Hanukkah, known as the Festival of Lights, embodies the rich tapestry of Jewish traditions. Families gather to light the menorah, symbolizing resilience and miracles. Traditional foods like latkes and sufganiyot add flavor to the festivities, creating enduring memories of joy and togetherness. Learn how members of the Party City team celebrate this timeless holiday today.
Elyse Jacobs
Why I celebrate: Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah or Chanukkah) is a Jewish holiday that lasts for eight nights . It is also known as the Festival of Lights, which celebrates a military victory of the Jews over foreign rulers.
My Family celebrates Hannukah to reinforce Jewish Traditions and make my children feel proud of their Jewish heritage! We talk about the story of Hannukah with my children. The word Hanukkah comes from the Hebrew word meaning “to dedicate.” Over 2,000 years ago, the Jews won a battle for religious freedom and lit an oil lamp as part of the celebration. It only had enough oil to light its holy light for one night, but it miraculously burned for eight days.
How I celebrate: My Family celebrates Hanukkah by lighting the candles on the menorah and saying a blessing each night!
Favorite tradition / activity: Lighting the menorah, playing Dreidel game, eating latkes, and decorating the house with Hannukah décor!
Adina Corsaro
Why I celebrate: My family and I celebrate Hanukkah because it celebrates the survival and resilience of the Jewish people. The miracle of Hanukkah comes from the story that when the Jewish people returned to the Temple to rebuild what was destroyed there was only enough olive oil to keep the eternal flame lit for 1 day, but oil lasted for 8 days allowing the people enough time to get more. The festival of lights lasts for 8 days because of this.
How I celebrate: Each year we decorate the house and invite all our family and friends over for a big party so that everyone can enjoy Latke’s and playing dreidel together. We look forward to sharing our celebration each year and the girls love making the Latkes!
Fay Feygin
Why I celebrate & How we celebrate: I celebrate Hanukkah to commemorate the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days. During the festival, my family lights the menorah, exchanges gifts, and enjoys traditional foods like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (doughnuts). These are customs that were introduced to me by my grandparents and upholding them means feeling connected to my culture while also actively carrying on the legacy of my loved ones. The celebration emphasizes themes of religious freedom, perseverance, and the triumph of light over darkness.
My absolute favorite tradition is playing dreidel with my family. This is a traditional Hanukkah game that involves spinning a four-sided top and battling for chocolate coins that we call gelt. Overall, it is a joyous time for coming together to celebrate the cultural and historical significance of Hanukkah.
Get Ready for Hanukkah
This special holiday brings families and friends together for many festive gatherings. Check out our full selection of Hanukkah party supplies to help you celebrate.
