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Let's Dreidel Around
Chanukah Invitations
Remember, it’s the holiday season and
people are busy. Try and get your invitations out early – 3 to 4 weeks is best.
If you have assigned seating for large parties, why not use candy-filled dreidels for seating cards? Attach the name and table number to a dreidel with colorful ribbon. It’s a different and delicious way to tell your guests where they’re sitting. Place the seating cards on a table covered with a metallic blue tablecloth and white lights. Use an 18” dreidel centerpiece to complete the look.
As your guests sit down to eat, they’ll be delighted with their beautifully decorated tables, covered in white linens and scattered with foil covered chocolate gelt (always a tasty treat) and Chanukah confetti. Keep the dishes to a minimum by using festive Chanukah paper tableware. It will make clean up a snap! Roll matching napkins and tie them off with gold, silver or another coordinating color, ribbon.
Menorahs and candles are perfect centerpieces for your party. Use a variety of styles or ask your guests to bring one of their own and share the story of where it came from (a wedding gift, vacation, family heirloom). Place a picture of a dreidel under the plate of one guest at each table and that person can lead the prayers when you light the menorahs.
Chanukah Menu
No Chanukah dinner is complete without potato latkes! Grate the potatoes yourself, buy a mix at the grocery store or purchase the batter at a deli. Wherever you get them, be sure to have lots of applesauce and sour cream to top them off. Keep tradition going with the rest of the meal. Serve matzo ball soup (perfect for lunch or dinner) brisket, a crisp green salad, fruit, challah and Chanukah sugar cookies for dessert. If you’re having a lunch party, substitute egg salad and tuna salad for brisket and keep the rest of the meal the same. Simple and delicious – what could be better?!
Chanukah Activities
Chanukah's not Chanukah without a game of dreidel - it’s the perfect activity for young and old. Retell the story of Chanukah and the miracle of the oil which should have only lasted for one day, but lasted for eight. Each side of the dreidel, or top, has a Hebrew letter which stands for one of the words "Nes-Gadol-Haya-Shom" which means "A Great Miracle Happened There." Before you start, evenly divide up a stash of pennies, raisins, chocolate coins, whatever you like, for betting. Dreidel is played by each person taking a turn spinning the dreidel. The letter on the side that lands facing up indicates what you should do: Nun - take nothing, Gimmel - take the whole pot, Hay - take half the pot, Shin - add half your stash to the pot. Win or lose, everyone will have a great time playing this game.
A gift exchange is a natural activity for a Chanukah party. Ask each guest to bring a wrapped present (set a price limit if you think it’s appropriate) suitable for male or female, adult or child - whatever works best for your crowd. Or, have everyone bring a white elephant gift. This is a great “regifting” opportunity and a chance to get rid of something that you just can’t stand! Each guest goes around the room choosing a new gift or taking one from someone else. This game can get pretty competitive, in a friendly way of course, but will leave your guests rolling on the floor with laughter.
You can play dreidel, but have you ever wondered what it would be like to actually be a dreidel? A life-sized dreidel cutout makes a wonderful photo op for your guests. Take pictures of your guests with a digital camera and then put them online. It’s a wonderful way for guests to enjoy your party even after it’s over and they can download their favorite photos too.
Chanukah Party Favors
For a truly special favor, send your guests home with a delicious milk or dark chocolate candy bar wrapped in a personalized candy bar wrapper from Creations For You. (Note: parve candy bars are available.) A special message from you will leave a sweet taste in your guests’ mouth long after the candy bar is gone. A personalized photo chocolate favor in the shape of a Jewish star is another yummy way to celebrate good friends and family.
Getting together for holidays is a treat for everyone. Party 411 will help you create a party that your guests will want to attend every year!
Chanukah Planning and Decorating Ideas from Party411.com
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