Hanukkah Surprises

When I was a kid, my grandmother used to make lavish Hanukkah parties complete with sumptuous meal, homemade doughnuts and potato latkes. No disposables here, the table sparkled with silver tableware, crystal goblets and linen napkins as my dignified grandparents presided over the family table.

First there was a solemn Menorah lighting ceremony, then the meal, and for us kids (maybe the grownups too) the high point of the evening, the exchange of gifts between all of us. This had been preceded by weeks of intense shopping and feverish consultations so that we should get it just right and give each recipient just the item they wanted. I will never forget my brother and sister in law giving me a complete Beatles album, heaven to a 16 year old.

They knew that I was constantly fiddling with radio channels trying to hear my favorite songs and would be delighted to spend hours listening to my favorite foursome on headphones, as my parents did not share my taste in music or choice of volume. I would come home from school, get over with my homework as quickly as possible and then spend hours in a vicarious psychedelic world which was quite distanced from the reality of my life. I just relaxed, enjoyed and blessed my brother and his wife who had glimpsed into the soul of a teenager and enriched it with just the right gift.

As time went on, families grew and moved away, we tried to keep the tradition going, making parties which still included homemade latkes, though the menu changed to the more casual bagel and lox platters eaten on disposables. It became impossible to keep up with the personal gifts, though, so my parents gave out small envelopes with Hanukkah gelt. Don’t get me wrong, money is great and I’ll always have what to do with it but I missed MY present, with all the love and thought that went into it. A small place inside of me yearned for the gift that had been personally picked just for me, after much thought and attention.

Now that I’m making my Hanukkah parties for the next two generations, I think I’ve found the perfect solution. For the grownups an envelope with money and a small gift such as decorated Hanukkah matchboxes and for the kids I prepare a small fancy shopping bag with gifts that I’ve bought with just them in mind. A different present for each one, and some Hanukkah money too. I start shopping about a month in advance and have a great time picking the perfect gifts for each kid. Talk about nourishing your inner child! The kids clutch their bags tightly all evening, and before they leave, there is a scramble to make sure everyone has THEIR bags, containing all my love and thoughts.

Happy Hanukkah to all!

To see more unique Hanukia same as seen above, you can visit