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A Haute Hanukkah

Posted Fri, Dec 01, 2006, 11:09 am PST
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There are so many reasons to throw a festive party this time of year, so why not kick the season off by inviting friends and family over for a happenin' Hannukah celebration! With a few creative touches, you can easily update the traditions that go along with the eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights.
  • Decorate in a modern minimalist palette of whites and golds with splashes of vibrant blue. Layer a sheer gold runner over a creamy linen tablecloth and line the table with eight symbolic shimmering gold votive candles. Rest a single bud or small spray of blue flowers (such as bluebells, hyacinth, forget-me-nots) on each guest's plate.
  • Lightly sprinkle small gold star confetti around the dinner or coffee table -- or stamp white paper cocktail napkins with a gold star as a nod to the Jewish Star of David.
  • Roll white dinner napkins, then tie a small piece of sheer gold ribbon and a single blue crystal bead around each one.
  • Fill small gold silk pouches with gold-wrapped chocolate coins -- or "gelt" -- and place one on each dinner plate.
  • Print the menu on vellum paper and cut into "dreidel" shapes, then place one on each dinner plate. For an added touch, punch a hole in the top and accent it with a small blue velvet bow.
  • Delight guests with a gourmet potato pancake bar. Offer unusual variations using purple or sweet potatoes, and whip up an array of toppings, from the usual sour-cream-and-chive combo to more unexpected tastes like mango chutney, jalapeno cilantro, or olive tapenade.
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23 Comments

  • 1. Posted by Full O on Mon, Dec 04, 2006, 4:35 pm PST

    Can't I just get a Latke recipe?

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  • 2. Posted by midolcevida8 on Sat, Dec 09, 2006, 12:00 pm PST

    Don't forget to have some fun with your guests. Serve them some Coffee in the hilarious Yiddish Proverb Mugs. It will definitely inspire some laughter.

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  • 3. Posted by zararavenwood on Tue, Dec 12, 2006, 3:03 pm PST

    errr umm why all the gold trim? And why give a "nod" to a Mogan David when you can put it in a star of david shape. Honsalty a table full of lite Manhoorahs broight by you guest would sute me better. And a roseuifgn couse of "Ma Ohzur" I mean Elagnces is nice and all but it dosnt make a party.

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  • 4. Posted by joy_lerner on Wed, Dec 13, 2006, 12:59 am PST

    To the comment posted before me . . I was under the impression that we Jews were fairly educated people . . a magen david IS a star of David, but that aside, there is not one word spelled properly in your entire comment . . if you're going to leave a comment, at least be educated enough to do it, roueth grade english should suffice . . .

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  • 5. Posted by on Wed, Dec 13, 2006, 6:36 am PST

    Ditto the note from joy_lerner

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  • 6. Posted by on Wed, Dec 13, 2006, 6:37 am PST

    ...and may GOD bless Israel.

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  • 7. Posted by Rosita A on Wed, Dec 13, 2006, 2:20 pm PST

    pictures bring the article alive. without pictures, the idea is lost.

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  • 8. Posted by fake your beauty on Wed, Dec 13, 2006, 2:50 pm PST

    I love the ideas here, I think it is nice to spice up any occasion, be it elegantly or with the latest trends. Just as a side note if you aren't Jewish or can't respect the holidays or beliefs of those who are, it seems pointless for you to be leaving comments here, aka oscardedrick.

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  • 9. Posted by mrsbaldmartian on Thu, Dec 14, 2006, 12:14 pm PST

    I loved the suggestions too! I'm Jewish & hubby isn't, so something different is always fun to try.

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  • 10. Posted by poollovehonesty on Thu, Dec 14, 2006, 2:04 pm PST

    wow i'll try this in a few years

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  • 11. Posted by cohennj on Thu, Dec 14, 2006, 3:59 pm PST

    I love these ideas. I have my table set with all kinds of silver and blue items, but this sounds much more elegant and I'm going to save this page for next year's party.

