PLATINUM PICKS

A Very Happy Chrismukkah

December 25 is not all that Chanukah and Christmas share this year.
Here, some solutions for our interfaith friends.

Love a pug? How about a stately Lab? The family pet can help
spread holiday well-wishes to all your friends and family, whether
they're celebrating Chanukah, Christmas or both. Pet Star offers
interfaith holiday greeting cards featuring an assortment of
pooches decked out in holiday gear. Cards are available in sets of
six, including envelopes. $10. (305) 233-7722; petstar.net

THE MERRY MISH-MASH HOLIDAY

A festive emellishment to any holiday table can be reinterpreted for the Festival
of Lights. In Melanie Falick's newest book, Handknit Holidays (Stewart, Tabori
& Chang; $27.50), she offers instructions for knitting votives of wire and beads
that can then be lined up to create a jewel-toned menorah.

CHECK IT OUT: A good old-fashioned comedy-variety show, sort
of. The Chrisma-Hana-Kwanzaa Holiday Spectacular pokes fun
at the less appealing aspects of the holidays (think battling mall
crowds) 8 p.m. every Friday and Saturday in December at Improv
Inferno. Ann Arbor. $10. (734) 214-7080; improvinferno.com

OVER 55

3$ • D E c EMBER

2 005 • JNPLATINUM

HEAVENLY HYBRID-HOLIDAY RECIPES

In an uber-kitschy effort to celebrate
"what we all have in common rather
than what makes us different," writes
Ron Gompertz, founder and presi-
dent of Chrismukkah.com , Gompertz
has penned Chrismukkah: The
Merry Mish-Mash Holiday Cook-
book ($20). It offers illustrated
recipes for such culinary creations as
Mother's Gefilte Goose, Fakakta
Figgy Pudding and Kosher Fruit
Cake. And, he says, they really taste
good too. chrismukkah.com