Move over Purim. . . Hanukkah is staking its own claim on fun as a Jewish holiday that embraces a bit of silliness and play.
From a banana shaped menorah – a Banorah – to Dinokkah the Hanukkah inflatable lighted dinosaur – which stands at six feet tall and comes with a15v blower motor inflation system – (both for purchase on moderntribe.com) Jews can delight in the celebration of these eight days and nights with a playfulness that few other Jewish holidays deem appropriate.
In addition to parties with latkes, games with dreidels and gelt, and of course the lighting of the candles, a plethora of products are now available to make Hanukkah more fun and at times, silly. And the merchandise is available for purchase at local Judaica shops, online, and in all sorts of department stores.
If kitschy pajamas, for example, are a preferred style for the Festival of Lights, kveller.com offers a range of Hanukkah-themed sleepwear from household names such as Anthropologie, Hanna Andersson, and Old Navy. The entire family can even illuminate at night, wearing the Hanukkah Glow in the Dark pajamas from Children’s Place.
Irina Komarovsky surprises her son, Palmer, with Hanukkah-themed pjs each year, ever since he was a baby. “It’s usually on the first night that he gets them,” she says. On the second night, mother and son wear them during dinner with Komarovsky’s parents, Palmer’s babushka and dedushka.
Since moving to Virginia Beach, Rabbi Ari Oliszewski and his family have discovered fun holiday-themed merchandise for many celebrations.
Bringing their own traditions from Argentina and Brazil, they’ve happily added this new custom to family life. Since they light the Hanukkiah each night, what could be better than wearing festive pajamas for the occasion? For eight nights straight, they say they wear their sleepwear with “joy and celebration.”
“Being able to live and embrace everything that Judaism offers us is truly a blessing that fills our hearts and souls,” says Rabbi Ari.
Amy Metzger “won” her banana hanukkiah at an annual Hanukkah “white elephant” gift exchange with family. “We gladly accepted the banana – yet the candles do not stand well without a little finagling!” she says. Metzger acquired her headband of dreidels from Ohef Sholom Temple’s Sisterhood’s Judaica Shop where she has been the buyer for more than nine years.
“Beginning from Rosh Chodesh Kislev, I love setting the tone for Hanukkah with whimsical, slightly wacky holiday items and traditions that create lasting memories for my family. Of course, we enjoy the classics—Hanukkah cookie decorating, donut decorating, and latkes—but every year I try to add something new and delightfully quirky to our repertoire,” says Liba Eisenberg, wife of Rabbi Shlomo Eisenberg of B’nai Israel Congregation.
One of their family favorites is a Hanukkah-themed Trouble game, a gift from grandparents in Rochester, New York. With children ages 4 – 11, the Eisenbergs play the board game on the long, dark winter afternoons, and it has become one of those signature ‘Hanukkah is coming!’ items in their home. The Eisenbergs also own oversized Hanukkah pop-it sensory toys that they fill with melted chocolate and turn into edible treats. Their kids top them with everything from pretzels and popcorn to sprinkles, berries, marshmallows, even pickles and chips— whatever is in the pantry. “It’s hilarious and delicious!” After hardening, the chocolate treats pop out and are enjoyed throughout Hanukkah.
One year, Eisenberg and her family made a menorah out of Fruit Loops and Mike & Ikes. Last year, in honor of the holiday of light, she surprised the family with a laser tag set from Amazon, and they spent one night of Hanukkah playing laser tag outside in the dark. “It was just as fun for the adults as the kids!
“These playful and unexpected items have turned into incredible experiences and memories we will cherish forever,” says Eisenberg.
If the Hanukkah bin at home is lacking whimsical decorations, Target can supply endless kitsch. Kveller.com has
again assembled a list of tchotchkes that will be the envy of every home on the block. Not to be outdone by Christmas celebrants, the Hallmark six-pair holiday earring set should be a conversation starter in line at Harris Teeter. Even the dog can get in on the Hanukkah action with a brushed fleece dog bandana.