50 Haute Hanukkah Decorating and Entertaining Ideas

Celebrate the Festival of Lights with these easy holiday decorating ideas, guest-impressing table settings and stress-free recipe suggestions.

November 23, 2021

By: Morgan Faulkner, Lauren Oster, and Brian Patrick Flynn

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How to Celebrate Hanukkah

Consider us your Hanukkah inspiration board. From stylish decorating and table setting ideas to tasty entertaining recipes, we looked to designers, event planners and bloggers for their favorite ways to celebrate the Festival of Lights and are sharing what we found with you. We're also dishing out the best Hanukkah decorations you can buy as well as thoughtful Hanukkah gifts for everyone on your list.

To add Hanukkah flair to this neutral dining room, Design Star Season 7 contestant Britany Simon created a tablescape (and a clever arrangement of paper lanterns) that features cool blue textiles, metallic elements and vivid floral arrangements.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Set a Guest-Impressing Table

Celebrate the Festival of Lights with a tablescape as rich as the tradition it honors. Blue, silver and gold accents bring together a spectacular setting for a memorable holiday feast.

See More Photos: 11 Tips for a Guest-Impressing Hanukkah Table Setting

From: Heather Baird

Start With a Color Scheme

When it comes to setting your Hanukkah table, start with a color scheme. Typically, people decorate for Hanukkah with blues, golds, silvers and whites, and those are the same colors you'll find on this tablescape. You can also think outside the box and opt instead for a pink, purple or orange Hanukkah. There are no rules, after all.

See More Photos: How to Set a Tie-Dyed Hanukkah Tablescape

Choose a Modern Menorah

While white candles are the mainstay, hand-dipped ombré menorah candles add a gorgeous touch of color to the traditional menorah. Find them at Judaica specialty shops and online.

From: Heather Baird

Or, Craft Your Own Menorah

Crafting your own menorah might seem like a daunting task — until now. All that's needed to get the job done is a toy animal figurine, air-dry clay, gold spray paint and a handful of hex nuts from the hardware store. Colorful menorah candles are added for an eye-catching, festive addition.

Get the How-To: Make a Gilded Menorah From an Animal Figurine

Put a Twist on 'Traditional' Tones

Historians have argued that blue and white became associated with Hanukkah relatively recently, and it's commonly suggested that the association became widespread in the 20th century when Israel became a state (as those are the hues on its flag). That said, the Torah mentions the use of tekhelet (a blue dye derived from a sea creature) for dyeing portions of white prayer shawls, and scholars have argued about what tekhelet should look like (the clear noonday sky, or the evening sky, or something else?) for centuries.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Don't Forget the Flowers

It's hard to imagine a tablescape without a floral centerpiece, but you don't have to break the bank to make it happen. Instead, opt for a simple bouquet of white supermarket flowers as your base, then — if you have a hard time finding blue flowers in December — supplement with a few blue faux stems from your local craft store which you can even reuse next Hanukkah.

See More Photos: How to Set a Tie-Dyed Hanukkah Tablescape

Embrace Intricacy

The kaleidoscope of patterns in this Williams Sonoma tablescape doesn't overwhelm the eye because the scales and tones are consistent. Feel free to build a table with lots of detail. As long as the designs you choose complement one another, you can keep on going.

Slide a Gold Charger Under Each Plate

Chargers elevate any tablescape, covering tons of ground and underscoring each person's individual place setting with an extra pop of color and shine. The gold ones here take a cue from shiny chocolate gelt wrappers, making them relevant for a Hanukkah table.

See More Photos: How to Set a Tie-Dyed Hanukkah Tablescape

Go for the Gelt

Ordinary glass vases receive the Midas touch with gold, foil-wrapped chocolate coins. Our instructions, below, show you how to nest containers to create a gorgeous floral arrangement that's surrounded by this tasty, traditional Hanukkah treat.

Get the How-To: Glowing Gelt Hanukkah Centerpiece

From: Heather Baird

Display a Manzanita Branch Menorah

For a fresh interpretation of the classic menorah, consider a manzanita branch candelabrum as your table's centerpiece. Fancy a ready-made version? Keep your eyes peeled in stores such as West Elm. Feeling the itch to DIY? Try spray-painting a manzanita branch (available at floral and craft supply stores) and adding small scraps of wood with hot glue or wire to create spaces to accommodate tea lights.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Make a Candy Board

Admittedly, the focus is typically on fried foods throughout the Hanukkah season — think jelly doughnuts, latkes and the like. But that doesn't mean you can't mix things up with a candy board, too. This blue and white platter pays homage to Hanukkah's classic colors while offering a sugary spin on tradition.

