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Aside from the oil-drenched foods, the dreidel playing and chocolate coins, Hanukkah is all about family. And if your very religious cousins are hosting this year’s Hanukkah bash, it can be difficult to find the perfect party dress. After all, you want to look cute, but you need to stay modest. So what’s a nice Jewish gal to do? Luckily, we’ve put together 8 dresses that are on-trend, festive and, most importantly, modest.

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Florals aren’t just for spring anymore. In fact, they’re the perfect metaphor for Hanukkah — the florals serve to remind us of “days long ago” when the sun was shining and the birds were chirping and the flowers were blooming. It’s the light in the darkness we call winter, providing hope that even as we shiver through the chill, spring will soon come.

Unibelle floral dress, $20.99-$36.99, amazon.com

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Holiday season is all about the sparkle, and wearing a sequin dress is basically an obligation for those who are serious about observing the festive cheer. Take it up a notch and pair with sequin booties.

Carmen Marc Valvo Infusion sequin cocktail dress, $295, amazon.com

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Just because it’s modest doesn’t mean it can’t look sexy. Sheer dresses allow you the freedom to cover or reveal however much (or little) you want, depending on the kind of slip worn underneath.

Nicole Miller Studio, $98, amazon.com

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Much like a swishy skirt, dramatic sleeves make movement in an outfit even more fun. However, beware of the buffet table — dipping an errant sleeve into the bowl of applesauce is a sartorial hazard and should be avoided at all costs.

Maggy London bell-sleeve sheath dress, $82.99-$118, amazon.com

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The holidays require an added dose of drama to your wardrobe, but if you prefer a simple sheath silhouette, a bold red print fits the bill.

London Times sheath dress, $98, amazon.com

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If the idea of wearing a fitted dress makes you break into a sweat, a flattering fit-and-flare silhouette may be your best best. And if color and sparkle scare you, a classic navy hue may be just the ticket — just add high heels and layer on the jewels to glam it up.

Julian Taylor fit-and-flare dress, $59-$60, amazon.com

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Velvet is a classic holiday fabric — rich, sumptuous and luxurious, its the textile equivalent of the plentiful meals that define the holiday season, specifically the sheer numbers of latkes and donuts. Speaking of sheer, this dress have plenty of that too.

Rachel Roy velvet jacquard dress, $159, amazon.com

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Take your love of velvet to the next level with a jewel-tone aubergine hue. The side-ruching is critical to hiding the food baby that is bound to increase in size as the night wears on.

Eliza J, side-ruched velvet dress, $118, amazon.com

Michelle Honig is the style writer at the Forward. Contact her at [email protected]. Find her on Instagram and Twitter.

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