Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the miracle of light and the joy of freedom. It is also a time to exchange gifts with family and friends and enjoy delicious foods like latkes and sufganiyot.

But how do you choose the perfect Hanukkah gift for your loved ones? What are the best gifts for each night of the holiday? And what are the latest trends and updates in the world of Hanukkah gifts?

In this article, we will answer these questions and give you some tips and ideas on how to make your Hanukkah gift-giving a memorable and meaningful experience.

The Meaning of Hanukkah Gifts

The tradition of giving gifts on Hanukkah is not very old. It started in the late 19th century when Jewish immigrants in America adopted the custom of giving money or “gelt” to their children on Hanukkah, as a way of teaching them about charity and Jewish values. Later, influenced by the popularity of Christmas, Hanukkah gifts became more elaborate and varied and included toys, books, clothes, and other items.

The meaning of Hanukkah gifts is not to compete with Christmas or to spoil the children, but to celebrate the joy and gratitude of the holiday. Hanukkah gifts are also a way of expressing love and appreciation to the people who matter the most in our lives.

History of Hanukkah

If you are curious about the history of Hanukkah, here is a brief overview of the events that inspired the holiday:

Hanukkah has ancient roots, commemorating the second century B.C.E. reclaiming and rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem following a period of Greek-Syrian occupation and desecration of the holy place, according to ancient Hebrew texts like the Talmud and the books of the Maccabees.  Hanukkah means “dedication.” 

Judea, also known as the Land of Israel, was part of the Seleucid Empire, which arose from Alexander the Great’s empire and was ruled by Antiochus III and then Antiochus IV. Antiochus IV persecuted the Jews and tried to impose Greek culture and religion on them. He outlawed the Jewish religion and ordered the Jews to worship Greek gods. He also sent his soldiers to Jerusalem, where they massacred thousands of people and desecrated the Second Temple by erecting an altar to Zeus and sacrificing pigs within its sacred walls.

Led by the Jewish priest Mattathias and his five sons, a large-scale rebellion broke out against Antiochus and the Seleucid monarchy. They were known as the Maccabees, which means “hammers”. They used guerilla warfare tactics to fight back and reclaim the temple in Jerusalem. When Mattathias died in 166 B.C., his son Judah, known as Judah Maccabee, took the lead and continued the revolt. Within two years, the Jews had successfully driven the Syrians out of Jerusalem.

Judah and his followers cleansed the Second Temple, rebuilt its altar, and lit its menorah, a candelabrum with nine branches that represented knowledge and creation and were meant to be kept burning every night. According to tradition, they only had enough oil to last one day, but it miraculously lasted eight days, leaving them time to find a fresh supply. This wondrous event inspired the Jewish sages to proclaim a yearly eight-day festival to celebrate the miracle of the oil and the rededication of the temple.

Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights, because of the central role of the menorah in the holiday. On each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, another candle is added to the menorah after sundown, starting from the right to the left. The ninth candle, called the shamash, meaning “helper”, is used to light the other candles. The shamash is usually placed in the center or above the other candles. Blessings are recited before lighting the candles, and songs are sung afterward. The menorah is displayed in a window or a public place to share the miracle with others.

Hanukkah is also a time to enjoy special foods, especially those fried in oil to commemorate the miracle. The most popular Hanukkah foods are latkes, which are potato pancakes, and sufganiyot, which are jelly-filled doughnuts. Other traditional foods include cheese, dairy dishes, and brisket.

Hanukkah is also a time to play games, especially with the dreidel, a four-sided spinning top with Hebrew letters on each side. The letters stand for the phrase “Nes Gadol Hayah Sham”, meaning “A great miracle happened there”. The game involves spinning the dreidel and betting on which letter will land on top, using coins, nuts, candies, or chocolate gelt. The game is a reminder of the times when the Jews had to hide their study of the Torah from the Greeks and pretended to play with the dreidel if they were caught.

Hanukkah is a holiday that celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, faith over oppression, and freedom over tyranny. It is a holiday that reminds us of the resilience and courage of the Jewish people, and the power of miracles. It is a holiday that invites us to share our light and joy with others and to appreciate the gifts we have in our lives.

