Hanukkah is a lighthearted festival filled with rich traditions, many of which include food, fun, family and friends. One of the best ways to welcome the holiday and connect with those who celebrate is by sending a gift or greeting card. Below, we’re sharing some fitting ideas of what to write in a Hanukkah card. These messages are organized by category, but you can mix and match to create one that feels just right.
Inspired? Create and share by tagging @Hallmark.Hanukkah, meaning “dedication,” is an eight-day wintertime celebration during which Jews commemorate a miracle that occurred more than 2,000 years ago. At that time, Syrian-Greek leaders had banned the practice of Judaism and subsequently destroyed the Jews’ temples. A group of 40 Jews known as the Maccabees decided to rebel and rose up to defeat a Syrian army of 40,000. After the dust settled, the Jews rushed to rededicate their ruined temple in Jerusalem by lighting a menorah, or candelabrum. In the vast destruction, however, they found only enough oil to last one day. The miracle of Hanukkah is that the oil burned brightly not for one night, but eight full days—exactly the length of time necessary to produce more oil. Hanukkah primarily celebrates the miracle of the burning oil, not the act of war. During this Festival of Lights, families light the menorah, recite blessings and enjoy symbolic games like dreidel (a spinning top) and foods like latkes (potato pancakes) or sufganiyah (jelly-filled donuts). Although gifts are often exchanged, Hanukkah is not “the Jewish Christmas.” It’s also not the most important holiday on the Jewish calendar: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Passover are among the more significant Jewish holidays. Today Hanukkah is a reminder that it’s up to each of us to be a light in the darkness, and even a little light can go a long way. Find more ideas for celebrating Hanukkah here.
Share these expressions, whether as a main message or closing signoff, with anyone who celebrates Hanukkah. You’re sure to earn bonus points if you include a traditional Hebrew greeting!
Find Hanukkah gift ideas here! They’re wrapped up (pun intended) in theme nights that might inspire your family celebrations.
At Hanukkah, families are reminded of where they first learned the traditions of their faith and the significance of carrying these customs forward. Here are some meaningful ways to share gratitude and joy with the ones who raised us.
For many children, the first time lighting the menorah is a very special experience. Kids are also introduced to the holiday with symbolic games, foods and stories. Lighthearted humor makes it easy to connect with a child who’s learning the traditions of Hanukkah.
These creative kids gift wrap ideas will make unwrapping just as fun as the Hanukkah gift inside.
Whether playful or heartfelt, these are some easy phrases that share Hanukkah love with the whole family.
There’s lots of room for whimsy when it comes to celebrating Hanukkah. Bring on the “pun” and share some fun with these smile-making sentiments.
For families who share multiple traditions, the expressions below celebrate and honor the inclusive home they’ve created.
Helpful Tip: Each family is different. Some interfaith families delight in the merging of their respective holidays with fun references to “Chrismukkah” or a “Hanukkah bush.” Other families prefer to separate the traditions. If you don’t know the family’s particular approach, there are some easy ways to share your holiday joy without getting too specific.
Hanukkah is a season of miracles, after all, and speaking to the blessings received and to come is a lovely way to honor the holiday.
Sometimes we want to add a more personal touch. These notes offer a stronger connection between the meaning of Hanukkah and your relationship with the recipient.
If you’d like to craft your own message, consider including one of these meaningful phrases:
Helpful Tip: You’ve likely seen up to 20 variations of the spelling of the holiday. This is because there’s no simple transliteration from Hebrew to English. The most common spelling is “Hanukkah,” and the most traditional spelling is “Chanukah.” Both are correct.
