<p>Each year my husband’s extended family gathers for a Hannukah dinner and gift exchange. Usually my MIL draws names for the gift exchange and assigns each of us a person to bring a gift that cost around $25. To be truthful, my husband and I have rarely received a gift that we needed or wanted and buying for an extended family member that we don’t know a lot about. I made the suggestion that maybe we skip the gifts for the adults, especially with the economy the way it was. My MIL actually agreed that maybe it would be better for just the little kids to receive gifts.</p>
<p>Now my dilemma; I thought it would be nice for use to have an activity to do after dinner as that time was usually used to give gifts. I am not crafty, nor are the other family members, so I am reaching out to my friends here at CC for help. We range is age from 4-90 and would really like something that everyone could participate in. </p>
<p>I remember reading years ago about a Thanksgiving tablecloth where each person signed their name on the cloth where they were sitting and included the date. Then someone embroidered over the names; the family did this each year and had a memory of who was there each year. While this sounds nice, we are too many people for one table and no one stitches in this family, so one table cloth wouldn’t really work for us.</p>
<p>I would love to come up with something that we could expand on each year; something that is fun as well as memorable. The activity doesn’t have to be truly Hanukkah related, although it would be nice. the family all lives in the same city, but some of use only see each other for larger family gatherings.</p>
<p>We usually participate in various holiday charity related efforts, although not necessarily with our family. One thing to do is have everyone bring a small gift for a child, bring the wrapping, and wrap for charity donation. You can find out places that want the gifts through your local synagogue, Jcc, etc. You can also just do it for a general non-jewish charity, hospitalized children etc… Nursing homes also look for holiday cheer, but you must call them first to find out what are acceptable gifts, as they have limitations, due to health/alzheimer’s concerns.</p>
<p>For little to no money you can write letters to American or Israeli soldiers. Also you would need to coordinate with one of the organizing charities to send them. The Israeli soldiers have some type of give a gift for Hanukah activity that you could join in. I know that the American soldiers can be sent phone cards, which they appreciate.</p>
<p>Lastly, not charity, but fun for all, make potato latkes and/or the fried jelly donuts.</p>
<p>We actually already are making individual family donations in place of the gift exchange. Usually we are about 35 people; two 4 year olds, a 6 year old, two college age, three 20 somethings, about eight in their 30’s, then we have the parents of the 20’s and 30’s, plus their parents!</p>
<p>I really would like to do something that we can all do together that is fun. I thought about Apples to Apples Jewish edition, but I think we are too many and I don’t think the older crowd would like it as much at the younger. There must be a non crafty craft we could do; I just don’t know what that is!</p>
<p>Play dreidel for chocolate gelt? Make menorot (out of Legos, modeling clay, beads, or whatever material is age appropriate for the individual), sing along to Debbie Friedman Chanukah tunes (perhaps there’s a piano in your home?), make beeswax candles? As for Apples to Apples, I wasn’t aware that there’s a Jewish edition but in our family it’s a crowd favorite among three generations.</p>
<p>I love the idea of the tablecloth! No one here sews, but there are fabric markers that I imagine could be used. What I wouldn’t give to have a tablecloth signed by my parents with something said to each child…What an amazing gift. We don’t do much here for Chanukah, but when there are grandchildren…every year that will be a tradition.</p>
<p>Incidentally, every year we were invited to a Chanukah party when our children were little. Every family was asked to bring their menorah (some made in nursery school). Each family was asked to come up and light their own menorah and say the prayer. We went from the all English basic (us) to solid Hebrew with all the extras. Our friend filmed the whole thing…we have seen our family go from two to three kids to teens and then adults.</p>
<p>I did the Hannukah tablecloth many years ago using fabric paints, not so much as an activity but because I could find one to buy. All of the kids drew Hannukah-themed items, like menorahs and dreidels. It has been used for at least 15 years, washed often, and added to as our family has expanded (and to cover the food stains!). This year, the adults are each bringing one “white elephant” gift for a gift exchange – as I understand it, each person takes a number. Number 1 gets to select a wrapped gift and unwraps it; Number 2 can either take Number 1’s gift or select another, and so on; an unwrapped gift can be taken twice. The value of the gift can’t exceed $10, and is supposed to be funny…a lot of rules, but it might be fun for a group that needs little but likes to laugh.</p>
<p>We did the Chinese gift exchange last year instead of drawing name; was NOT a big hit! My BIL thought there was too much chaos and noise; it was his idea to do the gift exchange in the first place!! I think because we have such a wide range of ages, that the gifts were difficult to buy. My son actually bought $25 (out limit) of assorted beers; that gift was stolen several times! Someone else gave lottery tickets. </p>
<p>Maybe we will do the tablecloth and just use it for the main table. I thought the 3 little ones could draw something in the center for Hannukah and we could write our names around the outside.</p>
<p>My mother did the embroidered tablecloth at my wedding reception. By the time she finished it the marriage was over. A D has it now and it is nice to see the signatures, especially from those who have died.</p>