Unique Ways to Celebrate Hanukkah this Year
Hanukkah can be celebrated in many different ways with your family. Through songs, gifts and spending quality time together.
A special tradition we have in our family is to give our children a new book each night. It is the perfect time to expand their library and can be a gift that goes a long way. I also try to get a few new Hanukkah books to bring more excitement to the holiday.
Here are some of my favorites for this year:
You’re My Little Latke by Natalie Marshall. From the “You’re My Little” series. This book walks you through the Hanukkah customs and is paired with sweet rhyming text. Ages 0-3.
Latke, the Lucky Dog by Ellen Fischer. A sweet story about a dog a family recently adopted and the Hanukkah items the little puppy gets into! Ages 2-5
Hanukkah Bear by Eric Kimmel. Bubbe Brayna’s famous latkes wake a sleeping bear from hibernation. Bubbe accidentally lets the bear in, what will happen next? Ages 3-8.
The Night Before Hanukkah by Natasha Wing. A sweet and rhyming story going through the celebration and traditions of Hanukkah. Ages 3-8.
I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Dreidel by Caryn Yacowitz. The Hanukkah version of “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly.” Throughout the story, the old lady swallowed different themed Hanukkah food and items. Ages 2-6.
In addition to celebrating Hanukkah with books and gifts, you can create your own family traditions for the holiday.
Here is a list of ideas for ways to celebrate each night:
Make latkes together
Decorate Sufganiyot (donuts)
Dress in matching pajamas and have a movie night
Invite the children to choose toys they no longer play with so they can donate them to a new family
Put hot cocoa in to-go cups and drive around admiring the lights in your neighborhood
Play dreidel and the winner gets to choose the next themed night
Do a flashlight scavenger hunt- look for themed Hanukkah items throughout the house
Have a dance party to a Hanukkah playlist
Make something for someone else. A card for a friend, a craft for a loved one etc.
Invite a non-Jewish family over to learn about how Hanukkah is celebrated
How are you celebrating Hanukkah this year? I would love to hear about your special traditions!
Best,
Tamar
