Happy Hanukkah - Dreidel Delights

           Wrap your invitation in an Israeli flag and insert in a padded envelope or mailing tube.

          Have your child draw a menorah and glue a small shamash to the center of the menorah. Pen your invitation wording on the drawing or card.  You also could create the same type of effect with clip art and a computer greeting card program.

           To add a new "spin" to your party, write your invitation on an inflatable dreidel. Then deflate and mail in a padded envelope.

          Write your invitation on card stock and attach a small, plastic dreidel with ribbon to your invitation. Mail in a cushioned envelope or small box.

          Want a more traditional approach? Choose these lovely Star of David pre-printed invitation design.

           Welcome your guest to your home with a Hanukkah banner on your front door or greet them with a customized Hanukkah banner.

           Create a Star of David by criss-crossing long lengths of ribbon across your table to create the design.

           Gather the family to create a garland using letters of the alphabet to spell out Hanukkah in all its many variations:  Chanukah, Channukah, Hanukah, Hanukkah or Xanuka.  Separate each word with a dreidel, menorrah, or Star of David cut-outs.

           Teach children to make their own dreidel with a small, decorated box (a recycled pint milk carton will do) and a sharpened pencil or chopstick poked through so they can spin the top.

           Let the children play with plastic dreidels for gelt, an inflatable dreidel or a colorful Hanukkah mug with a plush bear.

           Write each guest's Hebrew name and given name on their place card.  Or spell out each guest's name using the Hebrew alphabet.

           Let the children decorate blue paper goody bags with silver Star of David drawings or stickers.  The bags can be used to hold sweet treats, party favors or leftovers you send home with your guests.

           Drape your ceiling space with beautiful, metallic Stars of David.

          What would your celebration be without music?  Choose from traditional holiday sing-along songs to festival party music that includes an printable dreidel kit to more traditional, religious Jewish songs to a CD filled with songs that are perfect for Passover to Rosh Hashanah.

          A Hanukkah bear would add charm, whimsy and wonder to your table's design.

           Encourage children to make a drawing of their own menorah to keep in their room.  Each night as the prayers are being said, they can color the flame on that evening's candle.

           Allow adults and children alike to recite the prayer and light the menorah, each taking a turn.

           Let children create a menorah using alphabet blocks to spell out C-H-A-N-N-U-K-A-H.  Glue small, metal nuts to the blocks to hold your candles.

           Give each guest a lit candle to help light the Shamash (center candle of the menorah which is then used to light the other candles on the menorah).

           Dedicate each night's light to a family member or friend.  In addition to saying the traditional prayers, ask each guest present to share with that person why they are so special to them.

          Each night celebrate a different life-affirming principle:  knowledge, charity, family, freedom, friendship, peace, equality and religion.  Buy a book, help a friend, read a prayer -- instill in your children and rededicate to yourself the importance of appreciating the true gifts of life.

          Invite a non-Jewish friend to join you and your family to share in the festivities and learn more about the customs of your religion.

           Make a little more noise as you dance the hora with blue tinsel maracas or small white tambourines.

         Have each guest write a letter to someone who is serving overseas in the armed services to thank him or her for their efforts. Contact your local chapter of the American Red Cross for information on writing to a serviceman or woman. To find a local chapter, go to:  http://www.redcross.org or look in your Yellow Pages.

           Theme your dinner to a specific locale: New York , Russia , Israel , and others. Ask guests to bring traditional Jewish dishes from those areas to serve at your celebration.

           Add charm and whimsy to your table with an adorable dreidel candle.

           Cover your table with a beautiful Judaic cloth in easy-care vinyl.

           Collect recipes from guests (relatives and friends) to serve at your dinner.  Put together a printed menu or place cards naming those dishes after the contributors.  Make copies of all the recipes along with photos of the donors. Send these recipes to all of your guests as a memento so they can enjoy any of these dishes at home.

           Assign each of your young guests with the task of learning a part of the Festival of Lights story which you have given to him or her.  With each course, ask a child to recite their portion of the story.

           Be a guest at your own party by using sturdy, decorative but disposable paper products. The Happy Hanukkah design is colorful, whimsical and will add a bright delight to your table. The traditional blue and white Star of David design adds a more subdued but decorative tone. The colorful Judaic design is perfect not only for Hanukkah but can be used for all of your special religious occasions. Or, add a touch of elegance with a lace plastic table overlay that let's your table design shine through.

           This Star of David bandana not only makes a great gift but works well as a reusable napkin too.

           Take an instant photo of each guest and place it into a plain white Easel Back cardstock frame.  While waiting for dinner to start, have the children frame the faces with Stars of David made from pipe cleaners and glue. Use these as place cards.

        Use a camcorder or tape recorder and interview your guests while there discussing this gathering and other treasured Hanukkah memories.  Be sure to get elder family members on tape and ask how they celebrated Hanukkah in their youth.  These will entertain the guests present hearing the stories while they're being recorded and future generations to come.

        Get a camera with a timer to take a group shot each year of the entire clan.  Send copies to your guests, even those family members unable to attend the celebration. Exhibit the group photo collections in decorative frames around the party site or in archival photo albums at future celebrations.

        Teach the children about the spirit of giving.  Ask them to select one of their gifts and take them to an orphanage or homeless shelter where they can give the gift to another child.

           Allow guests to show their loyalty with this attractive LED pin designed to look like the Israeli flag.

          Let guests fly their colors with pride by giving them each a small Israeli flag bandana.

          Whether used to dance the hora or to wave as they sing along, your guests will love receiving a miniature Israeli flag.

         Whether as a gift to your guests or a hostess present to take to a party you're attending, this Kosher gift basket will be a welcome and thoughtful present.