Interfaith couples and the holidays

On a day-to-day basis, differences in religion usually do not pose a problem. But the holidays can be an interesting time for an interfaith couple.

Say, for instance, your boyfriend is Jewish and you're Christian. Then, do you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, both or neither? Or perhaps you may choose to celebrate a holiday all of your own. My interfaith friends and I are celebrating Chrismakkah this year.

Once you decide how to celebrate as a couple, then you have to decide if you and your significant other are going to celebrate with each other's families. Will each of your families accept the other person, and perhaps more important, will your SO accept the traditions of your family?

Celebrating two holidays may seem like a no-brainer, but it can cause a couple stress if one person begins to resent the other person's religion. This would be especially evident during the holidays, which display the differences in religions more so than at any other time. It could be a sign that the person can't accept that an SO has a different faith.

Have you ever dated/are you dating someone of a different religion? How did you handle the holidays? Did it cause any problems in your relationship? What did your family/you SO's family think? Did it matter?