26 Best Hanukkah Gifts for Eight Great Nights
Updated: Dec. 19, 2022Whether you pass out eight small gifts or one big one, we have loads of fabulous Hanukkah gifts for everyone on your list.
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Whether you call it Hanukkah or Chanukah, you’ll agree it’s one of the most fun and inspirational holidays on the Jewish calendar. Also known as the Festival of Lights, the holiday includes traditions such as nightly candle-lighting, yummy fried foods like potato latkes, dreidel games and gifts. So. Many. Gifts. For some families, Hanukkah presents are given only to children. Others exchange on not one night, but on all eight nights of the celebration.
That’s a lot of presents to buy, which means you’ll need a lot of gift ideas. There’s one thing to remember when shopping for Hanukkah: Buy with heart. Sure, a big tech gift is always amazing, but Hanukkah also provides an opportunity to be thoughtful with small but meaningful picks. Try not to stress too much—after all, if you don’t get it right on the first night, there are seven more tries. These handmade gifts, personalized gifts, gifts for men, women and kids are sure to be a hit.
When is Hanukkah?
Fun Hanukkah fact: The holiday is always changing dates. This year, Hanukkah begins at sundown on Sunday, December 18 and lasts through sundown on Monday, December 26. That grants eight nights worth of celebration.
Why do we give gifts on Hanukkah?
Interestingly enough, giving gifts is something of an American Jewish phenomenon, rather than part of the original holiday. Traditionally, gifts were monetary and in the form of Hanukkah “gelt,” the Yiddish word for money. That segued to chocolate gelt coins, spinning the four-sided top known as the dreidel to win gelt and other ways of exchanging small amounts of money. But as it is now, Hanukkah is a holiday to exchange gifts with friends and family members of all ages. Everyone interprets the customs differently, so there are no hard and fast rules as to when to give gifts or when to open them—it’s all up to you and your family.
For the procrastinator: Zion Judaica Hanukkah Value Kit
Not everyone prepares in advance for the holidays. Luckily, this thoughtful essentials kit helps with last-minute Hanukkah gifts. It includes a full-size menorah, 44 colorful candles, six dreidels and a sack of milk chocolate Belgian Hanukkah coins (also known as gelt). There’s also a handy booklet, which explains the history of Hanukkah, its traditions and blessings. It’s particularly helpful if you have people of other religions celebrating the holiday with you!
For the HGTV fan: Rite Lite Premium Chanukah Candles
Home design aficionados will want stylish candles to light their Hanukkah menorah. These stunning blue and white candles have an intricate design that looks like fine porcelain and jazzes up any tablescape. A portion of sales are donated to the Jewish National Fund, making this a noteworthy gift that gives back.
For the foodie: La Tourangelle Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Some light the Hanukkah menorah using olive oil, or you can reserve it for the potato latkes, donuts or olive oil cake. Either way, gift your favorite foodie this cold-pressed organic olive oil as a nod to the holiday tradition.
For the host: Lauchuh Serving Stand and Platters
Whether they’ll be displaying all the donuts (also known by the Hebrew word “sufganiyot”) for a house full of company or just staging them for an Instagram photo, this serving stand comes in handy. A collapsible rack means it won’t take up too much room in the cupboards and bright white porcelain trays complement a range of kitchen decor.
For the backyard enthusiast: Enbrighten LED Smart Café Lights
Hanukkah is all about adding some light to our lives, so it seems appropriate to buy Hanukkah gifts to to brighten up a space. These smart lights feature 24 bulbs that change colors (choose from 56 shades!) via a WiFi or Bluetooth connection, or voice activation when paired with Amazon Alexa or Google Home. The brand promises “guaranteed lighting for life,” so these LEDs are sure to shine for generations to come. Consider them as gifts for neighbors who you celebrate the holidays with, too.
For your favorite niece or nephew: The Mensch on a Bench
Moshe the Mensch made his first public appearance on Shark Tank in 2014, and he’s been a Hanukkah favorite ever since. In addition to teaching the importance of the holiday, Moshe and his family are on a mission to inspire others to be mensches (good and honorable people), and to bring fun and laughter to families. It’s a sweet gift for toddlers still learning the meaning of the holiday.
For the foodie family: Dash Dreidel Waffle Maker
Looking for gifts for teens to get them involved in the holiday festivities? You can’t go wrong with Hanukkah gifts that revolve around food, especially scrumptious waffles. Dash’s bright blue mini waffle maker churns out creations with a dreidel design on one side, but it isn’t just for waffles. Consider loading it with donut batter for an extra festive take on the classic Hanukkah dish.
For the fan of modern decor: Atomic Avocado 3D Mid Century Modern Sign
No fire needed here! Display this handmade acrylic 3D sign inside or outdoors. You can also customize the text and colors to suit anyone’s style. After working as a funeral director for 20 years, Etsy shop owner Holly Whittington says she “gained great respect for all religions and faiths” and creates designs “that are inclusive to all faiths and help celebrate time-honored traditions in a dynamic, unique way.”
For the nosher: Harry & David Eight Nights of Hanukkah Gift
This Star of David-shaped box is filled with everything from chocolate to fruit to brownies. Each night, the recipient opens a part of the container to reveal a new kosher treat. It’s one of those Hanukkah gifts the entire family can enjoy. It’s also a thoughtful hostess gift they can serve at the holiday shindig.
