TIMES 8 Best and Worst Gifts for Hanukkah
Photo by Julia Cheng
Hanukkah is halfway over and the gifts are almost gone.
Here’s a look at some of the greatest and the most terrible possible gifts you could find next to your menorah tomorrow night. This list can also be a cautionary read for last minute shoppers rushing to buy something.
1. Worst: Gelt
Waxy chocolate covered in tin to look like gold coins is a gift a toddler will adore. Anyone else and it is a token gift to say we thought of you, but not enough to give you anything of interest.
2. Best: Money/Gift Card
Receiving money or a gift card is wonderful because it lets people decide their own present and sometimes it just makes more sense if you don’t know the person very well.
3. Worst: Fuzzy Socks
Across all ages, across all genders, and across all first world countries, fuzzy socks are the epitome of the done-to-death gift. Everyone and their mother has multiple pairs of these fluffy, brightly colored abominations. Don’t be a cliche and give fuzzy socks.
4. Best: Tickets/Event plans
This kind of gift is likely given by a close friend or family member. A best friend who knows which concert you’ve been talking about non-stop or parents who want to treat you to a special outing or meal.
5. Worst: Explicitly non-Jewish things
Bacon cheese burgers and clam chowder, both delicious meals, but highly inappropriate for Jews who keep kosher.
6. Best: Electronics
While electronics sounds pricey, a nice pair of noise canceling headphones is an awesome and useful gift that is sure to make listening to music or movies really fun.
7. Worst: Explicitly non-you things
Similar to non-Jewish gifts, this type of gift is from the person who knows nothing about you. For instance, fancy dark roast coffee beans for a herbal tea drinker, a beef jerky of the month subscription for a vegan, or The Last Airbender movie for an Avatar: The Last Airbender television series fan. These kinds of gifts epically fail at being gifts.
8. Best: Thoughtful, personal, and meaningful
Gifts that reflect the connection you and the gift giver have are heart-warming. The amount spent doesn’t matter as much as the sincere intention of making someone happy. When someone gives you thoughtful gifts relating only to you as a person, it’s of the best gifts.
No matter what you get or don’t for Hanukkah, spending time with family and friends is fun, festive, and exciting.
You must be logged in to post a comment.