuts, and falafel.

Right around Thanksgiving, in our home, list-making comes to the forefront of my children’s minds. “Oh, I really want this, Mama…” and “I know it’s too expensive, but I’m dying to have…” are phrases heard all day long around the house. So what is my husband’s and my favorite response? “Make a list!”

Well, this year, I’VE made a list, and if I get anything from it, it truly will be a miracle! I’d love to share it with you. Maybe you’ll find something you want to put on your list, as well.

Deena Remiel’s 8 Chanukah Wishes List, 2010

1. Membership to a gym and a personal fitness instructor
(I may have a lot of determination in most things, but when it comes to exercising, I am the worst! I need someone there, next to me, telling me what to do.)

2. Membership to a spa

(After I’m done working out, I’m going to need a full body massage for sure. And I could even get a sensuous chocolate spa treatment. At the Hotel Hershey, in Pennsylvania, they have every kind of treatment WITH chocolate!)

3. A Coach bag, must be chocolate in color

(I must confess. The only purses I buy myself are the $15 ones at Ross. And why not? There are some awesome purses at cheap prices there. But, if I’m going to wish, I’m going to wish BIG and DECADENT. I’m wishing go for my favorite kind of bag – the Coach.)

4. Gift card to Nordstrom

(If I’m going to get a Coach bag, then I must have a wardrobe to match, right? And with my new physique, courtesy of my hunky fitness instructor, I’m going to need new clothes. I like Nordstrom and how you can get a personal shopper to help you put outfits together, top to bottom.)

5. A year’s worth of nail salon appointments

(If I am to look like a successful author, when I reach out my hand to shake someone else’s, my nails should look beautiful, like little drops of chocolate kisses, rather than short stubby and child-like.)

6. A cleaning service for the house

(Let’s face it folks, my husband didn’t marry me because I’m a good maid. I’m busy, my husband’s busy. We need an Alice from the Brady Bunch, really, but I’ll settle for a cleaning service every week.)

7. Round trip airline tickets to anywhere I want to go

(It’s sure been a long time since I’ve been back east. I’d love to do that – visit friends and family, go to NY, go to the beach that used to be only 45 minutes away from home. I could use the tickets and go to Hawaii, too. Ooh decisions, decisions!)

8. A KINDLE

(Please, oh please! I want to read my books and my friends’ books and not be shackled to my computer any longer!)

Pretty lofty wishes, I know. But one can dream, can’t one? Well here’s something that is no dream – I’ve got a special treat for you!