25+ DIY Hanukkah Decoration Ideas

Looking to make homemade Hanukkah decorations for the holiday? This page is full of ideas for DIY Hanukkah crafts.

Each year, on the 25th day of the month of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar (usually November or December on the Gregorian calendar), Jewish families around the globe celebrate the holiday of Hanukkah.

After a small group of Jewish warriors, the Maccabees, were able to overthrow the Greek-Syrians and reclaim their ancient temple in Jerusalem, a miracle happened. This took place in the second century.

The Maccabees found a small container of oil, which would light the menorah at the temple for one day. Instead, the oil lasted for eight days, in what is now called the Hanukkah miracle.

This miracle is celebrated on the holiday of Hanukkah. Hanukkah in America is a joyful festival of lights celebrated near the winter solstice.  

What traditions are there during Hanukkah?

Lighting the menorah: For Jews who celebrate Hanukkah, lighting a menorah has been the primary ritual for the last 1,800 years.

Here crafters can find many articles with ideas for making menorahs, from crocheted menorahs to menorahs made of twigs! Look for all of the unique and interesting DIY Hanukkah decorations to celebrate the tradition of lighting the menorah.

Displaying the menorah: The lit menorah is usually placed in a window of the home to announce that this great miracle took place.

Playing dreidel: A four-sided dice is spun with a group, each side of the dice having a letter for “a great miracle happened there". Look for the craft on this page showing how to make a wall hanging with dreidel pockets perfect for stashing gifts.

Giving gelt: Gelt is the Yiddish word for money, and chocolate discs wrapped in gold foil are given to represent collecting money to buy or make clothing for poor students in local schools.

In the 19th century, Jews in Europe started giving coins to their own children. Check the crochet pattern for a blue and white gift bag to hold Hanukkah gelt to make for the kiddos.

Singing Hanukkah songs: Although not as prevalent as Christmas songs, there is no shortage of songs sung for this holiday.

Eating foods cooked in oil: To symbolize the miracle of the oil to light the original menorah, two traditional foods are cooked in oil and eaten for the holiday: latkes and donuts.

Giving gifts: Giving gifts at Hanukkah began in the late 1800’s when Jewish Americans began adopting the Christian custom. A gift is usually given on each of the eight days of the holiday. Check out the cute Hanukkah gift tags made with washi tape!

This page has wonderful Hanukkah decorations that represent the traditions of this beautiful festival of lights. Scroll down to see the many ideas we’ve gathered to make this glowing holiday special.

Check out the page on Hanukkah crafts for kids to make, too!