Skip To Content
JEWISH. INDEPENDENT. NONPROFIT.
The Schmooze

8 Hanukkah Gifts That Won’t Give You Christmas Envy

It’s Hanukkah!

Rumor has it that here in America, the land of plenty, people like to give gifts on this special holiday. As an Israeli, all I ever got for Hanukkah was gelt and perhaps an envelope with some crisp 20 shekel bills. But when in America, one must do as Americans do!

Luckily, there is an abundance of fabulous and quirky Jewish products out there that can double as awesome Hanukkah gifts. I scoured the Internet and rounded up the eight best(+1 shamash!). You’re welcome.

Image by Modern Tribe

1) Poker Gelt

We found the perfect way to integrate your poker night with a candle lighting! Got a loved one who loves to play poker? Help this Hanukkah season not be gambling debt season by buying them these delicious minty coins.

Image by Modern Tribe

2) These Cute Dreidel Leggings

Sometimes, you have to be loud about celebrating Hanukkah, so you know, people can notice through the loud din of Christmas music. If you don’t want to go with the usual Hanukkah sweater, lest one confuse them for a Christmas sweater, these bright leggings are sure to tell everyone, “I celebrate Hanukkah and I’m proud of it!”

3) A Zionist Action Figure Set

These four figurines of Golda Meir, David Ben Gurion, Moshe Dayan and Menachen Begin together make the perfect holiday zionist mantelpiece, for your friends who are passionate about the Jewish state and it’s history of quirky and inspiring politicians.

4) The Commandments Memo Pad

For your more forgetful friends, these tablets will help them remember to bring that bottle of vino to your Hanukkah party. “As seen on Mount Sinai”!

5) Dreidel Bowtie:

Is your sweetheart quite dapper? This is the perfect gift for any Hanukkah loving hipster.

6) This Bagel and Lox Ring

Preparing to propose to your Jewish lovely this festival of lights? This ring may not be the best choice if he or she doesn’t have a sense humor, but it makes quite a lovely and quirky little Hanukkah gift!

Image by Jewish Museum

7) Oy Vey Flask

Some Hanukkah parties are better than others, and for the ones that aren’t as great, this Oy Vey flask is the perfect little pick-me-up. Please drink responsibly!

8) Dreidel Tongs and Menorah Spatula

If you’re like me, you’ll be spending much of Hanukkah flipping those latkes and fishing hot sufganiyot out of oily pots. These festive tongs and spatula seem like a must for any Hanukkah kitchen.

+1 Shamash – a little sprinkle on top!

Everything Bagel Salt

Ah, the everything bagel. Is there anything more Jewish and American?! Bring the Jewish plenty to a loved ones kitchen with this delicious seasoning.

Chag shame’ach everyone!

Republish This Story

Please read before republishing

We’re happy to make this story available to republish for free, unless it originated with JTA, Haaretz or another publication (as indicated on the article) and as long as you follow our guidelines. You must credit the Forward, retain our pixel and preserve our canonical link in Google search.  See our full guidelines for more information, and this guide for detail about canonical URLs.

To republish, copy the HTML by clicking on the yellow button to the right; it includes our tracking pixel, all paragraph styles and hyperlinks, the author byline and credit to the Forward. It does not include images; to avoid copyright violations, you must add them manually, following our guidelines. Please email us at [email protected], subject line “republish,” with any questions or to let us know what stories you’re picking up.

We don't support Internet Explorer

Please use Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge to view this site.