Get the How-To: How to Make a Hanukkah Candy Board

Choose an Iconic Flower

Lilies are a classic element of winter floral arrangements here in the States and, as it happens, one of only three flowers mentioned in the Bible (as well as a common motif in Hebrew art). Create a bit of height and reflect candlelight by arranging your blooms in a mercury glass vase.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

A Special Place

Guests will be delighted when seated before Hanukkah reminders such as gelt chocolate coins, edible sugar cookie dreidel favors and scroll-style napkins that are reminiscent of the Torah. To create this look, just fold a napkin in half, then roll both edges toward the middle. Metallic leaf ribbon is a beautiful stand-in for a napkin ring.

Get the Recipe: Dreidel Sugar Cookie Favors

From: Heather Baird

Create a Custom Table Runner

No sewing machine? No problem. Create a custom table runner with three yards of satin folded into thirds, then top it off with a layer of metallic crafting sheer. The bound edges of the metallic crafting sheer add a graphic edge, which gives the layered textiles a finished, tailored look.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Food for Thought

What's not to love about latkes? It's hard to improve upon traditional Hanukkah food, but the right table setting will make food look even more delicious and inviting.

Get the Recipe: Quick and Easy Potato Latkes

From: Heather Baird

Add a Festive Focal Point

Create a massive seasonal design feature (sans major installation costs) with a group of paper lanterns. For this look, the lanterns’ supports are just as important as the globes themselves; replace standard fishing line or white string with luxurious satin or grosgrain ribbon in varied shades of blue.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Create a Boho Wreath

Geometric and organic beauty come together in this simple wreath, where straight branches are arranged to create a Star of David (which appeared in antiquity but became a near-universal emblem of Judaism in the 19th century). We'll show you how to create one for yourself from backyard clippings — or craft store silk branches — below.

See More Photos: Host a Boho Chic Hanukkah Party

From: Erica Reitman

Snap, Crackle and Pop!

DIY confetti-filled party poppers and Hanukkah crackers will bring a flurry of fun to your celebration. Transform Christmas-themed crackers by covering them with a length of Hanukkah gift wrap, then gather and tie each end with a bow.

Get the How-To: DIY Hanukkah Confetti Poppers

From: Heather Baird

Deck the Hall With Dreidels

Grab scrapbooking paper, pencils, scissors, stencils and glue, then task your kiddos with creating dreidels you can drape along the stairs (or shelves, or the mantel) with clear fishing line.

Experiment With Layers

As designer Nicole Dingle put this look together, "It was a challenge to find tableware that wasn't kitschy or tacky," she explains. "As a result, I opted for a less obvious Hanukkah theme and instead concentrated on the color palette. When creating a tablescape (no matter the occasion), layering is key. Start with a runner or tablecloth as a base and build from there. Add dimension by layering textures, patterns and varying heights in your color scheme; in this case blue, white and gold."

Cookie Mix Favors

Cookies are often eaten to commemorate special Jewish occasions — think rugelach, black-and-white cookies, hamantaschen and beyond. Why not extend that deliciousness to Hanukkah? These festive cookie mix jars make for excellent holiday gifts, and they’re incredibly easy to throw together. What's more, the cookies are downright delicious once they're all baked up.

Get the How-To: Hanukkah Gift Idea: Colorful Cookie Mix Jar

Experiment With Gold Flatware

Setting out gold flatware in place of more-expected silver can add a hint of glamour to your table arrangements — but it requires a bit of TLC. To ensure your utensils' longevity, save them for special occasions: the more frequently gold is run through the dishwasher, the more likely it is to show its age (and hand-washing flatware every night is decidedly unglamorous).

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Try a Shibori Tablecloth

Shibori — an ancient Japanese indigo dye technique that involves using folds, found objects and binding to create intricate patterns in fabric — is well suited to the decor we associate with Hanukkah, thanks to the graphic blue and white designs it creates. Shibori table linens are now widely available at both mainstream retailers and through sites like Etsy — and if you're feeling crafty, we’ll walk you through creating your own shibori napkins, below.

Get the How-To: How to Make Your Own Shibori-Style Tie-Dye Napkins

From: Erica Reitman

Golden Hour

A golden-hued cocktail becomes part of the tablescape with equal parts Meyer lemon juice, simple syrup and a shot of Kosher gin.

