By LISA FLAM
Associated Press Writer
Some families create gift themes on the individual nights of Hanukkah, such as pajama or movie night.
Kids get excited about the themes, anticipating what any given night will bring, and parents say it helps them appreciate their gifts more.
"The theme ends up being almost as important as the gift because we build the excitement up," Andrew Borislow, of Lower Gwynedd, Pa., who's done nights related to cooking, Harry Potter and Pokemon with his sons.
Some topical themes this year:
PLASTIC PRESENTS: Michelle Levine of Houston is getting her sons, ages 12 and 8, five or six gifts cards each this year because the shrinking economy has forced her to turn down their requests to eat out and see movies. Giving them $5 or $10 gift cards "will allow me to say 'yes' (on their dime) the next time they ask to go out for dinner or to see the new feature hitting theaters," she said.
GREEN GIFTS: Jodi R.R. Smith, of Marblehead, Mass., is celebrating with her extended family with gifts that include a hemp bicycle shirt, a botanical facial and biodegradable waste bags and all-natural dog treats. The children are getting nature-themed books and toys, bug catchers and star charts.
GIVING BACK: Following the Jewish tradition of giving to the needy, families set aside a night to make a charitable donation. A nice way to do it is to have the children donate the same gift they are getting. Cindy Edelstein, 44, of Pelham, N.Y., is giving her 11-year-old daughter pajamas, and they will also donate a matching pair.
"This way she'll be reminded of her donation and that she shared some holiday spirit every time she puts on her pink penguin pajamas," Edelstein said.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.
Extra
December 11, 2008
EXTRA: Ideas for Hanukkah theme nights
- Extra
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SLIDESHOW: 2008 Holiday Decorating Contest
Lane has two words for them and any others who might like to try their hand at winning the contest: Movement and music.
“The two things people usually forget are animation ... and music. You always get a few extra points if you have some Christmas carols playing,” he said.
- GAME NEWS: Microsoft's Community Games project COMMUNITY CHEST: Video games are like what screenplays were in the last century: Everyone has an idea for one.
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TECHNOLOGY: Adria seeks scientists' help to push food further
When Ferran Adria asks for help in the kitchen, he doesn't mean busboys.
The father of so-called molecular gastronomy — the science (or art?) of manipulating food via gelatins, liquid capsules and his now-ubiquitous foams — recently asked Harvard scientists to help him push the boundaries of food even further. - TECHNOLOGY: TechBits package 12/10/2008
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- GAMING: Downloadable content revives old games
- EXTRA: Christmas tree trains keep on chugging NEW YORK (AP) — Chris Forsyth's best Christmas was when he woke up to a train chugging around the tree, a conductor's hat and a little pair of overalls.
- EXTRA: Some tips on Christmas tree trains
- EXTRA: Hanukkah theme nights make small gifts special
- EXTRA: Ideas for Hanukkah theme nights
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