Chag Sameach! Happy Hanukkah!
Chag Sameach! Happy Hanukkah! The Festival of Lights is right around the corner, and many Jewish people around the world are gearing up for this fun holiday. For many people and families, this is a time to gather together, celebrate their faith, and enjoy their loved ones’ company. Hanukkah celebrates the miracle of a container of ritual olive oil that kept the menorah burning in Jerusalem’s Temple for eight days. At Yellow Bliss Co., we love to celebrate the diversity of holidays throughout the year!
When is Hanukkah?
This year, Hanukkah begins on December 25, 2024 and ends on January 2, 2025. The dates of Hanukkah, and other Jewish holidays, tend to change each year because they’re based on the Hebrew calendar. The Hebrew calendar is lunisolar, which means it’s based on the moon’s position. With this calendar, the first day of each month begins on the new moon. Hanukkah is celebrated on the 25th day of the Jewish month Kislev.
Hanukkah Traditions
Families take part in many traditions during this joyous holiday. The traditions are often what make this such a fun and special celebration.
One of the most well-known Hanukkah traditions is lighting the menorah. Families place the menorah in a home’s window or display it on a table within their home. Each of the eight nights, one of the candles of the menorah is lit.
Another tradition is to play dreidel. During this game, players spin a dreidel, a top-like toy with four sides. Each side has a letter that represents all, half, nothing, and put, referring to the coins in the collective pot. A related tradition is to give out gelt, which can be money or chocolate coins, during the holiday.
Giving gifts during Hanukkah is a relatively recent tradition. Many children in families receive a gift for each of the eight nights of Hanukkah.
Hanukkah Foods
Traditional Hanukkah foods are often fried in oil, another acknowledgment of the miracle. While many families have their own holiday food traditions, there are a couple of common dishes. Latkes, crispy potato pancakes, are among the most popular foods during Hanukkah. They’re often served with applesauce and sour cream.
A brisket braised with red wine and served with vegetables is a common main dish. On the table, you’ll also often see kugel, a noodle-based casserole. Mandelbrot and challah, both types of bread, are also common. Doughnuts are typical desserts eaten at the end of a Hanukkah meal.
Check out the Celestial Party Box from Yellow Bliss Co. to help create a stunning tablescape for your holiday celebration.
Celebrating the Festival of Lights
Hanukkah is a celebration of joy, faith, and happiness. Commemorating the miracle of oil lasting for eight nights when it was only supposed to last one day is the cornerstone of the holiday. Now, many families and Jewish people around the world gather together, celebrate the miracle, and enjoy being together. Yellow Bliss Co. would be honored to be a part of your Hanukkah celebrations. Browse the Hanukkah collection for your holiday celebrations. Love and faith are other aspects that bring light during the darkness of the winter season. Chag Sameach! Happy Hanukkah!