While most of the island has been celebrating some version of Christmas in public since the beginning of December, we celebrated the past few nights of Chanukkah at home as a family. Chanukkah began last Friday and will end this Friday, December 18.

Jewish holidays begin at sundown and thus our celebrations begin in the evening, usually by lighting the holiday candles and sharing a meal. Because the main ritual of this holiday is lighting the menorah, we simply celebrate at night. I have made a lot of latkes this week.

And since we grew up in America, the ultimate in commercial influence, we also enjoy the added custom of giving gifts.

I think my favorite gift is the one my husband sent on Monday. He warned me that there would be a delivery some time that day and that I should keep my cell phone close at hand.

At about 1:00 pm, a very nice representative from Edible Arrangements called me and arranged to deliver my gift. I have long since been enamored of these fruit bouquets and have often commented on them. I guess my husband has been listening after all.

So, on Monday night, after homework and errands and dinner on the fly, we lit the candles on the menorah and gathered around the table to devour our edible arrangement. It was delicious.

I was surprised to see that the pineapple pieces were carved into Stars of David and the container had little six pointed stars cut out as well. They actually had a Chanukkah arrangement which pleased me even more. It was a great family moment as our kids munched on melon and strawberries and grapes and we came together after a busy day.

My friend Catherine also gave me a gift that really pleases me. Not just because it is cool, but it's thoughtfulness is quite clear.

It is one of those cool new purse hooks that has become quite popular lately. This one has a beautiful Hawaii design.

She also went out of her way to make sure that it had Chanukkah colors in the wrapping. It's so nice when people take the time to be careful and thoughtful. Kudos to Plantation Home Decor in Kapolei for having the Chanukkah wrapping option available.

Perhaps I haven't noticed it in the past, but this year some stores put out Christmas decorations before Halloween. The holiday season comes earlier and earlier each year. At this point I am almost ready for it.

In the past I have been know to complain about the general bias in Hawaii during this season towards all things Christmas and the almost ignorant assumption that it holds great meaning for ALL people who live on the island. It is clearly apparent in the glaring exclusion of other celebrations in city parades, sales promotions and even school celebrations.

While my complaints are usually meant to broaden others' outlooks and perhaps enlighten those in charge so that they adopt a more inclusive approach when it comes to this season, I often end up feeling like the proverbial grinch. Not such a great feeling.

So I decided that this year I am going to try a different approach. Instead of complaining about ALL of the infractions about which I could go on and on and on, I will take time and space to commend those that are doing it right!

My first example is the United States Post Office. Kudos to them. I walked in to the Kapolei station the other day and there's a large promotion for holiday stamps. There's even a stamp for Eid which I had to look up. It is the celebration of the last day of Ramadan. This year it was on September 19.

I commend their inclusive approach and am pleased that I learned something from it too. They are an example to be followed.

Another recent experience I had was with Constant Contact. I use their e-mail program to do the newsletter for Kids Hurt Too. I was looking at templates for the November newsletter and clicked on their holiday section. Talk about inclusive. You should check it out. There was even one for Dia De Los Muertos, a hispanic holiday that my older daughter just happens to be doing a report about for her Spanish class.

I would love to include some more local examples and plan to do so as they arise. If you know of any, please share. It is in this spirit that the season will truly be meaningful.