THE FAMILY

The Wallaces: Bill, Barbara, Christopher, 9, and Scott, 5

THEIR HOMETOWN

Saratoga, California

THE TRADITION

Last December was the first time since their sons were born that Barb and Bill Wallace didn't put up a Christmas tree. "Since Christopher is now nine and Scott is five, I wanted to firmly establish their Jewish identity and heritage," says Barb, whose husband is not Jewish, although he fully supported her decision. To share their Hanukkah celebration, the family has begun hosting two parties each winter--one for friends at work and their kids, and one for Barb's siblings and their families. The premise is simple: Everyone is invited to bring a menorah and share in the lighting together.

Barb characterizes the parties as "totally chaotic." "There are parents running around with matches, kids running around lighting candles, and I'm running around making sure everything doesn't get burned down," she says. The main event is when everyone illuminates the menorahs. "We light them at the kitchen table because it has the nonflammable tablecloth, then we put one in the windowsill, one at the kids' table and the rest all around the house. Last year, we had seven or eight all glowing at both parties. It was beautiful."

With so many menorahs, all of the kids get to light a candle. Last year, Christopher's wooden menorah, which he made at Sunday school, and Scott's menorah, adorned with beeswax candles he rolled himself, were part of the display along with their mother's, grandmother's and great-grandmother's menorahs. "There's something magical about lighting the candles, especially for kids," says Barb, who became fast friends with a non-Jewish friend's shy child last year when she invited her to light a menorah at the party.

"It's a wonderful way to celebrate the Festival of Lights to have our home filled with all of these menorahs, especially the ones that hold so many memories," says Barb. "And for our boys, I think the parties have helped reinforce a sense of pride in being Jewish."

Beyond the traditional latkes, Barb says there isn't much required to make a menorah party a success. She says with a laugh, "At least we've got plenty of candles and matches if the lights go out."