What's hot for Hanukkah: Gifts to bring to dinner that will shine bright

Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish celebration also known as The Festival of Lights has arrived. It commemorates a time when a single-day’s supply of oil miraculously burned for eight nights in an ancient temple’s menorah.

While not official, the most common colors associated with the holiday are white and blue — the same color as the Israeli flag and prayer shawls. And for those lucky enough to be invited to a Hanukkah celebration this year or simply hoping to elevate their own festive accouterments, there are loads of fresh ways to go.

"Hannukah should be fun," says Debbie Freiser, of Long Beach, who with her husband, Michael, owns YusselsPlace.com, now an online-only retailer, that’s operated for 35-plus years specializing in Judaica and Jewish life events. "This holiday should put a smile on everyone’s face, and I’m a firm believer in including items that are eclectic and different. It’s a very kid-centric holiday and very food-oriented," she says adding that gifting toys or serving-related items are a sure bet.

That said, a host present "doesn’t necessarily have to be themed," suggests Amal Kapen, the owner of Amal Kapen Interiors and Decorations in Cold Spring Harbor. "You really want to give something that’s thoughtful. It’s a light, happy, cheerful holiday," she notes. Kapen suggests avoiding "anything kitschy. We don’t have room for a lot of storage in our homes these days." Instead, she believes in gifts that have beauty and usefulness past the holiday, such as blue-and-white ginger jars, pre-cut flowers in a vase, coffee table books or even a sculptural match cloche that can be used at Hanukkah and beyond.

Adds Bari Ziegel, manager of The Community Synagogue Judaica Shop in Port Washington, "When attending a family Hanukkah party, it's so nice to bring something for the hosts and their kids. A gift of Judaica is loved and meaningful for the holiday. Your thoughtfulness can really be a part of the celebration."

Menorahs to the max

The centerpiece of the show is the menorah, a candelabra-like object with nine branches lit each night of the holiday by the "shamash" (a lead candle of sorts), which ignites the others.

At Unique Judaica and fine Jewelry in Syosset, owner Joe Azoulay sees "a rise in special kids’ menorahs. We have everything from cupcakes to basketball themes to dog and cat menorahs to fire trucks. They’re like sculpture. Even if customers don’t come in for them, when they see them, they’re like ‘oh, wow!’ Those are the rising stars," he says.

Likewise, at YusselsPlace, there’s plenty of newness in the menorah department. Freiser says, "Some may want a traditional menorah like the ones your grandma used to light," (classics in ceramic and metals are offered at most Judaica stores) but for pure delight, she touts a milk and cookies menorah (very Oreo-esque) and another that features dinosaurs. Not just for kids, but equally amusing, a small supply of pickleball menorahs are a recent add to the Judaica shop inventory at Community Synagogue.

Partnering with the menorah are candles, of course, often specifically made for Hanukkah. It starts with the lighting of one candle with a new one added each night. You need a total of 44 candles for the entirety of the holiday, and these are available all over from big box stores such as Target to specialty stores like Yussel’s Place. Freiser says, "Blue and white candles are lovely, and they have a place in everyone’s home. But not everybody may have access to brightly colored hand-dipped candles, and they make a wonderful gift." Many put the menorah on a plate to prevent wax splatter from the candles, and specially designed graphic drip plates are useful as well.

Striking oil

Food plays a symbolic and important role in this holiday, and to underscore the oil that fueled the Hanukkah miracle, mainstays such as potato latkes (crispy fried potato pancakes dipped in sour cream or apples sauce) and fried jelly doughnuts, (called sufganiyot in Hebrew) are generally on the menu.

Serving pieces that suit the holiday and other kitchen goods such as potholders are appreciated gifts. Also in the food department, Hannukah "gelt" — chocolate foil wrapped coins — are a favorite all around.

A new spin

A four-sided spinning top called a "dreidel" is standard at many Hanukkah celebrations and central to a game that sometimes becomes spirited. The dreidel is emblazoned with Hebrew letters that are an acronym for "A great miracle happened there." Players start with an equal number of game pieces (often this is chocolate gelt but can be anything from coins to buttons). These all go into a central pot and depending upon which letter the dreidel lands on the players take action: They can get nothing, take half the pot or win it all.

There are many dreidel styles ranging from inexpensive wooden varieties to modern types that light up, and even graceful sculptures meant to be displayed. But bottom line, playing dreidel at Hanukkah is part of the fun.