From: Heather Baird

Build an Eclectic, Modern Table

Take a cue from West Elm's latest offerings and create a gathering spot where natural simplicity meets subtle intricacy. A rough-hewn marble menorah (with eight recesses for candles and a brass receptacle set higher for the shamash candle that will light the others) complements pale, gold-embellished celestial dinnerware and painterly, hand-glazed blue constellation salad plates.

Assemble "Stockings"

Rabbis and scholars explain that giving gifts in honor of Hanukkah is a very recent invention, and that Hanukkah gift-giving that developed among American Jews doesn't really have anything to do with the holiday's religious requirements. That said, assembling and displaying tiny treats to open each night can be a sweet way to add an additional bit of joy to each evening's activities.

From: Erica Reitman

Embroidered Olive Oil Bag Favors

Oil is central to the Hanukkah story: it's oil, after all, that facilitates the original Miracle of Light. So why not let it play a starring role in your Hanukkah gift-giving experiences, too? We're sharing how to create the easiest three-stitch embroidery pattern on a linen bag that can be used to wrap up a beautiful bottle of olive oil. Whether you want to send your Hanukkah party guests off with a thoughtful favor or are just in need of a sophisticated hostess gift, you'll want to check out this simple DIY.

Get the How-To: Hanukkah Gift Idea: DIY Embroidered Olive Oil Bag

Introduce a Casual Runner

Counterbalance special-occasion dishware that might feel a bit too formal by reaching for table linens that cultivate a more eclectic, homespun vibe. Materials like cotton canvas and even denim look beautiful on modern tables, and they're machine-washable.

Keep Gift Wrap Simple

Kitschy prints might earn a giggle or two, but simple papers and gleaming ribbons like these contribute to an overall color story and metallic theme without overwhelming the eye.

See More Photos: 80 DIY Christmas Gift Wrap Ideas

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Reimagine Your Donuts

When it comes to Hanukkah desserts, "the donut is definitely king," says Lindsay Landman, a New York City-based event planner. Fried foods are eaten on Hanukkah to commemorate the miracle of the Temple in Jerusalem's oil lasting for eight days. "But, if you want to go next-level, consider using a delicious donut as a base for your hot fudge sundaes (so long, brownies!) or even crumbling your cake donuts to use as a topping on a make-your-own sundae bar. If you are serving coffee or hot cocoa, add a donut hole on a swizzle stick for an extra sweet treat."

Play With Patterns

Incorporating patterns creates a one-two punch of movement and graphic impact. Dip your toe in pattern play with table arrangements by starting small, as designer Britany Simon did here with a turquoise-toned, zigzag salad plate atop a solid, blue-gray dinner plate. The cool backdrop paired with the warm gold accents strikes the perfect balance.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Reference Tradition

This dramatic menorah by Amy Reichert is both visually unconventional and historically significant; its floating brass blossoms reference the original temple menorah (which was made of gold cups shaped like almond blossoms, according to Jewish tradition). The pool of water is an especially clever detail, as it both reflects the lit candles' glow and catches any wax that might drip beyond their holders as they burn.

Pile on the Dreidels

"Using some simple Hanukkah favorites in big-time repetition can create a big wow on a small budget," says event planner Lindsay Landman. "I like to order gold gelt by the big box and fill simple glass containers as decor — and the same can be done with colorful dreidels." Party stores can supply large quantities of dreidels in classic colors like these, but why stop there? "If you want to really up your color game, consider buying tons of inexpensive dreidels and spray painting them a crazy color like neon green or go for something moody and paint them all in high-gloss black. Spilling these down the center of your dining room table mixed with some candlelight is a simple and super cool runner," she adds.

Make Gourmet Gelt

This kid-friendly, no-bake dessert project is both gorgeous and incredibly simple: just melt dark, white or semi-sweet chocolate in a double boiler, drop tablespoons on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and decorate with toppings of your choice. Half an hour later, your bespoke dessert will be ready to serve. Find Kosher.com's full recipe here.

Deploy a Mobile Serving Station

If your dining space lacks serving stations or buffet space, introduce a temporarily repurposed bar cart to create an instant special-occasion serving area. Use the top portion for laying out desserts, and designate the bottom as a place to gather gifts.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Stack Some Books

Not only is this a fun way to keep the blue theme going on your table, but it's also practical: Odds are, you've already got a ton of blue-spined books in your home, meaning you can keep your budget in check and give your table some added height and visual interest.

See More Photos: How to Set a Tie-Dyed Hanukkah Tablescape

Improvise Napkin Rings

Dreidels can also serve singly as striking place-setting accessories. Look for decorative versions similar to the one pictured here, and use their hanging loops as bespoke "rings" for cloth napkins.

