For the past month, I’d been under the impression that Thanksgiving coincided with the first night of Hanukkah. I’d been getting so excited for the culinary possibilities – Turkey double down with sweet potato latke buns? Leftover mashed potato latkes? (Serious Eats had an excellent roundup yesterday of chef’s suggestions for the holiday mashup) –  that I forgot to actually check the calendar.

This afternoon I realized that Thanksgiving coincides with the first *day* of Hanukkah, and we Jews like starting our holidays early, the night before. By the time I came to this conclusion, our little Whole Foods was out of Hanukkah candles, so we headed to a supermarket to pick some up (plus a bonus purchase of some frozen convenience latkes). And then we got home and I had misplaced my menorah, so I had to use canning jars. Hipster Hanukkah?

Dinner tonight was a Thanksgiving pre-meal: turkey gravy, smashed potatoes, and creamed spinach. And we toasted with some Martinelli’s sparkling cider. I may spike my refill, but this stuff on it’s own is still as exciting as when I was a kid. There’s Crescent Ridge eggnog in the fridge, basketball on tv, and candles burning brightly. It’ll be eight days of celebration, and we’re off to a good start!