Jill Zarin's Hanukkah Holiday

(AP)

Christmas might still be a few weeks away, but the holiday season is already in full swing for those who celebrate Hanukkah, like former "Real Housewives of New York" star Jill Zarin.

This entrepreneur is currently celebrating the Festival of Lights. But aside from the gifts, what else does Zarin look forward to every year?

From whipping up her favorite holiday recipes to giving the perfect holiday gifts, here are some of Jill Zarin's favorite things about Hanukkah.

What’s your favorite family Hanukkah tradition?

“Making potato latkes and bringing it to my Aunt Cookie's,” Zarin says. “And for the kids, I love to buy chocolate coins at Bed Bath & Beyond and wrap their gifts with them.”

What's your favorite holiday food and recipe?

“Potato latkes are my favorite. Growing up you could smell them down the hall at my Grandma Helen's,” Zarin says. “Literally, if I lost all my senses I could still identify that smell anywhere. That and apple pie.”

What do you look forward to each holiday season?

“The presents and picking out what my husband has to buy me,” Zarin says laughing.

What’s one thing you’d like for Hanukkah this year?

“Well my birthday was last week and [husband] Bobby got me a diamond watch,” she says. “My birthday, Hanukkah and my anniversary are all in December so one gift covers it."

How do you decorate for the holiday season?

“I don’t really decorate,” Zarin admits. “I travel a lot for the holidays but I do love going to my friends houses with Christmas decorations. I love Christmas; I’m a jealous Jew,” she says laughing, adding that she’d even like to have a Christmas tree.

What's the perfect gift to give for the holidays?

“The gift of food and water, the perfect gift is to give to charities," Zarin says. "As Americans we have it all!"

Her second choice? “Jill Zarin Jewelry and Skweez Couture for after the holidays. When you can’t fit into your clothes because you ate too much, that’s the best gift.”

What are you looking forward to in 2013?

Jill’s not sure what the New Year will bring but she is confident that it will be fantastic. “Thirteen is my lucky number, my mother and father were both born on the 13th it’s going to be a great year - the best year ever.”