First night

Rice Krispies Treat Dreidels
Transform the classic treat into a Hanukkah treat!
Courtesy Norene Cox, Party Pinching (www.partypinching.com)
You will need: Ingredients for Rice Krispies treats, pretzel sticks, blue and white candy melts, fondant, Star of David sugar decoration (available online at www.shopbakersnook.com)
Make Rice Krispies Treats and cut into dreidel shapes. Dip into melted blue candy melts until covered. Dip pretzel sticks into melted white candy melts and push into dreidel “top.” Roll out fondant, cut out dreidel shape and place on the Rice Krispies dreidel. Top with a Star of David.

Second night

Dreidel Cupcake Toppers
Show your friends who’s “cupcake boss” with these professional-style toppers.
Courtesy Tanya Owen, As You Wish Cakes (facebook.com/
AsYouWishCakesbyTanya)
You will need: Dreidel cookie cutter, large circle and small circle cookie cutters, fondant, food coloring, edible food pen marker. Prepare fondant, dye to desired colors, and roll out with a rolling pin. With cookie cutters, cut out a large circle, a small circle and a dreidel. Place the dreidel on the large circle, then place the small circle on the dreidel. Let the topper cool for a couple hours. With the food pen, write the letters of the dreidel on the small circle. Place on cupcakes and serve — or just admire.

Third night

Hanukkah Batik
Create Indonesian-inspired
Hanukkah fabrics
Courtesy Sara Rivka Dahan,
Creative Jewish Mom
(creativejewishmom.com)
You will need: Fabric (old sheets work well), Elmer’s Washable School Gel Glue, (blue) fabric paint
Lay out fabric and create Hanukkah designs on it with the glue. (You can pre-design with pencil or chalk.) Let dry overnight. The next day, paint over the fabric and glue design. Let dry. Soak fabric in very warm water bath for 10 to 30 minutes, until glue comes off. Wring out and let dry. Enjoy your Hanukkah batik design as a tablecloth or throw, or cut and sew into bags, napkins — anything you can dream up!

Fourth Night

Tzedakah Night
Take a night to think about people in your community who may need a helping hand. Whether you use the Tzedakah section from our Nov. 2 issue, or you want to donate to Hurricane Sandy relief, or you have other social-service organizations in mind, talk with your family about people in need and the different ways it’s important to help in whatever way you can.

Fifth night

Hanukkah Prints and Cards
Use recycled Styrofoam trays to make vintage-looking holiday greetings.
Courtesy Sara Rivka Dahan, Creative Jewish Mom (creativejewishmom.com)
You will need: Styrofoam tray(s), acrylic paint, ballpoint pen, scissors, paper or cardstock
Cut off sides of styrofoam tray to create flat surface. With the pen, draw a Hanukkah design on the styrofoam, pressing down hard enough to create an imprint. Brush paint over the design and stamp onto paper or cardstock. Who needs Hallmark now?

Sixth night

Hanukkah Gift Bags
Treat kids with a festive Hanukkah goodie bag every night.
Courtesy Rita Brownstein, Design Megillah
(designmegillah.com)
You will need: Small paper gift bags, Hanukkah stickers, cardstock, mini clothespins, blue cord
Create labels by layering white cardstock on a slightly larger piece of yellow cardstock (or choose your own colors!) and decorate with Hanukkah stickers. Fill the bags with gelt, dreidels, or any other small gift items. String blue cord along a wall, window, or across a mantle and clip the bags on with clothespins.

Seventh night

Hanukkah noodles
A fun addition to Shabbat-Hanukkah chicken soup.
Courtesy Shoshana Raff, Kosher Shopaholic (koshershopaholic.com)
You will need: Lasagna noodles, Hanukkah cookie cutters
Boil lasagna noodles according to package, drain and let cool. Lay noodles out on a cutting board, and with cookie cutters cut out Hanukkah shapes. Add to soup, or just eat with butter!

Eighth night

Oil Menorah
An easy way to make a menorah your own beautiful creation.
Courtesy Rita Brownstein, Design Megillah (designmegillah.com)
You will need: Glass votives, paint or food coloring, olive oil, floating wicks
Pour an equal amount of water into each glass. Add a few drops of paint or food coloring to create desired colors. Pour about 1/8 inch of olive oil into each glass, and place a floating wick on top of the oil. For a shamash, fill a votive or shot glass with kosher salt and stick a regular Hanukkah candle in the salt.