Hanukkah Traditions

Latke Making Competition  

There’s nothing better than gathering with your favorite people (family and friends) to see who can whip up the best latkes; review these potato pancakes based on taste and presentation. Challenge your group to experiment with sweet potato, zucchini, or even cheese-filled varieties— add some friendly competition to the holiday!

Decorate Hanukkah Donuts 

Jelly filled donuts, sufganiyot, is an absolute necessity for the high holiday. Turn it up a notch and host a donut-decorating activity. Set up a station with glaze, festive sprinkles, chocolate, and other toppings so everyone can design their own donut. 

Cookie Decorating 

Search up a simple sugar cookie recipe, and bake Hanukkah-shaped cookies—menorahs, dreidels, and Stars of David. Decorate them with blue, white, and gold icing; a classic activity that adults and kids adore. 

Light The Menorah Together 

The most special part of Hanukkah is lighting the menorah. Gather as a group and recite the blessings, light the candles, and reflect on the holiday’s themes of resilience, kindness, and miracles. 

Dreidel Song and Dance 

Spin the dreidel and break into hilarious and cheerful dances whenever someone lands on “gimel” (winning letter). It’s a way to keep everyone entertained, involved, and get to know everyone at the party!  

Whole Made Gelt 

Melt milk, white, or dark chocolate and pour into molds you can find on Amazon. To create custom coins add edible glitter, gold foil, sprinkles, or even monograms for a personal touch.

Charcuterie Board: Hanukkah Edition 

Add a Hanukkah twist on the trendy charcuterie board! Incorporating holiday-themed snacks, which could include blue-and-white candies, star-shaped crackers, mini latkes, sufganiyot bites, olives, and cheeses to create a delicious centerpiece for the table.

-Jannie Landgraff