EXTRA: Ideas for Hanukkah theme nights

Extra

December 11, 2008

Anonymous The Niagara Gazette Thu Dec 11, 2008, 07:47 PM EST

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.

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