A stuffed menorah, Hebrew-speaking dolls, gelt wallets or Yiddish bibs? No, these aren’t gifts you are likely to see during a Chanukah gift shopping expedition at the mall.
But when it comes to buying gifts, I always find that the most distinctive ones aren’t available in many local stores — but I can find them in all price ranges online with just a few clicks of my mouse.
That’s why I love the ease of online shopping. I like being able to take my time searching for and comparing the perfect gifts, adding them to my shopping cart to look at later, or to purchase on the spot. And for busy parents, this option makes even more sense.
Online shopping is even more convenient when you need to send gifts to friends or relatives who live elsewhere, because you can have everything wrapped and shipped directly to them.
So this year why not try shopping for Chanukah gifts online?
The Web has gift options for children of all ages, many of which are more educational than what you might find at a typical toy store. And if you search through several of these Web sites, you may even find a Chanukah gift or two for yourself.
I searched some of the larger Jewish gift sites to find the most unique Chanukah gifts and decorations for kids this year.
Most of the Jewish gift sites offer items for any age. Some even have entire sections devoted to children.
Judaism.com has a special “Chanukah store” with everything parents need to celebrate the holiday with their children, including music, decorations, special Chanukah table and kitchenware, videos, toys and games.
They also have a Chanukah craft section, with activities and kits, such as a Chanukah rubber stamp set ($3.50), a “Make Your Own Beeswax Candles” set ($9.95), a “Make Your Own Chanukah Decorations” kit ($4.95), and Chanukah finger puppet kits ($4.99 and $7.95).
The site offers free shipping for orders of more than $75. The Judaica Gift Store, www.judaicagiftstore.com, also offers gift-wrapping as well as free shipping for orders over $125.
Chosencouture.com features Chanukah gifts for babies and young children, including Yiddish bibs that say “Shmutz” and “Nosh” ($16).
Then there’s “My First Menorah” ($12.99), a plush stuffed menorah that “provides all the fun of lighting a real menorah without the fire hazard.” It comes with nine stuffed candles that can be stored in the front pocket.
Chosencouture.com also sells the Hebrew speaking dolls by Language Littles ($36.99). You can choose from “Sarah” or “David.” Each doll speaks 25 Hebrew words and phrases, including greetings, colors, and favorite activities. The dolls come with a translation booklet.
Kids can also “fry” their own latkes with the Chanukah wooden toy set from Oytoys.com ($30). The set comes with a wooden pan, latkes, gelt and a menorah. The site also features a large selection of Chanukah books and other educational materials. They also accept orders by phone at 1-888-CHAI-KID.
KinderKlassics.com offers Jewish books and more for children, including a special Yiddish book section, with titles such as “George der Naygeriker” (“Curious George,” $18). They also have Chanukah sing-along CD’s and many Chanukah books. They have free shipping with orders over $60.
Kids of all ages will need something to keep track of all that Chanukah gelt they will receive this year, and what better way to do it then give them their own special “Gelt” wallet ($7.99), from Jewish.com? Available in six colors, the slim folding wallet has the word “Gelt” printed in large letters on its front.
Jewish.com also has a huge selection of other gifts for young children to teens, including personalized baby blankets in Hebrew or English ($75) and Jewish jewelry such as those ubiquitious rubber bracelets with sliding Hebrew letters (they start at $30 depending on number of characters) and silver Hebrew letter block necklaces (they start at $34).
Online shopping can be great fun and convenient — no crowds, no hassle and no in-your-face Christmas decorations. And you can’t beat the parking.
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