My dad, Sam Zeiden, knew when my younger brother Carl and I were growing up that the public schools put on Christmas plays, television was filled with Christmas stories, and most of our neighbors— even some of the Jewish ones — had Christmas trees. He didn't want us to be left out, but, of course, wanted us to celebrate within Jewish tradition.
     

Nancy and her father, Sam Zeiden

Being an engineer, he came up with an engineer-like solution to the problem. He built us a giant Magen David on a stand. Every year at Chanukah, eight days of presents were piled below it... giving our living room a festive yet decidedly Jewish air.

My children grew up with that giant Magen David, and after Carl got married and had a family, Dad made for him a replica. Now we have a 2-year-old grandson, Shor, who knows that after latkes and the rest of Chanukah dinner, it's time to open presents under the Magen David made by his great-grandfather (Pop-Pop).