The eight days of Hanukkah are ample time to celebrate as a family as well as with neighbors and friends. This is the holiday when Jewish people celebrate two things that happened during the time of the Second Temple. One is the victory over the Syrian Greeks who sought to destroy the Jewish people and their religion. The other is the miracle of the one-day oil supply for the Temple’s menorah that lasted eight days. This holiday is not a major festival but nonetheless, it has taken on several traditions beyond lighting the menorah when night falls.
Your senior will want to light the candles after saying the blessings. Candles may be wax, oil, or electric. Singing Hanukkah songs is traditionally part of the activity of candle lighting. If family cannot be present, join by video chat. Watch each other light and sing together. You may want to send the words to the songs just before to facilitate participation.
Another traditional activity is playing dreidel. That’s a simple four-sided top with a Hebrew letter on each side. Each letter indicates what follows. If the top lands on one letter, you have to give to the others. Google to learn the simple rules and enjoy the play with coins, chocolate coins, or chocolate chips. If your senior has dietary restrictions, find a treat to play with. It’s more fun than playing with money.
Buy plain dreidel shaped cookies and decorate them with tubes of gel icing before the family gets together. This is easy to arrange with the help of the aide or Instacart. It’s nice for the grandparent to bring something to the party besides gifts.
Decorate the door or the main room with homemade decorations. Craft activities are more engaging for all family members than buying tinsel and cardboard decorations online or at the store. Be sure to have ample supplies for a banner, paper menorahs, etc. This is an opportunity for your senior to teach his favorite craft or hobby to the younger set.
Eating donuts and latkes, potato pancakes, is traditional during the eight days of Hanukkah because of the connection to the miracle of the oil. Making them from scratch is a big messy deal but if you plan it well for early in t he day of your party, it can work. Remember to leave time for cleanup.
Play family trivia games at your get together. Involve the senior in planning the questions with a partner in advance. Contributing, not just partaking, makes more meaning for the senior.
Plan a family talent show for a zoom party. Everyone can participate no matter the age or the distance. A five-year-old can demonstrate his expert hugs from the comfort of his home. Grandma can demonstrate her expert crocheting. Adult son Dave can show his juggling abilities. Keep it light and the laughter will ensue. Remember to appoint an MC who can make the introductions and give a running commentary as he passes the mic.
If you enjoyed this, Caring Professionals has lots of holiday tips to ensure everyone enjoys themselves:
- Gift-Giving Made Easy: A Caregiver’s Guide to Helping Grandma
- Creativity and Caregiving
- Nine Tips for Hosting your Family During the Holidays
- How to have Hopeful Holidays with your Senior
- 12 Stress Busters for Caregivers around the Holidays
- 8 Things to Know about Celebrating Hanukkah with a Senior
- A Simple Guide for Caregivers for Rosh Hashanah with your Senior
