What Choices will you find when in Search for a Menorah?

So we have discussed Menorah candles. but Candles without a menorah is not really worth anything. So let's discuss the many menorah options one will accounter while shopping for one.

Sterling silver menorahs - Sterling silver menorahs, as you can imagine, are pretty expensive. The cheapest on I could find was a sterling silver menorah manufactured by Hazorfim, an Israeli Judaica silver manufacturer, and goes for $225.00. The most expensive I was able to find was this sterling silver menorah for $6,800. But unless you win a fortune overnight, I don't believe you would want to spend this amount.

Then there is the regular aluminum menorah or glass menorah collections. Glass menorahs are very nice and are a beautiful choice when you want to buy a menorah on the lower costing range, but want to get something nice. Glass menorahs come in many different designs, featuring modern paintings, or mixed with brass, gold etc. I personally love the glass menorahs very much and have bought one in the past. When searching for a nice but low cost Hanukkah gift, I would certainly have a glass menorah among my choices.

We will cover aluminum menorahs at our next posting and also continue to other menorah choices.

Is Hanukkah Gift Giving a Traditional Custom?

The Hanukkah gift giving is a new concept that has evolved out of the Hanukkah gelt giving tradition. In the past times, Hanukkah gelt (Yiddish for "money") was distributed to children to enhance their enjoyment of the Hanukkah holiday. (The amount given was usually in small coins, although grandparents or other relatives may give larger sums as an official Hanukkah gift. In Israel, Hanukkah gelt is known as dmei Hanukkah. Many Hasidic Rebbes distribute coins to those who visit them during Hanukkah. Hasidic Jews consider this to be an auspicious blessing from the Rebbe, and a segulah for success.)

Since Hanukkah falls on the same time as Christmas, it has led to the expansion of the gelt giving tradition to gift giving tradition. There are many different things that one can buy to present as Hanukkah gifts such as a Hanukkah menorah, Hanukkah decorations or just year round productss such as Jewish books or ordinary Judaica. You might also want to give an exquisite Hanukkah gift baskets.