How to Give Gifts for Hanukkah

Jews have given Hanukkah gelt to friends and family since the 17th century, but the custom of giving more elaborate gifts has only been around since the 19th century.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Gift Ribbons
• Gift Tags
• Tissue Paper
• Gift Cards
• Gift Bags
• Gift Bows
• Wrapping Paper
• Hanukkah Gelt
• Internet Access
• Gift Certificates

1. Determine how your family wants to organize the gift giving. Some families give all the gifts on the first or last night of Hanukkah, and some give gifts every night.
2. Consider dividing the nights between family members, so a different person gives gifts to the whole family each night. Or set up a gift circle, in which one person gives a gift to a certain person for all eight nights, that person gives gifts to another designated person, and so on. Rotate each year.
3. Be sure to ask family members and friends well in advance what they want for Hanukkah. It may help to keep a list with what you intend to buy for each person, and check off items as you find them.
4. Set aside a day or two to go shopping, or shop at gift Web sites to save time.
5. Give gelt, whether it's real money or the chocolate variety. Everyone appreciates some added riches on Hanukkah.
6. Reserve a night for giving tzedakah, or charity, to your favorite organization. Everyone can pitch in what they would have spent on presents for that night.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember that gift giving should not be the most integral part of celebrating Hanukkah. Try to avoid getting caught up in the commercial craze of the holiday season.