Decorations hung on the inside of our windows are a way to
amplify the miracle of Chanuka. It is also a cheerful
reinforcement of the symbols of Chanuka and what they
represent for children. The windows of our homes then become
a meeting ground of the world outside and the inside of our
homes and observances.
The following decorations are appropriate for both home and
school.
1) WINDOW PAINTING
Yes, this is exactly what it sounds like. The children paint
on your windows. It's almost like a dream, the clear, airy,
open space and the permission to do it. If you tape
newspapers or plastic to the floor and the surroundings,
there will be very little clean up. The result will be a
view to a sky full of colorful Chanuka menorahs, oil jugs,
candles, dreidels and hot latkes.
MATERIALS
Paints, watercolors, tempera (from powder or premixed) or
quache.
DO NOT USE PAINTS WITH OIL, PLASTIC, STARCH OR PASTE.
Paint brushes / plastic sheeting / newspapers and tape
Sponge and soapy water for removing paint from windows,
paper towels
DIRECTIONS
Protect area and floor around windows.
Do a sample area. Let dry. Wash off.
Paint on inside of window.
Remove paint after Chanuka.
2) CUT-AWAY CHANUKIA MENORAH WINDOW
The light from the sky shows through the cut-away design.
You will have two menorahs. One is a `negative space'
menorah. Cut- away space creates the form of the menorah.
This is similar to the space of the glass in a stained glass
piece. The menorah is illuminated by the night light from
outside. The second one is made from the part that was cut
away. Tape both on windows.
MATERIALS
Black construction paper. This is most effective when paper
covers the whole window rather than a section of it. Minimum
size 8 x 11 1/2 inches for small windows or section of
window. Maximum size depends on size of window.
Pencil, scissors, ruler, tape
A window safely AWAY from the Chanuka lights
DIRECTIONS
Cutaway Method One
Fold paper in half. Draw one half of the menorah. Use fold
line for a guide of placing the shammash. Leave a
very wide margin around the cut out area. The frame will
keep the paper from collapsing.
For an 8 x 11 inch paper, draw a 4 x 2 inch line for the
base (the platform that the candles stand on). A 1 x 1 1/2
inch vertical stand centered below the base. A 1 1/2 x 1 1/2
inch foot extending to the side of the base at the bottom.
Draw the shammash 3 inches tall by 1/4 inch wide
along the center fold line. Draw each of the four lights 2
inches tall by 1/2 inch wide. Leave 1/2 inch between them.
Draw cups to hold the lights 1/2 inch at the top. Draw a
flame 1/2 inch from the top of the cup.
Double, triple or quadruple these measurements according to
your paper size.
Tape to window and watch the `light' of the menorah.
Optional: Make up your own measurements and/or design.
Optional: Tape colored cellophane behind the cut-away spaces
to give color and stained glass effect.
Optional: For an easy variation, cut out a freehand menorah
shape.
Cutout Chanukia
Decorate the cut-out menora with glitter, paper mosiacs,
fabric paint, yarn or paint. Tape to window.
3) TRANSLUCENT DREIDEL
MATERIALS
Two sheets of wax paper 5 x 5 inches or larger
Three or more colored sheets of tissue (crepe) paper
Pencil, scissors
Iron
Newspaper or rags
Tape or string
Cut or tear pieces of tissue paper into small pieces. Place
tissue pieces between two sheets of wax paper. Place on
ironing board covered with newspaper or old rags. Place more
paper or rag over wax paper and iron. Draw a large driedel
shape as large as the paper. Cut out. Hang on window with
tape or attach a string at top and suspend from ceiling.
4) STAINED GLASS COOKIE DREIDEL OR CHANUKIA
This is a variation on the Edible Stained Glass Chanuka
Cookies that appeared in the Yated Family Section four
Chanuka issues back. [This is NOT edible.]
* Mix up a batch of Baker's Clay from 1 cup flour, 1/3 cup
salt, 1/3 to 1/2 cup water and a few drops of vegetable
salad oil. Other recipes are also good.
* Prepare a cookie tray lined with baking parchment or waxed
paper.
* Roll out several `ropes'. Arrange on tray to resemble a
large dreidel, candle or other Chanuka symbol. Make
all the cookies at least 4 x 4 inches.
* Make sure each shape is enclosed or framed with the rope
`outline'. This prevents the melted stain-glass candy from
melting out.
* Make a hole at top for hanging.
* The dough expands while baking, so make the hole and
Chanuka shapes larger than realistic.
* Crush lollipop or other clear hard candy in several
plastic bags with a hammer. Do one color at a time and put
in separate cups. Amount of candies will depend on size of
open area in cookies. Use 2-5 candies per `cookie'.
* Bake cookie outline shapes in a moderate oven until dough
slightly browns. Be careful not to overdo.
* Remove from oven and fill in spaces with crushed
candies.
* Return to oven for about four minutes, watching carefully
to prevent from burning.
* Remove from oven and let cool.
* Attach string and hang in front of window.
The cookies will look good enough to eat but are NOT
edible.
OPTIONAL: Use colored cellophane paper in place of melted,
crushed lollipop candies.
OPTIONAL: Paint these cookies.
Bake dough shapes. Let cool. Cut out pieces of colored
cellophane paper one half inch larger than the openings in
`cookies' and glue on from behind.
