▷ How Many Days Do You Get Gifts For Hanukkah?

Hanukkah is one of the most celebrated Jewish holidays and the gift-giving is a major part of that. But how many days do you get gifts for Hanukkah?

The holiday is technically 8 days long, however, the gift-giving traditionally occurs on just one or two of those days. The nighttime ritual of lighting the menorah provides an 8 day observance of the story of the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem. After the Maccabean army freed the Temple from the grip of the oppressive Syrian-Greeks, the oil that was supposed to last only one day lasted for eight — a miracle. As part of the practice of commemorating this miracle, it’s become a tradition to give one gift on each of the 8 nights — or if you’re fortunate enough, eight gifts — but when it comes to the focus of the gift-giving, most families only focus on one or two of those nights.

Which Gifts Are Given And On What Night?

Most families who observe Hanukkah enjoy the gift-giving on just one of the nights — the sixth night — or they may divide it into two nights, the fifth and sixth nights. The fifth night gift-giving is a combination of traditional items, such as books and chocolate coins, plus a gift that is more representative of contemporary Judaism, such as a piece of art with a religious theme, a dress-up costume or even tickets to a show. On the sixth night, the gifts are more of the “fun” type, leaning more towards the electronic and recreational side, such as consumer electronics, books and toys.

What If You Don’t Have Six/Eight Nights To Exchange Gifts?

If Hanukkah falls between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, it’s often difficult to squeeze in too much gift-giving. And, due to the 8 night span, it can be hard to even exchange gifts on the 6th night — so many families opt to extend the celebration in order to make the most out of the holiday. In this case, if the amount of time available is limited to three days or fewe, the gift giver could choose to give one gift each day, with a larger item for the final day, such as a group of three books on Jewish themes, or a few useful items such as socks, underwear, hats, mittens or a scarf set.

In the end, with any gift-giving it is the thought that truly counts and the importance of keeping the celebration alive and meaningful. However, when it comes to the Hanukkah holiday, the gift-giving also provides a way to commemorate the Hanukkah miracle — and the ability to extend it through our own actions. That’s why having a clear idea of how many days and what kind of gifts to give is key to ensuring the celebration continues to be a great one for generations to come.

Hanukkah is a wonderful opportunity to share special moments and gifts with the important people in your life. Whether it is one night or two, each gift and each act of giving embodies a meaningful and timeless tradition.

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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.