HOLIDAY GUIDE
Many jokes have been shared about the complexity
Creative ways to celebrate Hanukkah
of growing up Jewish surrounded by Christian
friends and the overwhelming infl uence of
Christmas come the month of December. Seemingly
everywhere you look, buildings, stores, and homes are
decked out in lights and decorations. But Christmas
celebrants are not the only ones with reason to be festive
this time of year, when Hanukkah is also cause for
celebration.
Perhaps due to its proximity to Thanksgiving and
Christmas, Hanukkah tends to be the most widely celebrated
Jewish holiday in America. Even though it is
offi cially listed as a minor holiday, Hanukkah is important
to families across the globe. In fact, because
the basis of Hanukkah is rededication to the faith, it
very well may be an instrumental celebration for families
who may need to fi nd their way back to the roots
of their beliefs.
Hanukkah celebrations may not feature lavishly
decorated trees or scores of celebrants belting out
carols, but it bears signifi cance for the thousands of
people who celebrate each year. While Hanukkah is
steeped in tradition, the following are a handful of
ways you can add a creative spin to your family’s festivities
this year:
Light
One of the major tenets of Hanukkah is how light
can shine and lead a person through dark periods.
This is typically exemplifi ed by the lighting of the menorah,
which is prominently placed in windows or
other visible areas of celebrants’ homes.
This Hanukkah, spend time with someone who
may be dealing with an illness or the loss of a loved
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one. You may be the light that inspires this person
each day. Give candles to friends and family members
to symbolize the light that will shine in the future.
Oil
Another component of Hanukkah celebrations is
the focus on how a one-day supply of oil somehow lasted
eight days during the rededication of the temple’s menorah.
Many ways to include oil in celebrations exist.
Some people like to get creative in the kitchen, serving
fried foods and desserts.
Think about giving gifts of oil, such as fragrant essential
oils that can be used in potpourri or in the bath
or shower. Working alongside their parents, children
can see how a wick drenched in oil can serve as an effi -
cient lighting source and decorate the home with these
homemade oil lamps.
Twenty-fi ve
Bring attention to the number 25, which is signifi -
cant when celebrating Hanukkah. The word Hanukkah
can be divided into two: Hanu, meaning “they
rested,” and Kkah, which is the numerical value of 25.
On the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, the
Maccabees rested from their battle with the Greeks
and triumphantly marched into the Holy Temple in
Jerusalem. Make 25 a part of celebrations by inviting
25 people to celebrate with you or ask children to make
murals with 25 different adornments.
Charitable giving
Gift-giving is now a component of Hanukkah celebrations,
but it wasn’t always. Greater importance
was once placed on the lighting of candles to publicize
Hanukkah festivities may not feature lavishly decorated
trees or scores of celebrants belting out carols, but they
bear signifi cance for the thousands of people who celebrate
each year.
the miracle and evangelize the faith. Some poor people
could not afford candles, and these people would
go door-to-door for candle funds, or “gelt,” to be able to
purchase candles and kiddush wine.
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