For the DIYer: Wax Buffalo Custom Candle
While Hanukkah is all about lighting candles, scented candles aren’t generally part of the celebrations—but they should be! Treat the person who is difficult to shop for to a candle that they can design and build with the style and scent of their choice.
For the zen friend: Keraclay Stoneware Menorah Set
There’s something wonderfully peaceful about lighting a candle in ascending order each night until you reach eight. This menorah isn’t ornate, but rather looks like the peaceful stones you might stack on a journey to inner peace, Hanukkah style. The individual holders, which are handmade from speckled clay in Brooklyn, doubles as year-round decor. Want to try your hand at a little DIY? Check out these ideas for handmade gifts.
For the Martha Stewart wannabe: The Holiday Aisle Hanukkah Tablecloth
Some people need every element of their table to be perfect, and this geometric dreidel-print tablecloth will do the trick. The best part? It’s wrinkle-resistant, lightweight and stain-resistant for inevitable messes during family dinners.
For the jewelry collector: 14K Gold Star of David Necklace
Not all gold stars are created equal. If you want to show your appreciation while also celebrating their heritage, consider this sweet and sparkly Star of David necklace. It’s available in gold, rose gold and white gold finishes, and 11 different lengths (14 to 24-inches).
For the entertainer: Pottery Barn Happy Hanukkah Doormat
No one will have to wonder where the party is this year! This eco-friendly and mildew-resistant doormat sets the mood before they even set foot inside. Plus, it’ll act as a subtle reminder for guests to wipe off their grimy shoes and boots before heading indoors.
For the oenophile: Pottery Barn Hanukkah Medallion Wine Bag
Anyone can bring a bottle of wine to a party, but bringing a fine vintage nestled in this stunning reusable cotton and linen wine bag elevates your gift-giving cred. It features an intricate blue and white design centered around a subtle Star of David. Pair the tote with more Hanukkah gifts for wine lovers to win best guest, ever.
For the homebody: BedHead Palm Springs Pajama Set
You may not be able to gift a tropical vacation this season, but we’ll pretend this Palm Springs-inspired pajama set is the next best thing. He’ll definitely get wear out of the soft gray jersey henley top, and the playful printed shorts are perfect for lounging at home (and dreaming of a warm getaway). Looking for cozy PJs for ladies? These are the best flannel pajamas for women.
For the glam decorator: Sudha Pennathur Menorah Doorknocker
When traditional holiday decorations won’t due, this sparkly pillow doorknocker is a show-stopping piece so beautiful she’ll be tempted to leave it up year-round. The luxurious accessory features lush velvet and glass beads for the perfect amount of bling.
For those with a sweet tooth: Sugarwish Personalized Treats
While Sugarwish started out by offering loads of candy (and there are still 70+ varieties), the brand now serves up savory treats, cookies and popcorn. Simply send a gift card to a family member who lives far away (or to anyone in need of holiday cheer), and they can customize a box to suit their sweet tooth. Pssst, there’s a Hanukkah option and plenty of Kosher picks as well!
For the multi-cultural cook: Jerusalem: A Cookbook
Not all families have recipes passed down from generations. Consider this cookbook one of the best Hanukkah gifts for home chefs who are interested exploring and learning about global cuisine. Renowned chefs Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi explore the vibrant foods of their home city and serve up 120 recipes from their respective Muslim, Jewish and Christian communities.
For the photography fan: Kodak Film Camera
Sure, we all have a camera at our fingertips with our smartphones, but sometimes we forget to document important milestones. Bring this point-and-shoot Kodak film camera—available in eight bright colors—to your next gathering, and that won’t be an issue. Plus, it’s a fun throw back gift for photographers!
For the home chef: Le Creuset Olive Branch Collection Braiser
Want to wow the family cook who makes all your holiday meals season after season? Invest in this best-selling Le Creuset embossed pot that lasts forever (literally, there’s a lifetime warranty). The enameled cast iron design perfectly whips up a variety of dishes, and even better, is dishwasher-safe.
For the well-dressed man: Ox & Bull Star of David Lapel Pin
Some guys prefer cufflinks while others won’t go to a meeting or event without a pocket square. Then there are those who choose to show off their style and heritage with a well-placed lapel pin. This sterling silver Star of David version quietly makes a statement while allowing him to proudly declare his faith.
For the cuddly kid: Old Navy Happy Hanukkah Pajama Set
Matching family pajamas are a holiday tradition. This affordable Old Navy set is ideal for picky kids who only want to don the set for pictures. But the super-soft brushed flannel fabric is so comfy, we have a feeling they’ll happily wear them during Hanukkah and beyond.
For the aspiring makeup artist: Sephora Collection Pro Brush Set
What would an (amateur) makeup artist be without quality brushes? This set of fluffy pro-grade brushes will help your beauty-obsessed friend apply everything from eyeliner to contour to blush, far beyond the holiday season. Best yet, all the Sephora Collection brushes are synthetic, vegan and cruelty-free.
For the newlyweds: Artifact Uprising Personalized Cards
Newlyweds sending out holiday cards will love these unique offerings. Artifact Uprising has a chic collection of personalized options that are customizable with photos and other nice details. It’s a sweet way for the young couple in your life to choose their first joint Hanukkah greetings.
For the chocolate lover: Laeta Gelt Chocolate Coins
Why give out a limited amount of Hanukkah gelt when you can share the (chocolatey) wealth instead? This one-pound bulk bag has 90 foil-wrapped gold coins, which you can use to decorate Hanukkah gifts, play dreidel, give out as party favors, and of course, keep some for yourself!
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