With the month of November already half way over, you may already be thinking about what you plan to do for Hanukkah fun. This amazing holiday has a lot to offer, including a wide assortment of ways to bring even more festivity to the celebration. Although many people choose not to decorate for Hanukkah, those that do or have the pressure of Home Owner Association on their back, may have a hard time finding frugal decor items to show off their holiday event. Luckily, there’s lots of great ways to decorate using items you can make with your own two hands. So, round up the family and have a little fun this season as you decorate for the big occasion.
1. Lights
If you like to keep things simple and subtle then buying exterior lights can be one of the best ways to get in some decorations without being too in your face about your decorative options. White and blue lights can be found any time holiday lights are being sold, so you shouldn’t have to look too far to find what you’re looking for. Of course, you should be careful as to which lights you choose to buy though. For instance, any lights labeled Energy Star will help you get the most out of your lights without forcing you to spend a small fortune. LED lights will also allow you to have brighter, more vibrant lights, without adding a whole lot to your power bill. You may want to shop the clearance section too, if you want to find the best deals. Usually, lights take a huge price hike after the holidays, which is sure to help you find plenty of decorative items for next year.
2. Tinsel Star of David
Another simple option is to make your own Star of David with beautiful tinsel to draw attention to it. All you need to do this is to grab some cardboard, if you plan on keeping the item indoors, or scrap wood, if you plan on keeping the item outdoors. Simply cut and glue or nail the cardboard or wood together to form your Star of David. You can keep the item small or large depending on the message you want to send out or where you will be displaying the item. Once you have the star complete and it is dry, you should choose silver, blue or white paint to give it a nice coat. Then, when this is dry take a glue gun or staple gun and begin to put down your tinsel. The tinsel will stand out more if you choose the opposite color than you did for your paint. For instance, if you chose silver paint then use blue tinsel for a dramatic effect. Once this is done you can add lights if you want. The Star of David can be hung up like a wreath or mounted to the ground for a spectacular look.
3. Dreidel Wall Hanging
The dreidel plays a great role in the celebration of Hanukkah, which also makes it a great idea for decorating. One way to accomplish this is through the old-fashioned tapestry method. All you need for this is some old fabric, tassels, glue and paint. There’s many tutorials for this online and you will be surprised as to how fashionable it looks when you’re finished with the item. In fact, you may choose to leave it up all day long. If you don’t want to spend time on a craft, then have the children get to work. They can create dreidels out of popsicle sticks, brown bags or simple paper. You can also print out coloring sheets for them to fill in and hang up on the wall. You could even hang old dreidels up from the ceiling to add to the charm of your holiday decor.
4. Renovate Menorah
Menorahs are a beautiful festive item that can transform your home in one easy swoop. If you have an old and beat up menorah that you stopped using, then now may be the right time to pull it back out to show off to friends and family. If you don’t have an old menorah to work with then shop around at a thrift store or look for a cheap one in any store that may sell them. Once you have the perfect one to work with then let your imagination soar. You can add onto it to give it a modern flair that will look great on display or you can restore it to give it an ancient style that your ancestors would have been proud to use. You can even let the children work on their own menorah to see what they come up with. You might even consider having them decorate based on what the holiday means to them, so they will learn from the craft and take pride in their heritage.
5. Gift Tree
Tis the season for giving, so a gift tree may be a great addition to your home. The tree can be made of any fake or real tree that you already have in the home too. You can also build your own using stray branches you find outside. If you choose to go the faux tree or branch route, then you may want to consider painting the tree gold. This will help create a beautiful look that is sure to stand out. Once your tree is ready to go, hang ornaments like dreidels and the Star of David on it. It’ll creature a beautiful style that is certain to make gift giving amazing. Since Hanukkah isn’t all about the gifts, you should be able to fit your gifts under the tiny tree, which will add to the magic of the holiday. The tree can also make a great centerpiece for your serving area.
6. Snowglobes
Snowglobes are a winter classic that can be used for just about any holiday you can think of. So, why not decorate your home in snowglobes for Hanukkah? These globes are simple to make and will mesmerize the children while they show off their art skills too. Better yet, you can even use some of the globes as a gift for relatives or guests. The globes don’t have to be too intricate, especially if the younger children are working on them. All you need is water, silicone, glue and an old mason jar to create the globe. Then, add fake snow or glitter to create a beautiful effect. You can even add a dreidel, Star of David, menorah or anything else that strikes your fancy. You’ll fall in love with how easy these are to make and how cute they look with the rest of your amazing holiday decorations.
7. Gelt Table Decor
One popular item around the holiday is gelt, but this item can go a lot further than your games and snacks. Instead of giving away all of your gelt, save some to use as decor. You can glue the beautiful pieces together to create a table runner that certainly won’t go unnoticed when your dinner table is all set up. You can also sprinkle gelt throughout the table to add the little touch of shimmer that will certainly grab the kids’ attention. Once the meal is finished, kids can snack on the gelt pieces or use them for their games. You might also consider gluing gelt to toilet paper rolls or other items to create cute napkin holders that are sure to change the way your table looks. There’s lots of great ideas for gelt though, so get creative and have a little fun with your decorating time.
8. Dreidel Gift Box
If you plan on treating the children visiting during the holiday to a little something special, then you may want to try your hand at making a dreidel gift box. There’s lots of different ways to go about this though, so you can find an option that works specifically for you. These boxes are great because you can hide them all over the house as decorative items before you gift them out. You can even make a hide and seek game out of the gifting, which will make the decor fun as well as the time spent in the home. Most of the boxes don’t require a whole lot of work either, which is sure to make life a whole lot easier as you plan out your treats and the rest of the party. The best thing is, when the kids have pulled out the treats from the boxes, they can use the dreidels as toys that will help keep them entertained for hours on end.
9. A Luminaries
Nothing sets the mood quite like dim lighting on your holiday table. A luminary is a great way to accomplish this while still keeping your budget in check. One way to create a fun luminary is to take an old tin can and polish it up. You can add paint or stain for effect too. Once you have the can how you want it, punch small holes in the shape of a dreidel, Star of David, menorah or a special message. Your options are endless, so let your imagination run wild. Once the holes are complete, add tea lights, a candle or battery operated lights to the mix and admire your creation. You can also make one of these with a mason jar. Use mod podge to add tissue paper to the jar in any color you like. Then use a darker color to add on the dreidel or other decorative item. Once everything is dry, add your light and you’ll be good to go.
10. DIY Chain
Another simple craft to add to your decorative items is a chain. Most kids will know how to make these, which could help keep them busy as they help you decorate the home. You can make the chain out of just about anything, which will make finding supplies a breeze. Magazines are a great option, especially if you have a bunch you want to get rid of. The chains can be used for a variety of things too. You can turn them into a menorah, hang them around doors and windows or drape them from anything you have in mind. The chains can also be used as a fun countdown down for the kids to get even more excited about the upcoming holiday. When the holiday arrives, you can add a game to each link of the chain. The kids can then tear off this link to find out what fun is in store for them every day of the holiday.
Decorating for Hanukkah doesn’t have to leave you feeling frazzled. These ten simple ideas will allow you to find the perfect look for your home, while allowing the family to have a lot of fun with the decorating process. You may even find your guests in a cheerier mood as they celebrate the holiday surrounded by your lovely decor.
