I find it helpful to remember that Chanukah does not need to be hours of celebration every night. For many of us, Chanukah is a 20-30 minute experience (if that). Keep in mind the idea of quality over quantity and remember that the minimum to fulfill the mitzvah is to light the Chanukiah each night.
Further, as much as possible, let's not get into the "Chanukah is just as good as Christmas" competition. Chanukah is not Jewish Christmas and if it were at a different time of year it probably would not be such a big deal in our communities. Instead, let's celebrate Chanukah for what it is. It is a holiday centered around the themes of miracles, light, dedication, Jewish pride, freedom...and oil. It is a holiday that allows us to participate in the broader society through gift-giving, donating, celebrating, and lights. It is one of the only holidays we can celebrate by ourselves in our homes if we so choose. Personally, I appreciate the flexibility of Chanukah. Each night, each year, I can make it what my family needs it to be. Some nights it is a "big deal," and some nights, it is just lighting candles and returning to the weekday joys of dinner, bath, and bedtime.
So, as we all start to think about what we want to do for eight nights of Chanukah this year, I offer you a list of 32 ideas (which could get you through the next four years) compiled at our program last night:
1.
Connect with friends or
family (skype or facetime the candlelighting or make time for an extended
conversation)
2.
Homemade gifts night
3.
Craft night (do a project,
make decorations for your home, go paint pottery)
4.
Game night
5.
Volunteer
6.
Donate (go shopping for
gifts for a child in need or spend time researching charitable organizations to
make a donation)
7.
See some lights (your
neighbors’ lights or more official displays)
8.
Go to a public Chanukiah
lighting
9.
Have friends over for
dinner
10.
Tell the Chanukah story or
watch it on a movie
11.
Make a Chanukah music
playlist (Adam Sandler, anyone?)
12.
See how many things you can
fry (yes, that's a fried Oreo)
13.
Focus on Israel (give gifts
made in Israel, eat Israeli food, etc)
14.
Do an act of social justice
(find a rally or meeting around a cause important to you, write a letter to a
legislator)
15.
Light some sparklers
16.
Movie Night
17.
Tasting Night (pick an item
such as chocolate or wine and taste as many varieties as the night of Chanukah)
18.
Go for Chinese food
19.
Try making a Jewish food
you’ve never tried or from a different part of the world
20.
Give Jewish gifts (items of
Judaica, books, etc)
21.
Star Wars Night (because
lightsabres fit with “festival of lights”)
22.
Pet night (give your pets a
gift, and maybe a bath, too)
23.
Focus on your health (take
a walk before lighting candles, do some kind of exercise)
24.
Build a Lego Chanukiah (but
don’t light it)
25.
Do a “White Elephant” gift
exchange with friends
26.
Attend a Chanukah dinner at
your Temple
27.
Try making latkes,
especially unique varieties
28.
Bring in takeout—you need a
break from cooking!
29.
Have your kids “invite” a
stuffed animal or doll for the candlelighting (but keep them away from the flames)
30.
Go through toys or clothes
and donate items that aren’t being used in your home now
31.
Write a letter or a card to
a friend or family member (because nothing replaces “real mail”)
32.
Arrange to spend a night of
Chanukah with someone who doesn’t have family around or offer to drive someone
to services during Chanukah who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend
I hope that you and your loved ones have a very happy Chanukah!
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