Shine Strategically

Take a less-is-more approach to decorating with metallic elements by choosing stemware ornamented with thin bands of gold, silver or bronze. Paired with more substantial metallic pieces (like flatware, votives or a menorah), those understated accents instantly help carry the metallic motif throughout the tablescape.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Try Upscale Paper Tableware

As Deborah Shearer (founder of Table + Dine, a lifestyle marketing and merchandising team) notes, there's much to be said for keeping things simple and remembering what matters. "While I love to entertain and set a beautiful table, you and your family will remember the food, the fun and the guests around your Hanukkah table, more than the decor," she says. Instead of splashing out on decorative chargers that will disappear into the back of the cabinet once the holidays are over, consider embellishing your everyday tableware with layers of budget-friendly, disposable pieces. Shearer created this look with paper products from Sophistiplate, a father-and-son company that produces single-use tableware.

Use a Garland as a Table Runner

A true master of high-low decor, Shearer combined a blue felt Hanukkah banner she found at Target and felt snowflake placemats from Pier 1 with Lenox Federal Platinum plates, etched footed wine glasses and Continental flatware. She then anchored the center of the table with two of her own menorahs and a third that her photographer received as a wedding gift. The takeaway here? From humble to haute and mass-produced to heirloom, you can make space for just about anything on your table. (Find a full list of her sources here.)

Unfurl a Special-Occasion Area Rug

Table runners are well and good, but it's high time hosts and hostesses extended festive textiles to the floor, no? Develop a truly immersive color scheme by anchoring your dining space with a solid, textural area rug in blue, gold or silver.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Empty the China Cabinet

Celebrate abundance by using all of your dishes for once. Designer Marian Parsons used a placemat, a charger, two plates, a napkin and napkin ring, five pieces of flatware and two glasses for each setting at this table — and the resulting arrangement is fabulous.

See More Photos: Hosting a Sparkling Blue and White Hanukkah Celebration

From: Marian Parsons

Build a Gelt Runner

Becca Goldberg created this clever (and eco-friendly) table runner for My Jewish Learning's food site, The Nosher, with little more than three large pieces of card stock, gelt wrappers and a hot glue gun. Find a full description of her next-level DIY — as well as step-by-step instructions for metallic feather place cards — here.

Or, Gather Kids' Gelt in Felt

Make the Festival of Lights more fun for kids with this low-sew felt star tote. Perfect for a slightly older child learning to hand sew or easy to glue together for a younger one. Get more kids' Hanukkah craft ideas, below.

See More Photos: 10 Fun Hanukkah and Winter Crafts for Kids

Blend Traditions With a Hanukkah Tree

If your circle of special people recognizes multiple winter traditions, why not commemorate them together? If both Christmas and Hanukkah are significant days at your house, consider a sweet hybrid holiday tree like this one.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Bake Hanukkah Cakesicles

The key to creating picture-perfect dessert pops isn't sculpting skills — it's strategizing. With little more than white cake mix, a mold, baking chocolate and seasonal sprinkles, you can whip these beauties up in no time. Find Kosher.com's full recipe here.

Create Star of David Gift Wrap

Turn trinkets into treasures that double as decorations by gluing rather than taping your paper together. Truth be told, assembling a package like this one could be even easier than wrapping a rectangular gift the traditional way. Find the full instructions and more ideas here.

Texturize the Table

Create a feeling of abundance by scattering the spaces between large tabletop decorations with small-scale accents like coasters, gelt, curls of ribbon and cutouts. A look like this is an excellent way to make use of gift-wrapping scraps that would otherwise be headed for the recycling bin.

See More Photos: Hosting a Sparkling Blue and White Hanukkah Celebration

From: Marian Parsons

Combine Seasonal Greens With Bold Blooms

To create a striking, large-scale table arrangement like this one, begin with larger blooms like roses and irises, then add smaller flowers in similar tones (like snapdragons, lilies and daisies). Unexpected, textural fillers like eucalyptus and pine needles give this centerpiece a sculptural, wintery feel.

Create a Menorah With Votives

To create the look of a single vessel that holds nine candles, place a long, low votive holder on either side of a small glass cake pedestal. Variations in accessory height will improve the look of your tabletop all year long. In the case of this arrangement, it's traditional for the shamash ("servant" or "attendant" candle), which is lit first, to stand a bit higher or lower than the eight candles surrounding it.

See More Photos: Hosting a Sparkling Blue and White Hanukkah Celebration

From: Marian Parsons

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