Perhaps this year you’ll be invited to celebrate Hanukkah at a holiday party. If you’ve never been to one, or aren’t sure what to expect, here are some tips to ensure you’ll have fun:

1. Be prepared to eat well. Don’t be shy or on a diet. Hanukkah is the holiday of fried foods. While latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (donuts) are the reigning fried foods for celebrating Hanukkah  anything fried is fair game.

2. Know some good Hanukkah trivia. Here are a few to study:

Why do we eat foods fried in oil on Hanukkah?

To signify the oil that lasted 8 nights instead of 1, providing many people with light.

What is another name for celebrating Hanukkah?

Festival of Lights

What is the name of the candelabra used to light the Hanukkah candles?

Menorah or Hanukkiah

What is the name of the spinning top played at a Hanukkah celebration?

Dreidel

How many candles do we light on Hanukkah?

Every night we light the Shamash, which is the candle used to light the others. In addition to the Shamash, we light one candle per night. On night #1, we light one candle plus the Shamash. On night #2, we light two candles plus the Shamash and so on.

Let’s test your math facts: Given the previous fact, how many candles are needed for all 8 nights of Hanukkah?

44

3. Be prepared to sing. There are some Hanukkah celebration songs that are sung after the lighting of the menorah. The most popular song (maybe you learned it in elementary school) is “Dreidel, Dreidel.” Here are the words—try to memorize them before you go to the party.

I Have a Little Dreidel
I have a little dreidel
I made it out of clay
And when it's dry and ready
Then dreidel I shall play!

(Chorus)

Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel
I made it out of clay
And when it's dry and ready
Then dreidel I shall play!

It has a lovely body
With legs so short and thin
And when my dreidel's tired
It drops and then I win!

(Chorus)

My dreidel's always playful
It loves to dance and spin
A happy game of dreidel
Come play now, let's begin!

4. Gifts—What to Bring to a Hanukkah celebration? At minimum, bring a food gift for the hostess. If you’re going to a party at someone’s home and they have young children, bring a little something for them. Here are some ideas:

1. For the hostess you can cook or bake something tasty. If time is not on your side, send or bring a babka set, or gift basket from our Hanukkah Gift department.
2. For the kids Hanukkah gelt is always a hit!

Enjoy your Hanukkah celebration!