Hanukkah gift exchange ideas

Start by asking, not assuming

Hanukkah is observed in many different ways. Some families give a small gift each night, some give one gift, some focus on candles, food and games, and some give no gifts at all. A mixed group, such as a team, will include people who observe in all those ways, and people who do not observe at all.

So before you plan anything, ask the people who celebrate how they would like a gift swap to work. If you are not Jewish and are organizing for a Jewish friend, family member or coworker, ask them rather than guessing. Their answer is the plan.

When is Hanukkah, and what are the eight nights?

Hanukkah lasts eight nights and begins at sundown. Because it follows the Hebrew calendar, the dates move around the December calendar from year to year, so check a current Jewish calendar before you set a swap date. Candles on the menorah are lit each night, one more each time.

That structure is what makes an exchange flexible. You can place the swap on any night, or run small things across all eight.

Ways a gift exchange can fit Hanukkah

• One-night swap: draw names, set a budget, and exchange on a single evening that suits everyone.
• Eight small gifts: each person gives their match one small item per night, such as chocolate gelt, a candle, a snack or a note. Keep the total fair.
• One gift plus seven notes: a single real gift and a short kind message on the other nights.
• White elephant style: a stealing game with funny or useful gifts at a party. Our white elephant rules page has a printable version.
• Charity swap: each person picks a cause that fits their match and donates a set amount in their name.

Draw names for your group in seconds. People join from one link, with no app or signup. Create your group, free

Gift ideas by budget

Keep a budget that everyone can afford and write it in the invite. For more price-point ideas see Secret Santa gifts under $25 and gifts under $10; most of those ideas work for any holiday.

How to name the event so everyone feels welcome

Call it what your group actually celebrates. If it is a team event across several holidays, use a neutral name such as holiday gift swap or winter gift exchange, and see non-Christmas gift exchange. If it is specifically a Hanukkah party, name it that. Avoid Santa imagery on an invite for a Hanukkah event.

Do not ask a Jewish coworker to teach the whole office about the holiday. Offer, and let them lead if they want to.

Running it online

Create a group with a budget and a swap date at the top, send one link, and let people type a first name to join. Hollyhush is free for up to 50 people and needs no app, account or email. Names are drawn without the organizer seeing matches, and anonymous chat lets people ask about favorites. You can use the Secret Santa generator and simply rename the event to fit your group. Plan the timeline with the planning timeline.