Something nice for Hanukah?

To be brief : my multicultural office includes a super young man who is far from family as Hanukkah begins. He is Jewish (and vegan), I am not, but I wanted to do something nice but am clueless and Pinterest isn’t helping. I don’t want to do that clueless thing where Christians equate everyone’s holiday to theirs…ideas? I am a good cook, and fair to middling at handwork. Just wanted to say “hey, happy Your Holiday” since his mom is so far and this is clearly his first year away from home as a working adult. Am I making any sense?

Maybe you can make a batch of vegan latkes for him.

http://www.ilovevegan.com/vegan-latkes-potato-pancakes/

Trying to think what DS would appreciate. Honestly, maybe just a card and some chocolate gelt (coins).

Does he have a Menorah? An electric one from drugstores, or one that needs candles?

yes, to a menorah w candles, no to gelt (because most chocolate is not vegan)

How about a gift card or product from the local vegan/veggie food store along with a card?

I just wanted to say I think this is a really, really nice gesture @greenbutton.

@emilybee Do latkes reheat O’k? That looks good though.

I have a Hanukkah dish towel that i use yearly.

Yes, latkes are great reheated. I go to a party every year where the host makes them in advance (because he needs thousands of them) and they are vegan and gluten free because of other guests. All taste the same to me - delicious!

From the desk of Mayim. Vegan Gelt http://www.premiumchocolatiers.com/chanukah-gelt-coins-p-248.html

@emilybee That recipe for latkes no longer intimidates me because you could use shredded potatoes. That looks delicious and managable.

@greenbutton You would probably have to make sure the candles are vegan.

I would assume the young man’s family would have taken care of a menorah if he didn’t get one himself. It’s a religious observance object and to me would seem odd coming from a coworker in the office. Also for a great many of us, Chanukah is a low key holiday, not “I’ll be home for Chanukah if only in my dreams.” Probably why you’re not finding ideas online! I would guess it’s harder for him to be away from home for the High Holidays and Passover and not such a big deal for Chanukah.

So I still say a card is a nice gesture. And maybe something for fun like a coffee mug with a menorah on it? If you’re giving something to everyone in the office, just make sure he gets his before Chanukah ends! Vegan latkes would be a nice touch at an office party; again during the holiday rather than after.

Agree with Marilyn that I would find it odd to get a menorah - he’d need it for Hannukah so he’d likely already have one, and many people invest in a nice special one rather than a cheaper reusable one, so now I’d be like, what do I do with these 2 menorahs? I’d be careful about cooking latkes too because he might keep some level of kosher, especially with the vegan on top of that. Seriously, just a card and a bag of gelt would be way above and beyond.

I like the idea someone mentioned of the Hanukah mug with vegan gelt. So, here you go:

https://www.amazon.com/AJI-Happy-Hanukkah-Mug/dp/B01MG99GW6

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AE9OA7Q/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=easygourrec03-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B004AQIAI4&th=1

As a “nice Jewish girl” I have to say my immediate thought when I read the menorah suggestion, is that a menorah is a very personal item. Mine was passed down to me, and my first menorah was passed to my D. Without knowing more than male, vegan, Jewish, I would be hesitant to gift something personal…especially if it’s someone within my business (work) environment.

We have a collection of menorahs gathered over the years. The one we bought together in our early years, a couple of arty ones, a glass one with cat candle holders that my mom gave me (never used), MIL’s that DH took after she passed away, my family’s that I took after my mom passed away, and a tiny brass one from my childhood that uses birthday candles. And a couple DS made in Sunday School. So yes, definitely personal!

Our synagogue gives all congregants a Purim basket which annually includes a work of art; this year it was a glass menorah which we certainly didn’t need and didn’t go with our decor as a decoration so now DS has it. We’ve tried to give him ones over the years but he was reluctant to take one of our traditional ones so this worked out.

So to understand this.

  1. Giving a Menorah would probably be similar to giving a Christian a Creche. That would be an uncomfortable gift for work and a personal choice.
  2. Parve chocolate is vegan by definition - no animal or dairy?
  3. If you cooked in a non kosher kitchen, your food would probably be not kosher because of your multi-use cookware?
  4. Hanukkah is not similar in importance to Christmas. (This reminds me of Home for Purim/ For Your Consideration)
  5. If you're going to give something, make sure it's on time.

I would bet he doesn’t keep kosher but you couid ask him.

@gearmom, as a religious holiday, Hanukkah has virtually no importance - but culturally, in the last 30 years it’s become very big (as Xmas has in increasingly become more of a present giving holiday, so has Hanukkah.)

Anytime during the 8 days is fine.