Gift Giving to Brighten Chanukah

As Chanukah approaches, it’s that time of the year when we brush off our gift-giving skills and spread a little joy. This year, more than ever, gift your friends, family and loved ones useful gifts they will appreciate. With expected delivery delays and items that could take longer, order early. Avoid giving tchotchkes that will collect dust, and give the gift of creativity, nourishment, and something fun to do. Ask what someone needs or wants and consider a contribution in their honor to a meaningful community cause.

This year’s Chanukah Gift Guide is focused on gifts that have been tested, tasted and highly recommended. Take a deep breath and show you care, love someone or are thinking of them. From creative service-focused gift cards to fun-filled family activities, here’s wishing you and yours a Happy Chanukah. Let the shopping and Chanukah celebration begin!

Chanukah House & PJ Library: Create a new family tradition with this do-it-yourself Manischewitz Chanukah House cookie decorating kit. It comes with everything kids need –from cookies and icing to a sanding sugar and a candy menorah – to build their own edible holiday cottage. Best of all, when you give this charming gift, you’re also giving the gift of books to children around the world, thanks to a partnership between Manischewitz and PJ Library. The kit is available this year from Amazon.com, Walmart and Kroger stores (which carry kosher items) among many other retailers. An example of the age-appropriate children’s books PJ Library will deliver this fall is Eric Kimmel’s classic “Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins.” PJ Library is also updating its popular “Hanukkah Hub” (www.pjlibrary.org/hanukkah) and plans to publish new episodes of the award-winning PJ Library children’s podcast, “Have I Got a Story for You!”

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No One Can Fill Your Shoes … or Socks! Bombas is devoted to purposeful giving with the coziest, softest socks. For every purchase, Bombas has donated more than 40 million items to over 2,500 community organizations to date. Check out Bombas Sesame Street socks (gift box), their warm gripper slippers, and fun socks for everyone on your list. Also note their T-shirts, compression socks and “Socks to tie dye for.” Give a gift that’s truly sock-sational! www.bombas.com.

Color My World: Kids will love these personalized crayons that spell out their name in an irresistible mix of rainbow colors. Presented in a gift box, it’s the perfect present for kids who love to color their worlds happy. www.art2theextreme.com

Judaica Gifts Galore: Support your local synagogue gift shop whenever possible and if you are looking for a specialty Jewish gift resource online, one of the largest Judaica stores in the country specializing in extraordinary Judaica gifts is standing by in Pompano Beach, Fla. Traditions Jewish Gifts is ready to fulfill your Jewish-themed gifts from menorot to mezuzot, Chanukah-themed masks plus over a 100 objects to make from a wedding glass. Their beautiful dreidel collections include starter dreidels along with fun gifts for kids and more. Visit www.TraditionsJewishGifts.Com or call 1-800-493-0520

Personalized Jewelry: Tres Colori offers a wide range of customized pieces in silver, gold and rose gold. With prices starting at $39, shoppers have an impressive amount of options to choose from, including necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets and personalized name jewelry. Whether it’s a sentimental date, unique name, romantic word or phrase, or a simple design you adore, for more information about Tres Colori’s collection of customized jewelry, visit www.rescolori.com.

Paint by Pom Pom: For kids 5 and up, Paint by Pom Pom is the perfect arts and crafts activity for your budding artist. Peel back the plastic adhesive cover to reveal a sticky board. (No messy glue required.) Then, find your Pom Pom color and match it to the number on the board. After that, pom pom away! While it’s noted where each pom pom color should go, kids are welcome to use their imaginations. Available in PuppyPom, KittyPom, DinoPom and UniPom, www.paintbypompom.com.

Bedside Luxury: Uncommongoods.com is one of the leading gift sources for imaginative presents. Check out their part smartphone stand, part vase. This gift brightens up your bedside table. Built into this unique vase is space for your phone cord, allowing you to charge your device while it sits comfortably beneath fresh-cut flowers. Available in white or mint. $32 at www.uncommongoods.com.

Flowers to Your Door: At the start of COVID, Poppy launched a line of absolutely beautiful DIY flower kits called Poppy At Home with the goal of bringing some much needed beauty and joy during this uncertain time. The kits are thoughtfully curated by the founder, who learned floral design in the White House floral shop, and they come with a written and video floral arranging tutorial. Kits start at $65 (shipping and handling included), and delivery takes four to seven days, www.poppyflowers.com.

Charging Stones: Eggtronic Wireless Charging Stones are handsome chargers made from real marble and stone and can be used to recharge any Qi-enabled device, including the newest iPhones and Samsung phones, by simply setting it on the stone surface. The Wireless Charging Stones are available in black or white marble, travertine stone, lava stone or sandstone and each one is unique due to the natural swirls and patterns found on the stone. www.eggtronic.com.

Pink Picasso: One of the leading DIY companies presents a new paint-by-numbers kit for kids. Recommended for ages 7 and up and featuring paintings of mermaids, animals and dinosaurs, each kit arrives in a beautiful giftable tube and includes an 8-by-10 ready-to-paint premium printed canvas, four brushes, and pre-mixed acrylic paints in handy little pots. Priced at $29.50, the quality of the kits and giftable packaging make these a fun at-home art project, www.pinkpicassokits.com.

Treat Yourself to Toffee! Enstrom Almond Toffee is a certified kosher dairy confection made using only the finest and freshest ingredients. For 60 years, Enstrom Candies, a fourth-generation family business, has been celebrated for their world-famous almond toffee. Every batch of traditional almond toffee is still made by hand in Grand Junction, Colo., using Grandad Chet’s original recipe, www.enstrom.com.

