I found a dreidel in my Christmas cracker

This time of year is filled with everything Christmas

We were lucky enough to get snow, which really drove the Christmas cheer home, presents from family arrived on time, our tree is glimmering with lights and ornaments, radio stations are pumping out Christmas songs and we got a load of wood so we are sure to have a crackling fire to see us through the new year.

And, as is always the case this time of year, Christmas crackers are plentiful!

Just a Christmas lunch and yet, so much more!

Yesterday, Justin and I met up with my mother-in-law to celebrate Christmas a bit early. After handing over a Christmas tree-shaped and decorated plastic tub of freshly baked cookies and treats, she announced she was taking us to lunch. "Great", we both chirped as we gulped our last bit of tea.

She took us to a pub just a stones throw away and commented on how she had been there several times in the past month. The pub, Compasses in Great Totham, is fairly small with two fireplaces, a friendly staff and very cozy. After ordering our roast dinners (me, turkey; Justin, beef; Gilly, gammon) we settled into enjoying a nice glass of Rioja. The dinners were delicious and after cleaning our plates we decided to rest a bit before ordering dessert.

I have not laughed this hard by myself in a very long time

It was now I suggested we open our Christmas crackers. Now, I don't remember Christmas crackers being popular where I've lived. Somehow though, I have a vague recollection of something of this nature but cannot place it.  Nonetheless, they are very popular in England and you find them everywhere this time of year, and this pub was no exception. Each place setting cradled a cracker and after moving them aside to enjoy our roast dinner, I could take it no more!

We each crossed our arms and took one end of each of our crackers (if you can imagine) and pulled. Crack! they all opened and a little toy, paper crown and joke fell out of each of ours. We read the really bad jokes aloud, placed the crowns (each a different bright color of pink, yellow and blue) on our head and held up our toy. Justin's was an over sized bright green paper clip (?), Gilly had a bright green golf tee and I had the mother toy of all...

a dreidel. A Dreidel!

I could not stop laughing and laughed until I cried. When my tears of laughter were met with quizzical looks, I stated several times and with more emphasis each time "I got a dreidel in my Christmas cracker!" As it turned out, neither of them had heard of a dreidel and so did not know what one was. Somehow, this made me laugh even harder. I had to stifle my laughter after a bit because I realized the joke was going no further than right there with me. Still though, every time I think of it, I can't help but giggle.

I don't know exactly why I think it is so funny. Perhaps it is just the lightheartedness of the season.

Regardless, it's quite charming and I like it. Intended or not, this is just a tiny way of bringing religions together. Next year I'll be holding out for a tiny model of the Hindu God, Ganesh. Wouldn't that be the best?!