How to Throw a Hanukkah Party

Hanukkah, the eight-day celebration beloved by Jewish families,
begins on the 25th day of the month of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar
(the exact dates in November or December vary each year). Families
light candles each evening at sundown while reciting blessings, and
eat traditional foods and give small gifts.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Decorate your house in blue, white and silver, the traditional colors of Israel. You'll also want to display time-honored Hanukkah items, such as chocolate gelt (Yiddish for money) and dreidels (tops for an ancient gambling game).

2. Set up the menorah. This special candelabra has nine branches, one for each night plus one at a different height to hold the shamas candle. The shamas, which means "servant," is lit with a match and used to light all the other candles on the menorah.

3. Say the blessings. There are three significant blessings to speak during the eight days. Print them and keep them in a special book to open during the lighting of the candles. Print out the words to the traditional Hanukkah song "Maoz Tzur" (translation: "Rock of Ages").

4. Prepare the menu. The centerpiece is always the potato latkes fried in oil (representing the oil found in the temple); serve with applesauce and sour cream. In Israel, Jews feast on sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts).

5. Give inexpensive but thoughtful gifts, one for each of the eight days. Some families who will spend only one of the eight days together choose to buy one present to exchange that night. A gift exchange is also popular (see 356 Plan the Perfect Holiday Gift Exchange).

6. Play the dreidel game. The dreidel, a four-sided top, is the centerpiece of an easy game that uses coins or nuts for betting. The Hebrew letters carved or painted on each side correspond to what the player must do: nun (do nothing), he (take half of the kitty), gimel (take the kitty), and shin (lose what you bet). Ante up!

Tips & Warnings

• Shop for menorahs at boutiques, craft fairs, museum shops or Judaica stores.
• Although you can't leave candles unattended, it's forbidden to blow them out. Wise Jews place menorahs in the sink if they need to step away.

[partygal]

on 11/3/2007 I had an great Hanukkah Party last year, I found a lot of decorations at http://PlumParty.com does any one have any other recommendations where to get decent quality (and affordable Hanukkah party decorations?