Razor Sharp Gifts: Check out Harry’s, the online gift resource for gift sets for men who love stylized, handsome razors. Since taking on shaving in 2013, Harry’s has continued to rethink guys’ daily grooming experiences, launching thoughtfully made body, hair and skincare products. Harry’s sets aside 1 percent of sales to give to organizations that promote better mental health care for men and have helped over 500,000 men get access to mental health care, www.harrys.com.

Hollywood Boutique: Hollywood trendsetter Melissa Masse’s Californian unique boutique offers a stylish selection of fashionable items made with love in LA featuring the softest, coziest trendiest hoodies, sweatshirts, scarfs, accessories, scarfs, jewelry necklace holders, and fashion forward face masks that are double layered and stylish. You’ll love her perfect soft casual tops, brushed jersey and tie-dyed chic leisurewear made in America, www.melissamasse.com.

Multicolored crayons on a white background.

Arts and Crafts For Kids: Gift a treasure trove of art materials, crafts and supplies from favorite online sources including www.ooly.com and www.Crayola.com, which are jam-packed with arts and craft kits and supplies for kids. Give the gift of creativity with endless possibilities for your kid’s imagination to run wild. Also check out www.learningexpress.com for curbside pickup and a great selection of crafts, gifts and activity-oriented toys that can’t miss.

Give the Gift of Health: For peace of mind and health this year, ThermoWorks.com offers a WAND No-Touch Forehead Thermometer. It provides proven accuracy when you need it most and takes adult and child forehead temps quickly. The no-touch infrared technology allows you to check temperatures from a safe distance with no need to disturb a sleeping child. Check out their array of thermometers, including gifts for the cook, grill-lover and more, www.thermoworks.com.

“Fore” The Golf Lover: Check out this personalized golf ball company, which specializes in the top brands for the golfer. Add a special saying, initials or just go for your favorite golfer’s top brand. Golfballs.com is standing by ready to help you swing into gift-giving, www.golfballs.com.

Protect Your Bum: For the park, pool, beach or backyard, My Sandy Bumz is a cool gift that pops open and serves as a playground covering that keeps the ants, sand or dirt away. My Sandy Bumz instantly sets up, and the sides keep toys in this inner circle, ideal for social distancing or defining an area to play. Enjoy this outdoor ground cover that is perfect for spending time with a 52-square-foot area for a picnic or play, www.mysandybumz.com.

L’Chaim: Tower Beer, Wine & Spirits has you covered for Chanukah! Enjoy kosher classics like Rashi or Barkan as well as Absolut or Chopin and check out their endless options of holiday wines, beer and spirits. Sign up for the Tower Perks in-store or visit their website for monthly deals. Order online for delivery within the city of Atlanta and the city of Doraville. You may also pick up in store or enjoy Tower’s curbside service for your convenience, www.towerwinespirits.com.

Classy Chargers: Stay charged up and connected in style this season with Classy Chargers! Customizable so that you can put your monogram, name or a design. These charging cubes, leopard-patterned battery packs and stylish cords let you stay connected in high style, www.classychargers.com.

Sweet Dreams Are Made of These: Rest easy with Celestial Silk’s ultimate pillowcase made with 100 percent pure mulberry silk for the ultimate luxurious sleeping experience. These silk pillowcases are available in 28 beautiful colors, wonderful for your beauty sleep and come in prints, lovingly gift-wrapped in a beautiful box, www.celestialsilk.com.

What A Doll! Mom’s Choice Awards Playtime by Eimmie is the maker of popular 18-inch doll clothing, accessories and playsets. Its monthly subscription service is known for safely delivering exciting packages right to your child’s door. Playtime by Eimmie 18-inch dolls recently won the Mom’s Choice Awards, which evaluates products and services created for children, families and educators. www.eimmie.com.

Personalized Books: Put your little ones in the center of the story with a personalized children’s book. Uncommon Goods offers a fun collection of books that can be customized with your child’s name on the cover, throughout the story, and even in illustrations. The collection includes genres for little learners of all ages. www.uncommongoods.com.

Wear a Mask: Thompson Tee’s face masks are reusable, washable, double-layered and made with premium breathable cotton-CDC cloth mask recommendation. They have donated over 30,000 masks to those in need, www.thompsontee.com/face-masks or Amazon. Also check out Mambeblankets.com which makes cloth masks that you can wear and has an adjustable lanyard that goes around the back of your head, taking pressure off your ears. They come in 12 colors and three sizes at www.mambeblankets.com.

How Sweet It Is! ATL Boards is a Candy Charcuterie (aka candy board) featured in Better Homes and Gardens. ATL Boards sources the most unique candy from around the world to bring you custom-created candy boards. Each designer candy board layers sweet and sour candy to create your one-of-a kind treat, available in three sizes and shipped anywhere in the country. Prices start at $45, including shipping. Follow their sweet eye-candy journey ATL Boards on Instagram @atlboards or visit www.atlboards.com to shop.

Fresh Fine Food: Give an egift card and the gift of deliciousness from Farmers & Fishermen fresh fish and fine food delivered to your gift recipient’s door. Enjoy fresh fish, meat, prepared foods, delicacies, desserts, eggs and more. Check out their kosher selection filled with outstanding values and selections. You’ll love the outstanding selection of freezer pleasers, Atlanta Chef’s Pantry with heat-and-serve prepared options and an endless array of delectables. Give the gift of excellent taste. Call Farmers & Fishermen at 770-441-1100 or order gift cards online at www.FarmersAndFishermen.com.

Robyn Spizman Gerson is an award-winning New York Times bestselling author and well-known media personality who has appeared for over three decades on local and national television reporting on gift-giving and lifestyle topics.