It’s almost Chanukah 2020. Never in recent memory has there been a Chanukah season where so much cheer (and cheering up) was needed, and when ordering online was really the perfect solution. These days, when our loved ones must be kept at arm’s length, and our affection must be delivered via mail, are really an ideal setup for those hoping to send a little piece of Israel to their friends and family. You may not be able to visit the Holy Land for the time being, and vice versa, but we can send what we love most about Israel to every corner of the world.

Here are our picks for Israeli and Israel-themed goods, worth gifting during this most unique Chanukah season.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then how many are four worth? This set of photographic prints captures the spirit of the Israeli desert, from the Ramon Crater to the majestic Judean hills, in a compact enough size that your loved ones can display the show-stopping beauty of Israel in several corners of their home, wherever that may be.

Let’s face it, we’re all doing a lot more home cooking these days! And since there’s almost no hope of getting to the shuk anytime soon, the second best option would have to be sending out this adorable spice kit from Israeli brand Pereg. Including little tubes of vibrant Israeli staples such as cumin, Moroccan paprika and Israeli grill spice, this collection can be used to whip up your favorite Israeli dishes and brighten up your cooking during the cold, dreary winter. This easily qualifies for the gift-one-to-a-friend, get-one-for-yourself-rule.

Whether it be a unique hamsa necklace or a stunning statement necklace made from ancient Roman glass found at Israel’s archaeological sites, everyone loves to receive jewelry, right? Good for gifting anytime of the year, either of these would be especially well-received by the stressed out family member who could use an extra special little treat right about now.

For your wanderlust-struck friend, who just can’t get over that missed vacation or trip that’s on the backburner, try gifting a night scene of Tel Aviv, into which they can literally snuggle down for some sweet dreams.

Although intended for a Friday night kiddush, we don’t see why you can’t use this wine fountain (with eight kiddush cups) for a little Chanukah fun. This piece really is a centerpiece that will be the talk of the lucky recipient’s holiday table. Gift it alongside a bottle of Israeli red, and you’ll be golden.

This “snowless” snow globe containing a scene of an Israeli lifeguard post was created as one of a series of three 3D-printed, hand-painted and signed artworks by artist Shaul Cohen. Representing a series of quirky, yet mundane, Israeli scenes (the others are of a popular lottery stand commonly seen throughout cities, and a fortified cement bus stop for soldiers), the collection’s name, “Chutzpah in a Bubble,” reflects the artist’s collaboration with The Chutzpah Center’s “Originalities” project encouraging Israeli artists to think outside the box.

Before you call us cheesy, take a moment to contemplate the fun that this gift brings! It may, after all, be all your office mates need to up the merriment during that umpteenth Zoom meeting this year. It lights up, it constantly spins, and it brings some serious Chanukah spirit to the table.

This past year has been nothing short of a disaster, so why not spring for a fresh start and buy some new Judaica for your downtrodden friend? We vote for a totally gorgeous chanukiya, like this more affordable brass one with a vintage feel.

Isn’t half the fun of Chanukah recalling the bravery of the Maccabees? Nothing brings an ancient flair to the festival more than turning off the lights and getting into the holiday spirit with the flicker of an ancient oil lamp replica—yes, the kind you see in museums and at archaeological sites! It’s definitely a good one to gift the history buff in your life.

We Israelis really are crazy about chickpeas! They are, after all, the main ingredient in the nation’s two most popular dishes, with which we are simply obsessed—creamy hummus and crunchy, fried falafel. But chickpea-based whiskey? Yes, apparently, it’s a thing, as not one, but two versions of it are produced by the Golan Heights Distillery.

If you know anyone who’s longing for a little taste of handcrafted artisanal products coming out of Israel, then you’ve got to hook them up with an Israeli Box this holiday season. Available as a one-time order, or in a variety of subscription options, it’s all the things you love most about Israel, from some of the county’s best and most innovative craftsmen and small business owners, wrapped up in one (very cute) package. Every box contains a treat to eat, a little something fun, a piece of Judaica, a beauty product and an item from one of the 12 non-profit social causes the company is partnered with, making it a fun and surprising gift to unbox, every time.

Who wouldn’t love digging into some much-missed Israeli supermarket snacks? These would be perfect to consume during an Israeli-themed movie night.

This CD from Idan Raichel—one of Israel’s most commercially successful and treasured musicians—came out last year, but with all that’s going on, you probably missed it. Don’t fret, you can catch up in no time by listening to Raichel’s soothing Hebrew music, which carries a global appeal and remains relevant over time. And since music can be a healing force, it also makes for a thoughtful holiday gift this year.

Fine watch entrepreneur Morris Weiss, a recent immigrant to Israel from the UK, created a luxury watch inspired by Israeli accomplishments and the recent Israel-UAE Abraham Accords. Within six days of its launch in mid-November, the IDW (Israeli Designer Watch) garnered 31,000 video views and 1,500 likes for a social-media post by an Emirati owner of the watch. The blue-and-white watch comes in a limited edition of 300 pieces and boasts a transparent, individually numbered case-back, exhibiting the inner workings of the watch. The crown on the side to adjust the time is topped with a prominent Star of David. Weiss says he is “now refining a design for an even more precious, high-end watch which will incorporate the flags of both the UAE and Israel.” The IDW watch is available from www.idweditions.com�

By Jessica Halfin /Israel21c

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