The Best Gifts for Each Night of Hanukkah

There are different opinions on how to choose the best gifts for each night of Hanukkah. Some people like to follow a theme, such as books, games, crafts, or clothes. Others like to vary the gifts according to the interests and preferences of the recipients. Some people like to give one big gift on the first or last night, and smaller gifts on the other nights. Others like to give equal gifts on each night or to surprise the recipients with something unexpected.

There is no right or wrong way to choose the best gifts for each night of Hanukkah, as long as you keep in mind the personality, age, and needs of the recipients and the budget and availability of the gifts. Here are some general guidelines that can help you:

• For the first night, you can give something that is related to the holiday, such as a menorah, a dreidel, a Hanukkah book, or a Hanukkah-themed gift basket.
• For the second night, you can give something related to education, such as a puzzle, a board game, a science kit, or a subscription to a magazine or online service.
• For the third night, you can give something related to creativity, such as a craft kit, a musical instrument, a painting set, or a DIY project.
• For the fourth night, you can give something that is related to fun, such as a toy, a video game, a movie ticket, or a gift card to a favorite store or restaurant.
• For the fifth night, you can give something related to culture, such as a book, a music album, a museum pass, or a ticket to a show or concert.
• For the sixth night, you can give something related to charity, such as a donation to a cause, a volunteer opportunity, or a gift that supports a social or environmental issue.
• For the seventh night, you can give something related to family, such as a photo album, a personalized item, a family game, or a family outing.
• For the eighth night, you can give something that is related to spirituality, such as a prayer book, a meditation app, a yoga mat, or a piece of jewelry with a Jewish symbol or message.

The Latest Trends and Updates in Hanukkah Gifts

If you are looking for some inspiration and ideas for your Hanukkah gifts, you can check out the latest trends and updates in the world of Hanukkah gifts. Here are some examples of what is popular and new in 2023:

• Yiddish Magnetic Poetry Kit: This Yiddish take on an old favorite features more than 300 English and Yiddish words. A mini-dictionary is included. It is a fun and creative way to make Yiddish poems and learn some new words.
• Dash Dreidel Mini Waffle Maker: This mini waffle maker churns out 4-inch waffles imprinted with a dreidel. It is perfect for Hanukkah breakfasts or snacks and can be used with any batter, including latke batter.
• Eat Something: This cookbook is a collaboration between San Francisco’s Wise Sons founder Evan Bloom and writer Rachel Levin. It is a celebration of modern American Jewish life, with 60 recipes, stories, and tips.
• Flour Shop Six-Layer Hanukkah Cake: This cake is a delectable and visually stunning gift, with six layers of vanilla cake, cream cheese frosting, and rainbow sprinkles. It also has a surprise inside a cascade of blue and white candy.
• Jonathan Adler Elephant Menorah: This stylish menorah, designed by Jonathan Adler, combines traditional symbolism with modern aesthetics. It is made of high-fired porcelain with a matte glaze and real gold accents.
• Glasshouse Fragrances Festival of Lights Candle: This candle, inspired by Hanukkah, fills the air with warmth and festive ambiance. It has a scent of bergamot, lemon, orange, cedarwood, and amber.
• Hanukkah Light-Up Ear Headband for Adults: This playful accessory, from Disney, adds a fun and spirited element to Hanukkah celebrations. It has light-up ears with dreidels and stars and a bow with a Mickey Mouse menorah.
• Chocolate Covered Company Hanukkah-Themed Oreo Cookies: These Oreo cookies are a delicious and festive treat, covered in white chocolate and decorated with Hanukkah-themed sprinkles and designs.
• Hanukkah Truffles to Go: These decadent confections are made with smoked salmon and spices, and support the National Wildlife Federation’s efforts to protect nature and wildlife.
• Roman Jewish Cookbook: This cookbook explores the rich and diverse cuisine of the Roman Jewish community, with recipes for fried artichokes, lamb stew, ricotta pie, and more.
• Build-Your-Own Menorah Kit: This kit allows you to create your unique menorah, with wooden blocks, metal candle holders, paint, and stickers.

Conclusion

Hanukkah is a wonderful holiday that celebrates the miracle of light and the joy of freedom. It is also a great opportunity to show your love and appreciation to your family and friends with thoughtful and meaningful gifts.

We hope that this article has given you some tips and ideas on how to choose the perfect Hanukkah gifts for your loved ones. Whether you follow a theme, vary the gifts, or surprise them with something new, we are sure that your gifts will make them happy and grateful.

Happy Hanukkah!