Chanukkah gifts.

[Ahavah]

Just wondering...Does anyone else give gifts during Chanukkah? If so...I need some more Ideas for my little ones. I have a 10 year old boy..and a 2 year old little girl. E-bay has been helpful..but....I need more ideas. Todah...only me..Ahavah

[Sephania]

I just bought a whole box of gelt at the supermarket last night, I feel a little guilty ( I hope they had more in the back) but I am having about 4-5 little dinner parties during the week. Also they had these wonderful hanukkah cookie cutters with the letters, menorah and a dreideland I got the last set. :) They also had a little maze type wooden puzzle, you know the kind where you trace the little silver ball around and try not to drop it in the wrong hole? I got one of those for one of my little guests coming.

How about you buy them journals and decorate them yourself ( are you good with crafts?) and write on the front "Miracles". Tell them that is the place for them to write about the little miracles in their lives that HaShem does for them. After hearing the Hanukkah story you can explain that not all miracles are as grand, but even little ones are wonderful gifts from above!

:)

[Sephania]

Also many Messianics view Hanukkah as a time for rededication of their Holy temples unto the L-RD. You can give them a lesson on the Temple, there are even models you can buy out there that they can put together and then explain to them how we are the temple now of G-ds Spirit and how we need to keep it clean and take proper care of it. Let me go see what I can find for you.

[Ahavah]

You have some really good ideas Zayit. So far..I've only purchased a Chanukah Bear for my little girl..and a spy book for my little boy. Yeah..I know that has nothing to do with Chanukah..but that's why I needed some ideas. Todah for your help. Ahavah

[Sephania]

Here you can go on a tour of the tabernacle and Solomons temple

http://www3.telus.net/public/kstam/en/default.htm

This had a great set of tabernacle and temple videos that help explain it all, also includes a model of the tabernacle. http://www.visionvideo.com/111-1111111-1111111_3311.vhtml

Here we go, a book with a cut out model of the temple http://houseofjames.com/product_0825424607

[By Grace]

This isn't really a gift, but it's a starting point. My family is going to start a scrapbook. We'll each select a passage, then we'll assign one passage to each night. That way, we're all reading something that's special to our family on the same night, even if we're in different states. When we get together next weekend, we'll list all the passages in our scrapbook, along with other tidbits, then we can do the same thing next year. As the kids get older, they can pick passages, too. Eventually, it should be a really neat heirloom for the next generation.

[Sephania]

You are welcome Ahavah! share with us later how it went!

:)

[Ahavah]

I checked out those sites..and they were really helpful. I'd like to have my ben build a temple during Chanukkah..but gosh..they are kindof pricey..and they won't be shipped in time. I'm thinking..maybe my Hubby could still build one with his building talents..and he could still show our son about the Temple of Solomon. Just a thought....

[Shimshon]

hmmmmmmmmm:scratch: ;)

[Bon]

This will be my first Chanukah with my family.

I have bought and made little bags filled with chocolate gold coins which my son and I will give to all the kids at our playgroup next week. (mostly from christian families)

We have an invalid friend who we will give a gift basket of food to, to teach our son that it is so much more special to give gifts to those in need, than to receive them.

We are keeping it pretty simple for our first Chanukah and will learn as we go.

As for our son, we will give him small gifts each night, a book, a bag of gelt.

But I really like the idea of Zayit's journal and Jill's scrap book. I think I will do this when my son is a little older (only 2 1/2 now), and can actively participate in these ideas without major dramas. :)

Shalom from Bon

[Henaynei]

the gifts of Khanukah were originally given to the teachers in the community - in honor of the teachers of Torah who risked and sacrificed their lives to teach Torah when it was a capital offense to do so -- this is also where the dreidel comes from......

it has not been until the secualrization of the jewish community and the inevitable "christmas envy," that Jews without their anchor in HaShem and Torah get, that Khanukah has become a rival in gift giving to christmas......

we don't give our children anything at Khanukah..... purim, yes, other times, yes, Khanukah, no.......... did one year only - gave some small gifts related to school, like erasers and pencils - one each night, and on the final night a box to keep them in - we focused much more on the history, message and traditions of Khanukah and left christmas behind us........ :)

[By Grace]

we focused much more on the history, message and traditions of Khanukah and left christmas behind us........ :)
I'd love to do this--this year, though, I'm just hoping I can take some of the "Christmas" presents and write "Happy Hanukkah" on the tag. :sigh:

[Henaynei]

I'd love to do this--this year, though, I'm just hoping I can take some of the "Christmas" presents and write "Happy Hanukkah" on the tag. :sigh:easy does it.... consistant little moves...... finishes the race..... the best and most consistant advice you'll get from others in MJism is don't worry about becoming "super-observant" within the first 15 years..... those that do burn out and turn away - you don't expect your youngsters to read Ayn Rand after thye have conqured their first Little Golden Book, neither place unrealistic expectations on yourslef or your family ;)

Just relax and enjoy HaShem as you enjoy His festivals and the new meaning they bring tp your relationship!!!