16 Hanukkah Gifts the Whole Family Will Enjoy
Holiday shopping encompasses more than just Christmas! Hanukkah is quickly approaching, and as we dust off our menorahs to celebrate the festival of lights, we’re on the hunt for the best Hanukkah gifts for our Jewish friends and family members. But with eight nights of gift-giving to account for, coming up with creative ideas can be truly tiresome. Not to fret: We’ve already done the hard work for you! Read on to learn more about the holiday and and find our top present picks.
How many gifts for Hanukkah?
Like other holidays that come at the end of the year, Hanukkah is a celebration marked by present-giving — but it wasn’t always that way. In times of yore, only gelt, or gifts of money, were exchanged. As the years passed, however, the holiday evolved into the gifting bonanza it has become today, with eight gifts being given over the course of the eight nights we now associate with Hanukkah.
This custom began as a way to celebrate the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem following the Maccabean revolt. When the Temple was rededicated, there was only enough oil for the menorah to burn for one night. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days and nights, leading to the holiday as we know it.
Related: Best Holiday Gifts for Women in their 40s
What gifts are given at Hanukkah?
Traditionally, you’d be gifted with items such as gelt, dreidels, or a menorah, during Hanukkah. But these aren’t the only types of presents you can give!
Today, it has become customary to gift your loved ones with items you’d find on any other holiday wishlist, from the latest in tech and gadgets to helpful cookbooks and accessories.
The Best Hanukkah Gifts
In need of some inspiration for those eight days of gifts? Whether you’re looking to present Hanukkah-themed offerings or prefer a modern approach to gift-giving, we’ve found the best Hanukkah gifts to satisfy every member of your household. Keep scrolling for Woman’s World’s picks for the best Hanukkah gifts of 2019.
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Traditional Gifts
Best Gelt Candy
The Dreidel Company Hanukkah Chocolate
Where to buy: $9.95, Amazon
Giving gelt on Hanukkah is the oldest gift-giving tradition associated with the holiday. The intent is to teach kids about the value of money and to serve as an introduction to charity, as a portion of this present is meant to be paid forward with a charitable action. Over the years, this custom adapted and became a bit sweeter with the introduction of chocolate gelt. Just because the medium has changed, however, doesn’t mean that the sentiment has to! This milk chocolate treat from The Dreidel Company, which features 31 gold-foil coins packaged neatly into a netted pouch, is a great gift that will not only satisfy a sweet tooth, it can also be easily shared.
Best Dreidel
Maple Landmark Dreidel
Where to buy: $7.99, Amazon
A classic dreidel, like this 2-inch teak version, is the definition of a traditional Hanukkah gift. Family members young and old will enjoy hours of fun as they spin this top to see who can collect the most gelt over their eight crazy nights of festivities. With images of the yiddish words nun (zero), gimmel (whole), hey (half), and shin (give), the object of the dreidel game is to see if anyone can land on “gimmel” to win a pot of gelt! This one comes in a set of two and features a colorful print.
Best Jewish Cookbook
The Book of Jewish Food
Where to buy: $34.75 (Originally $50), Amazon
As with many cultures, Jewish culture involves a vast array of food. The Book of Jewish Food is the perfect way to celebrate all its splendor with someone you love, be they a cooking novice or the chef of the house. Filled with 800 pages that explore history through food, “from Samarkand to New York,” this book covers it all, with recipes for essentials such as blintzes (a type of pancake) and kugels (baked noodle casserole), and is bound to become a cooking staple in your loved one’s homes.
Best Star of David Necklace
In Season Jewelry Rose Gold Star of David Pendant
Where to buy: $279.99 (Originally $299.99), Jewlr
A perfect addition to any Hanukkah outfit, this dainty Star of David necklace is a gift any loved one will wear with pride. Symbolizing the connection of God, the Torah, and Israel, this iconic symbol is crafted from 14k rose gold and accented with six gorgeous cubic zirconia stones.
Best Kosher Food Basket
Organic Stores Kosher Gourmet Food Gift Basket
Where to buy: $81.74, Amazon
As with any festivity, food is an integral part of Hanukkah, so gifting a basket of delicious, traditional, and Kosher foods, or food that conforms to the Jewish dietary regulations of kashrut (dietary law), is a great way to go. This organic set includes an assortment of mixed dried fruit, Buckley’s buttery almond toffee, Bellagio chocolate cream cocoa, Fairwinds French vanilla coffee, Alaskan smoked salmon fillet, chocolate truffles, two stone wheat crackers, golden walnut fudge-filled shortbread cookies, Bellagio cappuccino, and a rye bread loaf, all packaged together in a stylish basket.
Best Hanukkah Toy Set
Toy Vey Maccabee on the Mantel Gift Set
Where to buy: $33 (Originally $34.99), Amazon
Teach the youngest members in your family the story of Hanukkah with this adorable gift set! Complete with a 9-inch plush of Judah, the leader of the Maccabean revolt, which saw the Jewish people rise up against their oppressors of old, an illustrated children’s book explaining his story, a wooden dreidel, and a game board, this toy set will become a new favorite holiday tradition.
