Hanukkah Projects for the Whole Family

Looking for fun ways to celebrate Hanukkah? Here are some sweet treats and fun projects to help you celebrate the Festival of Lights. Hanukkah Gelt Cookies Tired of the same old cookie recipes? Mix it up with this cookie version of gelt--the gold coin chocolates that are often given as gifts or prizes during Hanukkah. You can set them out as part of a dessert buffet, or write a name on each cookie and use them as placecards. What You Need:

• slice and bake cookie dough, any flavor, or homemade cookie dough rolled into a cylinder shape and chilled
• food-safe gold foil, available at baking stores and Amazon.com
• scissors
• a toothpick

What You Do:

1. Slice and bake the cookies according to package directions. Let cool thoroughly.
2. Cut circles of gold foil and wrap each cookie in gold foil to make Hanukkah gelt, or gold coins.
3. Use the toothpick to gently press holiday shapes into the foil: menorahs, dreidels, and the words “Happy Hanukkah!”

Hanukkah Countdown Calendar Here’s a fun way to help little ones count down the eight nights of Hanukkah. What You Need:

• a cardboard egg carton, empty
• scissors
• a posterboard
• a stapler
• paint, brushes, markers
• small treats: gelt, stickers, tiny dreidels, coins, love notes, etc.

What You Do:

1. Draw a hanukkiah, or menorah and candles, on the posterboard. Don’t forget to make one arm taller for the shamash.
2. Cut 8 cups out of the carton and discard the rest.
3. Staple the egg cups above all 8 branches of the menorah, leaving the space above the shamash empty.
4. Number the eggs cups from 1 – 8.
5. Each night of Hanukkah, ask your child to draw or paint a flame above the appropriate eggcup.
6. After bedtime, hide a small treat in the egg cup for discovery the next night.

Activity Jar This year, we’re all tightening our belts a little – and while that’s bad news for retailers, it may be good news for parents hoping to emphasize family time over materialistic frenzy. Time spent together doesn’t cost a dime, and the memories last forever. What You Need:

• a large jar or plastic container, big enough to put a hand in
• 8 index cards
• a pen

What You Do:

1. Divide 8 by the number of people in your immediate family. For example, in a family of 4, each person would get to make two suggestions.
2. Think of activities that are special, but also realistic for your family’s budget and schedule. (Disneyland may be out, but what about feeding the ducks at the park, making s’mores over the backyard grill, visiting the local art museum or playing charades?)
3. Write each idea on a card, fold the cards in half, and drop them into the jar. Each night, the kids can take turns picking out the card that will set the activity for the next day.

Happy Hanukkah!