[If, for your own reasons, you prefer not to give gifts on
Chanuka, use these ideas for birthdays.]
Like sweets and money, receiving gifts brings happiness to
children. The anticipation of guessing what is inside and
opening the wrapping is a moment of pleasure to children.
Their self esteem soars and the whole world stands, holding
its breath, just for them. Giving Chanuka gelt or
gifts are a way of saying to children, "Relax this evening.
Feel special. Play dreidel and play with the games or
other gifts you received after we light the Chanuka candles.
This happiness will encourage you to accept the yoke of
Torah." In some communities, in past times, during Chanuka,
people used to give money to the poor, especially to poor
Torah scholars or cheder melamdim - to commemorate the
miracle which was a victory of the spirit - to gladden them.
The happiness raised the educational and community standards.
There is no real tradition for giving gifts other than the
connection between money and gifts. Gelt has been
translated in our times as store-bought gifts.
Children have the right idea when wrapping a gift to make it
the center of curiosity and play. Passing the Package is a
birthday party game that girls play which involves all of the
friends present. A box (shoebox, usually) is covered with
several layers of wrapping paper, gift wrap, newsprint,
tissue paper, aluminum foil etc. Between each layer small
prizes or notes are hidden. The box is passed around to each
girl who unwraps one layer and collects her find. The girl
who unwraps the last layer receives the main prize. An
adaptation of this game is to wrap a Chanuka gift in a box
which contains several smaller boxes covered with various
types of wrapping papers. As the child unwraps the multitude
of coverings, he or she discovers small notes and good wishes
inside. The notes can contain Chanuka riddles or questions.
The receiving of a modest gift is turned into an event.
Other gift wrapping suited for Chanuka or adapted to any
occasion can be made in the following ways:
* Decorate the tops of gift boxes with artificial flowers
(complete with stems) to be placed later in a vase.
* Use a few layers of colored clear cellophane (leftover from
Purim mishloach monos). Gather and secure at top with
ribbon or yarn.
* Use shelf paper or book wrapping paper left over from
Pesach or the first week of school.
* Stamp prints on plain white paper in a Chanuka motif: a
dreidel or Chanukia carved out from an old potato
using a dull knife. Dip stamp in goache or tempera paint or
use a stamp pad (not expensive to buy and good for rainy day
activities; comes in black, blue and red).
* Decorate plain paper with glitter (glitter stick) or glue
on pieces of confetti.
* Do a hand painted picture of a Chanuka motif, scene or
posuk.
* Use spare pieces of fabric to cover the gift. Tie on a bow
of yarn or raffia.
* Sew a pouch from a piece of material. Fold material in
half. Sew up seams on three sides. Fold top down to
accommodate a cord. Stitch. Insert cord. Pull ends and
tie.
* Make origami paper constructions, balls, boxes or cases for
small gifts such as jewelry.
* Wrap in kitchen aluminum foil. Drip several colors of
Chanuka candle wax over foil. Adult supervision is
required!
* For a very large gift such as a tricycle, wrap up a photo,
a poem, note or drawing of the gift. Give this and then bring
out the present - unwrapped.
* Attach three to five small cards to the ribbon on the box
top with different messages and wishes expecially meaningful
to the recipient of the gift.
Chanuka somayach.
* This idea can be nicely adapted to an extended family
celebration by grandparents. Each layer can include a
`parve', inexpensive gift (crayons, pen, writing pad,
stationary, ball, keychain etc.) suitable for a boy or girl
(or you can have separate circles), including a coin for the
Chanuka gelt. An enterprising cousin or aunt can do the
shopping and packing. Or if the grandparent wishes a
particular child to receive a gift, she can write a riddle
note indicating the recipient. The next layer will include a
different riddle-note with a different gift, predesigned for
the next child she has in mind, passed on in turn.