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  • 12. Posted by Janis L. H on Thu, Dec 14, 2006, 4:21 pm PST

    Not to ruin the fun here (seriously) ... but tell me why again can we say Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Ramadan but not Christmas? Just seems weird to me... By the way, though Christian, I love the ideas you've got here. I'm thinking it would be neat to do both holidays next year (esp. since JC was Jewish *s*). Lovely!

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  • 13. Posted by Elle Belly on Fri, Dec 15, 2006, 2:42 pm PST

    Hanukkah is not Christmas..neither is Kwanzaa or Ramadan thats why its not called Christmas. I could go into detail but it would take more than this comment box to do so. You arnt ruining the fun .You have a legit question that deserve ligit answers there are wonderfull sites that explain each holiday and why they are celebrated . I do think though if you want to celebrate Hanukkah ..try to do some reaserch on the holiday since it is a very important day. But whatever you celebrate i wish you awonderful holiday..excuse my errors in spelling I suck hahaha

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  • 14. Posted by nancywayne3 on Sun, Dec 17, 2006, 1:54 pm PST

    I am a redeemd Jew and my husband and I celebrate both holidays according to tradition. The party begins with a menorrah and ends with taking the tree down. Remember Christ was indeed a Jew so those who believe have alittle Jewish in them also. Enjoy both holidays.

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  • 15. Posted by on Mon, Dec 18, 2006, 6:45 pm PST

    it would be nice if you could also include sugar free candy for those of us that are plaged with Diabetes.

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  • 16. Posted by rec6cg on Wed, Dec 20, 2006, 2:35 pm PST

    Hanukkah is the most secularized holiday in America. It's not even part of scripture. It's called for in Judah and Maccabees, so however it's celebrated should be fine.

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  • 17. Posted by galadriel on Wed, Dec 20, 2006, 3:31 pm PST

    It's good you want to publisize Chanuka, albeit not purposely, but Chanuka isn't about blue, & silver & decorating things. Sure its fun but that party is no more about chanuka than it is about Christmas. It's all nice to play dreidle and the like, but if you don't know that the reason behind it, which was that it was a cover while we really studied torah, it's meaningless

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  • 18. Posted by BILLDO on Wed, Dec 20, 2006, 3:52 pm PST

    Someone was talking earlier about the Star Of David... The star of david the mogen david is the hexagram, where we get the phrase "put a hex on you", it's often used in witchcraft which all came from the Jewish Kaballah. Also known as the Star Of Solomon.... Now most jews I understand don't generally have anything to do with the Kaballah but some do, as do many non jews. Do your homework before you tell me I'm wrong...

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  • 19. Posted by jajexstaff29 on Wed, Dec 20, 2006, 7:24 pm PST

    hunnukuh is awesome. no matter what. or who u are or what religion.

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  • 20. Posted by Donald A on Sat, Dec 23, 2006, 2:01 pm PST

    Hanukkah, like all other such holidays/observations, except Christmas, the birth of God into the world in the flesh, God Incarnate, God-Man, are bunk and false doctine/belief.

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  • 21. Posted by applekugel84 on Sun, Dec 24, 2006, 12:55 am PST

    The Star of David has nothing to do with witchcraft or the Kaballah. Nor is it the Star of Solomon anymore than any other Jewish person. I take it your are not Jewish Mr. O'Reilly so I hope you do more studying -mostly in your own religion and leave the rest to us who do study our own religion. Happy Holiday to all.

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  • 22. Posted by keepinitreal on Mon, Dec 10, 2007, 4:50 pm PST

    omg people, isn't this conversation supposed to be about whether or not you find the DECORATIONS (regardless for WHAT occassion) original and fun? Or time consuming and quaint... or??? I think they are GREAT ideas, tweak the colors shapes for WHASTEVER you're celebrating... :)

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  • 23. Posted by seif k on Wed, Dec 12, 2007, 11:06 pm PST

    I would suggest that in oder to leave in peace we shoul belive and leave pi as pi.

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