Hosting a Chanukah party...menu and decorations help!

jerzgirl25

Decided last minute to host a huge party in honor of Chanukah! Got the date set....now what? I am planning on having dinner buffet style, and possibly catering in. I am going to have a homemade latkes (potato pancakes) bar, with various toppings.

Other than that...not sure. Unfortunately Chanukah decorations are few and far between, but I want things to look festive and fun.

Any ideas? Also, ages will range from toddlers to our crowd (30's) and beyond. 

Thanks!!! 

TarHeels&Rebels

Here's a blog post with some good ideas.

Here are some recipes.

And here's how Martha does Hanukkah.

And here are the Hanukkah pins on Pinterest.

Lots of NYE ideas use blue & white (cue Ginger to post), so you might get some inspiration there.

I'm sorry I can't offer specific help; I don't have any Jewish friends and my knowledge of Hanukkah is limited to 4th grade social studies   When you get some ideas, feel free to bounce them off of us - the logistics of any party are the same

jacksjerseygirl

We have lots of chanukah decorations. There are actually lots of them out there or you can make your own. 

Have fun!

wejustwant2:)

Hi!  Sounds like fun - do you know if any of your guests have any dietary restrictions ( or keep Kosher)? 

I always think of Smoked Salmon/Gravlax/Whitefish Salad etc. when I think of Jewish Cuisine.  The company I worked for used to do "Smoked Salmon Lollipops" which were seasoned goat cheese on a Lollipop stick covered in Lox.  (Awesome).

 There are also lots of different regional specialties - so not sure what you're interested in - or if you just want great festive "party food" ideas.  Maybe even an "Around the World" menu - and have some of it catered or delivered from a great local restaurant.

Also... there are lots of Dreidels and Hanukkah supplies at our Target but also on Party City's website I found these cute plates:

 http://www.partycity.com/product/playful+menorah+hanukkah+party+supplies.do?sortby=ourPicks&size=all&from=Search&navSet=hannukah

Re: range of ages... if you are expecting a lot of kids - maybe have an entertainer or something fun there for them to do as well.  (Balloon Twister/Face Painter etc.).

Please follow-up with any quetions/post party photos etc.

Cheers!

Magdala9

A latke bar sounds wonderful.  The trick is to keep them crisp.  I layer the cooked latkes on a cookie sheet with layers or paper toweling and keep in 250 degree oven.  Change the toweling frequently so that the bottom layer does not get mushy. 

My grandmother made rugelach every year which was always a hit with us kids. Crudites and fresh fruit are a great way to get some nutrients into the kids.   With the smaller kids in our family, cut up French bread is always a hit.   

TarHeels&Rebels

I found these printables on a blog the other day.