In keeping with economic times this year, The Chronicle scoured the world in search of useful and unique Chanukah gifts that won’t stress your bank account.
Though the search was challenging, we found that not only can you give special gifts to your loved ones, but you can also do so in ways that help others in need. Here are our favorite ideas under $25 for 2008:
When shopping around for Chanukah gifts this year, look no further than your own neighborhood.
The Milwaukee Public Market (www.milwaukeepublicmarket.org), 400 N. Water St., downtown, offers a reloadable Market Card that can be used on prepared fare, groceries, cooking classes, and more.
With so many different vendors and offerings, a visit to the market can easily turn into an afternoon event. A list of vendors and classes is available on their Web site.
Instead of having everyone using plastic or paper bags at the grocery store, give a reusable canvas version instead. It saves on waste and it won’t tear as they schlep around town. PopJudaica.com offers a “Schlep” tote perfect for this purpose ($14.95).
And even though the Brewers are done for this year, if last season was any indication, the next one is sure to be just as good.
You can prepare any Brewer’s fan you know well in advance with a Hebrew Brewers baseball cap (http://www.jewishsource.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=253005&Cat=Gifts %26 Collectibles, $25). And if you fancy another team, no worries; this site sells hats for all of the major league teams.
For quite possibly the most distinctive soda flavors anyone has ever tried, Jones Soda has a special Happy Chanukah pack of sodas in all your favorite Chanukah flavors, including Latke, Apple Sauce, Chocolate Coins, and Jelly Doughnut.
The sodas are caffeine-free and kosher, and each pack contains a dreidel. Each pack is $5.99 and is available from www.jonessoda.com.
However, if your loved one prefers wine to Latke soda, www.wineglassgems.com offers a set of Chanukah wine glass charms ($16), made with Swarovski crystals and blue beads. Not only do these help guests identify their glasses, but they also add a pretty accent to a Chanukah gathering.
And of course, no Chanukah party is complete without lots of food, so you might want to consider a new cookbook, “The Jewish Holidays Cookbook: Festive Meals for Celebrating the Year,” by Jill Colella Bloomfield and Rabbi Janet Ozur Bass (www.teachkidstocook.com, $19.95).
The book contains recipes for foods traditionally served for the 11 Jewish holidays, and features kid-friendly recipes.
Children and adults will also enjoy whipping up their own batches of Chanukah cookies with special holiday cookie cutters (http://www.judaism.com/display.asp?nt=bZbS&etn=BCAAI, $3.95).
The set features a dreidel, star of David, menorah, shield and figure of a Maccabee.
Another unique baking gift is a menorah-shaped baking pan ($13.95) from OyToys.com. These tools are also great for creating cookies and cakes to give as gifts, or for your own Chanukah party.
If you know a crafty child or anyone who likes to create things, they will enjoy a beeswax Chanukah candle making kit (http://www.judaica-mall.com/hanukkah-candles-16080.htm, $14.95). The kit contains materials to make 45 candles from pure beeswax, handmade in the Galilee mountains.
Instead of a giving a physical gift, you can make a donation in your loved ones’ names to Operation Gratitude, a non-profit organization that sends care packages to American soldiers stationed in areas all over the world.
The packages contain food, letters, and more. One hundred percent of all contributions go towards the packages. Gifts can be made in any amount, and every $10 donation sends one package. Donations can be made online at http://www.opgratitude.com/howtohelp.php?page=individual.
As part of their work in the developing world, Heifer International has an online gift catalog that allows people to donate to the organization by choosing from a selection of animals and training for people, communities and families in need.
For example, a $25 share of a water buffalo can help a family in a poor village provide power for planting rice and potatoes, milk, and manure for fertilizer. It will also help with hauling produce for sale into markets, bringing in additional income.
Gifts are available in denominations from $10-$10,000 and can be personalized with a recipient’s name. View the catalog online at www.heifer.org.
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