Best Hanukkah Ornament
Joy the World Judaica Glitterazzi Round Ball Ornament
Where to buy: $55.99, Houzz
Made by Polish artisans from handcrafted glass and covered in glitter and Jewish imagery, this Judaica ornament makes for a great hostess gift. Whether your sister is celebrating her first Hanukkah in a new home or you’re looking for a little keepsake of the holiday for your mom, this delicate ornament is bound to be an instant hit.
Best Hanukkah Bag
Dreidel Worldwide Champion Funny Hanukkah Tote Bag
Where to buy: $17.49 (Originally $24.99), Society6
What do you get when you combine a Hanukkah favorite and a fashion staple? This chic dreidel tote bag! Lending a fun spin on this traditional holiday staple, this bag is just the thing for your style-savvy college student. Available in three sizes, it’s made from a canvas-like material and is machine-washable.
Modern Gifts
Best Modern Jewish Cookbook
Jerusalem: A Cookbook
Where to buy: $18.99 (Originally $35), Amazon
In Jerusalem: A Cookbook, acclaimed chefs Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi offer a cross-cultural culinary tour of the city of their births and the many customs that encompass it. With more than 120 recipes, this book explores food from the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian communities in Jerusalem, as well as stunning photographs and discourse on the many dishes that abound in the region. Ultimately, it shows the true beauty of the capital city through its most relatable element, making this cookbook a most apt Hanukkah present.
Best Daily Planner
Panda Planner
Where to buy: $24.97, Amazon
As Hanukkah approaches, it’s customary to reflect on the prior year and your goals for the new one ahead, so it makes sense to pick up a Panda Planner for your favorite Hanukkah giftee. Much more than a place to jot down your agenda, this organizer places a big emphasis on improving productivity, setting and achieving goals, and, most importantly, increasing happiness! With this pick in hand, your loved one will head into the coming 365 days feeling positive and focused.
Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones
Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
Where to buy: $279 (Originally $349), Amazon
After the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it’s always nice to unwind, and there’s no better way to do so than with these Bose QuietComfort 35 wireless noise-canceling headphones. These industry-leading ear covers boast up to 20 hours of wireless play, one of the best sound qualities on the market, and a noise-rejecting dual-microphone system for crystal-clear phone calls.
Best Backpack
Dagne Dover Medium Dakota Neoprene Backpack
Where to buy: $175, Nordstrom
Send your kids back to college post-Hanukkah break with this stylish neoprene backpack from Dagne Dover. It’s plenty roomy, with a large inner compartment and a padded laptop sleeve, plus it’s got a large outer pocket for easy access storage and two side slip pockets besides. Choose from one of three colors.
Best Blue Light Glasses
EyeBuyDirect EBD Blue Pus Computer Glasses in Absolutely
Where to buy: $64, EyeBuyDirect
The gift of sight is one that’s unrivaled, so this Hanukkah, gift your loved one with a pair of these EyeBuyDirect Absolutely glasses. Built to counteract the onslaught of blue light our eyes take in from daily phones, computers, and tablet usage, these glasses will help eyesight stay strong for years to come. They feature a thin acetate frame, Wayfarer shape, and a fun grey floral pattern.
Best Winter Boots
JustFab Anaelle Lace-up Duck Boot
Where to buy: $9.99 (Originally $79.99), JustFab
One of the best holiday gifts to give is winter gear – especially snow boots! Snow boots are a necessity if you live in snowy regions, but just because they’re meant to be warm and protective from harsh elements doesn’t mean they can’t be stylish. This pair from JustFab proves just that. Coming in a gorgeous cranberry hue, they feature a rubber base, flannel accent, and a calf circumference of 16.5-inches. Purchase requires a monthly JustFab membership subscription.
Best Espresso Machine
Nespresso by De’Longhi Inissia Espresso Machine
Where to buy: $108 (Originally $149), Amazon
With Hanukkah comes cold winter nights, so make sure that special someone on your gift-giving list stays warm and cozy with this Nespresso Inissia espresso machine. At the push of a button, it brews hot espresso in the span of 25 seconds with the capacity to craft as many as nine coffees before you’ll need to change its 24-ounce water reservoir. This machine works with Nespresso original capsules ($35, Amazon) and you can choose from two different cup sizes.
Best Beauty Gift Set
Sephora Sunkissed Glow Favorites
Where to buy: $45 ($103 value), Sephora
With the seasonal change in weather, skin can become extremely dry and dull, no doubt thanks to the beating it gets from dry air and rough winds. So why not add a little radiance to your Hanukkah giftee’s beauty routine with this Sephora sunkissed glow kit? This eight-piece set is filled with the retailer’s best-selling highlighter products, including Marc Jacobs Dew Drops coconut gel highlighter ($45, Sephora) and BECCA’s Shimmering Skin Perfector ($38, Sephora). Guess the menorah won’t be the only thing glowing this Hanukkah!
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