The countdown to Hanukkah has officially begun, and if you are anything like me, you’ve probably been doing Hanukkah shopping in dribs and drabs over the past few weeks. I truly enjoy giving gifts, big or small, which is why I wanted to share some of my favorite ideas for Hanukkah presents this year.
Latke-Scented Candle
I’ve been a big fan of Homesick candles for years, ever since someone gifted one to me! I can personally attest that they last a long time, and this Latkes and Light scent is warm, sweet and inviting for the winter months. It’s a fun gift to bring to a Hanukkah gathering, or just for the candle lover in your life.
Pickle-Scented Candle
I don’t know if anyone actually wants their house to smell like a jar of freshly opened pickles, but any pickle lover will enjoy this silly gift.
Dark Chocolate and Sea Salt Halva
Everything Seed & Mill makes, from their dark chocolate and sea salt halva to their freshly ground tahini, is absolutely perfect and makes a wonderful gift. Check out the unique gift sets they offer on their website, too.
Halva-Crusted Allmonds
Halva-crusted nuts are more addictive than potato chips. A rich, crunchy, nutty bite, I am powerless in their presence. They would make a wonderful gift for anyone who loves halva, or just loves to nosh.
Wissotzky Tea Box
I absolutely love Wissotzky tea, and I also love a good tea box.This selection for under $15 is a really lovely hostess gift for the holiday season. If you want to give a larger or slightly more elevated box, check out this one. Or if you just want to give a real wooden tea box sans tea, I use a bamboo one like this every day at home (I told my husband to buy it for me, and he listened). It feels special every time I select a tea to drink.
Hanukkah Treat Boxes
I love giving food gifts: cookies, rugelach, banana bread, you name it! Packing them up in a festive Hanukkah gift box or treat bag is the perfect way to share a little bite of homemade Hanukkah deliciousness with your friends and family.
Latke Blanket
Is there anything that says “I love you a latke” better than a snuggly latke blanket? My only question is: does it smell like an actual latke? Grab one of these cozy blankets from Modern Tribe.
Latke Pan Menorah
I’m a sucker for a kitschy menorah, and a latke-themed menorah is peak Hanukkah silliness. I love this one – sorry not sorry.
Donut Menorah
Please see above.
The Funniest Jewish Mother Mug
You can probably think of about 17 people to buy this mug for. It’s funny ’cause it’s true.
Le Creuset Dutch Oven (for brisket!)
A good Dutch oven will last years and years, and a Le Creuset is the perfect, heavy duty vessel for holiday brisket. You can use it on the stove top or in the oven, and a large one means the whole brisket fits easily. It’s also great for stews, soups and even sourdough bread.
Silicone Baking Mat (for challah! And hamantaschen!)
I cannot live without my silicone rolling mat for challah, babka, kreplach, hamantaschen, pies, rugelach and so many other baking projects. Because all the mess is happening on the baking mat, clean up is so much easier, and because its made of silicone, it rinses clean without a lot of scrubbing.
Modern Jewish Comfort Food
Of course I think my second cookbook, “Modern Jewish Comfort Food,” would make a wonderful gift at any time of year – not least because it’s chock-full of 100 easy-to-follow, comforting recipes. But it’s also a perfect Hanukkah gift because it has an entire chapter on latkes!
Honey Cake and Latkes Cookbook
“Honey Cake & Latkes: Recipes from the Old World by the Auschwitz-Birkenau Survivors” is one of the most beautiful and special cookbooks I have seen in a long time. For those who love history and who want to celebrate the spirit and perseverance of the Jewish people, this is a book that will bring you joy, hope and delicious recipes to continue to pass down.
