The eight day Jewish celebration of Hanukkah begins on December 20th. Hosting a Hanukkah party to celebrate this holiday with family and friends can be fun, and is easy if you start with a few guiding ideas.
Hanukkah Party Table Decor
Make sure when you are planning your party décor, you use the traditional blue and white colors that represent Hanukkah. Some families make a “Hanukkah Bush". A potted plant can be decorated either ahead of time, or you can have party-goers create decorations as an activity. This is great for the kids. Have them cut out blue and white stars of David from construction paper to hang on the “bush.”
Small wooden dreidels at each place setting can have guests names printed on them as creative place cards.
Related: Celebrate Hanukkah -- For Less!
Use blue and white flat sheets from the discount store for table coverings to keep the budget in check.
And of course, a Menorah is a traditional icon of Hanukkah. Consider using an electric Menorah if you are going to have small children present, for safety.
Hanukkah Fun and Games
Hide the Gelt
Hide foil covered chocolate coins around the house for kids to find in a “Gelt Hunt”. Kids can keep the coins they find, and then use them in the dreidel game later on!
Spin the Dreidel
Dreidel is played using coins and a wooden or plastic dreidel. It is a traditional game that most Jewish adults know well, or you can find instructions to play online. You can even have kids make their own dreidels from paper! Children can either use their chocolate gelt for the game, or pennies can be passed out as well.
Related: DIY Hanukkah Decor
Songs, crafts and other games help make the party an experience where family and friends can share their heritage in this joyful celebration. Invite older party-goers to share traditional blessings or stories. Dance!
Hanukkah Food
A great menu for a Hanukkah party can be fast and easy, and even kid friendly! Pretzels and a fresh fruit platter are no fuss appetizers that everyone will love. Fried chicken is a great main course, and it can be made in the form of chicken strips to make easy finger food, and therefore a kid favorite. Serve traditional potato latkes or potato pancakes cooked in oil, to represent the oil that burned for eight days. Jelly filled doughnuts make a great sweet course. Finally, serve applesauce either with the latkes, or as a separate dessert!
Crispy Potato Pancakes
Ingredients:
2 pounds potatoes
1 onion
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 large egg, beaten
Salt and pepper
Vegetable oil to fry the pancakes
Related: Creamy Noodle Kugel for Hanukkah
Directions:
Peel the potatoes and grate, then place them in a strainer and press the water out of them into a bowl. Allow the potato starch in the water to settle to the bottom, and then pour off the water. Add the potato and the rest of the ingredients to the starch.
Heat the oil in a griddle or skillet, and form small patties from the potato mixture. Fry a few minutes on each side until golden, drain on a paper towel. Serve with applesauce if desired.
There are several good online sources for Hanukkah fun and games where you can find Hanukkah songs, game ideas and even printable coloring pages to keep small ones busy. My favorite is http://hanukkah-fun.com/.
Hosting a Hanukkah party is a great way to share your faith, your home and your heart with those you care about. And it doesn’t have to cost a fortune or keep you in the kitchen!
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