8 Gifts That Give Back for Hanukkah & Any Holiday You’re Celebrating

Hanukkah gift-giving (or any holiday) is an opportunity to show your loved ones you care. It’s also a chance to care for the world, too. Incorporating tikkun olam, Hebrew for “repairing the world,” into your celebration of Hanukkah, Christmas and any other winter occasion can add meaning and significance during the darkest time of the year. With one gift suggestion for each night of Hanukkah (or for each of your friends or loved ones), you can feel good about exploring these gifts that give and give back.

bicycle chain menorah

1. Go Hipster

This bicycle chain menorah is made out of recycled materials by fair trade artisans in India. It’s also a great piece of Judaica for a young couple who want to start creating a modern Jewish home.

fairtradejudaica.org

socks for Hanukkah

2. Life Doesn’t Sock

Everyone loves socks for Hanukkah! Consider Conscious Step, which donates money to a cause with each purchase or Bombas, which donates a pair of socks to someone in need for every pair purchased.

consciousstep.com

chocolate

3. Chocoholics Rejoice (If it’s you, we won’t judge.)

Endangered Species chocolate bars are fair trade and 10% of net profits help wildlife. For holiday-themed options, you can also buy guilt free (fair trade), kosher gelt.

chocolatebar.com

books

4. A Book a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

For the literary-minded on your list, consider purchasing from Better World Books. They support both literacy efforts worldwide and environmental sustainability through their online store.

betterworldbooks.com

Peace Love Light decor

5. Open Doors with Jewish Décor

From pretty table settings to modern Judaica, Peace Love Light is our go-to for Jewish home décor. Get 10% off your purchase with code 18Doors and support 18Doors in the process. Did you know we’re a non-profit? A portion of the proceeds from your gift will be donated to us.

peacelovelightshop.com

bath and body gift set

6. Keeping the Earth—and Ourselves—Clean

Have a tree-hugger in your life? Help your loved ones help the environment by gifting them this plastic-free bath and body gift set from Good JuJu.

etsy.com

snack basket

7. Snack Attack

Packed with Purpose’s “work from home” snack basket is a perfect, thoughtful gift this year. The company empowers women and small business owners while giving back to communities making an impact by working with purpose-driven companies.

packedwithpurpose.gifts

8. The Importance of Self-Love

With all the stress of life, treat yourself to The Omer Workbook, a 49-day self-care immersion that uses the themes of the Counting of Omer (the days between the second day of Passover and the holiday of Shavuot). Activities include journaling, art and connecting with family and friends. A portion of the proceeds is donated to Trans Lifeline, which provides peer-to-peer support for members of the trans community in crisis.

goldherring.com

Appreciate Hanukkah Gift Giving

Remember that the tradition of Hanukkah is about faith, courage, and love. It is about having the freedom to choose who you are, and not who anyone else is. For Hanukkah this year, celebrate who you are and spend time with your loved ones. While gift-giving on Hanukkah is not a must, it can show others how much you mean to each other by sharing something simple like the ideas we have provided in this article.


Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

Miriam Steinberg-Egeth is passionate about bringing people together, fostering a cohesive Jewish community and helping individuals find their Jewish paths. She serves in multiple professional roles in the Philadelphia Jewish community, including as the creator and writer of Miriam’s Advice Well for the Jewish Exponent. Miriam lives in Center City Philadelphia with her husband and two children.