Every year, the same dilemma arises for many of us. What should we buy our children and grandchildren for Chanukah? On the one hand, it’s such a pleasure, and on the other hand, it’s a little burdensome. As a grandparent, I absolutely will not give my children or grandchildren money as a gift. I want to give them something that they know I took the time to choose for them (even though they might return it the next day).

I listened carefully this morning as the Today Show announced the top winners of toys for young children. For a baby beginning to sit, up to one year, they suggest “Sitting Up Babies.” It looked like real fun for very little ones. For the one- and two-year-old, the “Bright Beats Smart Touch Play Space” as well as “Frankie the Frog and His Flying Machine” was suggested. “The Mega Blok Block Scooping Wagon” was something that I would be happy to have in my house. The child is able to pull it and it scoops up the blocks. Looks like fun.

Elmo, experiencing a resurgence from a few years back, actually won the award this year for the best toy. It is called “Play All Day Elmo.”

“The Wonderball Fun House” as well as “Design and Drill Brightworks” for four- and five-year-olds also seemed to work wonders in keeping children busy and entertained.

In researching this article, I read suggestions that families can designate each day of Chanukah to be set aside for a different type of gift. One day would be books, one day puzzles and, the most interesting and intriguing to me, was that one day should be suggested to give the child money to give to a tzedakah. Even more effective would be to take the child somewhere where they can personally make this delivery.

We all know that as children get older it becomes more difficult to think of what to purchase for them. Gift cards and art and tech supplies always seem to work well. The idea of a tzedakah should resonate loudly with the older recipient as well.

My biggest concern is always that we should not have to break the bank in order to celebrate Chanukah. Dollar stores work wonders for young children and sometimes even offer surprises for the older child.

This year, let’s make the miracle of Chanukah that we do not go bankrupt from this chag.

By Nina Glick