I always feel like a disappointment when I’m asked what I’m doing for Hanukkah, because the answer is usually something like “picking the kids up from school and quickly lighting the menorah before trying to make dinner, doing bathtime, asking ‘did you finish your homework,’ and getting everything ready for the next day.”
If you’re like me, and looking for inspiration to make Hanukkah special — sure, technically it’s a “minor” holiday but who doesn’t love an excuse for a new tradition? — we asked Kveller readers to share their most beloved Hanukkah traditions. Read on for some brilliant party ideas, alternatives to eight nights of presents and more.
Thoughts about Hanukkah gifts
We had a rule that gifts needed to be handmade (from local small businesses, artists, craft shows), repurposed or experiences (like a membership to a zoo or show). We also would do a coat drive each year for folks in need. —Shelley
Sometimes — if I’m prepared enough — I like to do eight variations on a theme (preferably something consumable). One year I gave my 4-year-old eight different boxes of cereal (the good kind that we don’t usually keep in the house). This year I’m thinking about getting my husband eight different fancy pasta shapes. —Daci
We don’t do eight nights of gifts. We do eight days of Hanukkah activities: make cookies, decorate cookies, play dreidel, do a singalong, read Hanukkah books, eat latkes, eat sufganiyot, give presents. —Anonymous
To avoid unneeded stress, I simply let my husband pick out all of my toddler’s Hanukkah gifts. —Molly
We do gifts every other night, and on the other nights we donate to charities. We started this tradition before kids, and now our kids are old enough to help choose where we donate! It’s great to sit with the kids and discuss what types of organizations to support (one year they “adopted” a lion cub from an environmental protection group, other years they’ve chosen organizations that help kids, help the unhoused, etc.). On the nights we do open gifts, we also make sure to learn some Torah, even something simple, like the importance of ahavat Yisrael (loving a fellow Jew) or tikkun olam (healing the world). —Kate
We theme the nights. Of the eight nights, one is “things you need” — think socks, undies, school supplies. We do one tzedakah night; one night the kids give us gifts; one night is gifts from others (grandparent, aunts, etc.); and one night’s theme is always a family experience — usually tickets to a show or concert that we can all enjoy together. Truth is, they run out of steam before night eight. —Marcy
Unique Hanukkah traditions
When we light the candles each night, everyone has their own menorah. We say the religious prayer and a secular prayer — we each say what light we are drawing into ourselves and the light we want to give to the world. —Rachel
Since we have stopped celebrating Thanksgiving but we still enjoy the foods, we make them for Hanukkah instead: leftover challah stuffing, green bean casserole with fried onions, latkes with cranberry sauce. —Samuel
Every year on the last night of Hanukkah, my dad bought 18 scratch-off lottery tickets that we played dreidel with. It was always the most anticipated night of Hanukkah! —Daci
Our kids love to perform, so they’ve started putting on a Hanukkah performance for friends and family (or honestly whatever captive audience will watch!), usually largely based on songs or dances they learn for their school performance. But some years have featured “original” songs and plays! —Shoshanna
My dad gets us different dreidels every year. —Eric
Hanukkah party ideas
Every year we throw a latke party — we cook up 10 kgs of potato and host a brunch spread. Guests arrive at 9 a.m. and can partake in a mimosa to start celebrating before brunch, which includes latkes served with applesauce, crème fraiche, capers and smoked salmon, my sister’s brilliant chopped Mexican salad with jalapeño dressing, and cut veggies for the kinderlach. Because it is summer time in Australia, all frying takes place outside — which saves us from the smell! —Rachel
We have a giant “Fry-day” with friends with potluck fried foods and kimchi latkes. —Ashley
The Annual Latke-Tasting Contest! Always a batch of my latkes, a batch from the local bagel store and a boxed batch, plus applesauce, sour cream and a “wildcard” topping. Three years ago it was leftover Rosh Hashanah brisket and now that’s mandatory and no longer a wildcard. I made up little scorecards the first year we did it, and now they are laminated so we can wipe them down after each year and reuse. —Kate
We often host a Hanukkah party with friends and do a kids white elephant that is the “stuff my kid is bored of.” —Hannah
