Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days and nights, starting on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar (which is November-December on the Gregorian calendar). In Hebrew, the word "Hanukkah" means "dedication." It is the story of the Maccabees, a small band of Jewish fighters who liberated the Land of Israel from the Syrian Greeks who occupied it. Under the reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanies, the Syrian Greeks sought to impose their Hellenistic culture. In remembrance of the liberation, a candle is lit each of the eight days of Hanukkah. Children receive gifts of Gelt (in remembrance of the coins minted by the new independent Maccabee state) or money and play games of Dreidel (a spinning four-sided top.) The tradition of receiving a gift on each of the eight days of Hanukkah is fairly recent. Since Christians exchange gifts at Christmas, Jews have come to exchange gifts other than coins at Hanukkah, which comes at the same time of the year. The traditional foods consumed during the Hanukkah holiday are symbolic of the events being celebrated. Most are fried in oil, symbolic of the oil that lasted eight days. Latkes were originally symbolic of the cheesecakes served by the widow Judith, and later evolved to the potato/vegetable fried latkes most known today. Hanukkah party supplies like paper plates, napkins, and cups are a nice way to complete a Hanukkah Party Theme. Using party decorations like Hanukkah Dreidel inflatable as a centerpiece can also double as party prizes. Party favors like Hanukkah music or glow jewelry are perfect for a Hanukkah Party Theme.
This information is from Gail Leino and was found at:
http://mrsparty.com
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