The Luxe Jewish Life Guide to Hanukkah Gifts for Your Jewish Bestie

Your Jewish bestie: she’s the one who sends you the best Jewish memes, reminds you when the holidays start, and always knows where to find the city’s best babka. You’ve laughed with her, cried with her, kvetched and kvelled with her.

And this Hanukkah, she deserves more than a standard-issue gift. She deserves sparkle with soul. Whether her vibe is balabusta, Jewish joy queen, champion challah baker, or self-care connoisseur, we’ve curated some fabulous picks for besties of all stripes.

So get yourself a hot drink, put on your favorite Hanukkah playlist, and explore gifts that will make her feel seen, celebrated, and cherished.

For Your Bestie Who’s Got Goals to Smash 

Part goal planner, part gratitude journal, part non-judgmental Jewish BFF, our bestselling Jewish Joy Journal will help her show up as her best self. With six months’ worth of daily prompts that bring joy, purpose, and Jewish values, this is such an uplifting, soul-nourishing way to encourage your bestie as she works toward her goals.

For Your Bestie Who Likes Just a Little Bit of Glitz

This pearl chai necklace is so delicately elegant, and it’s the perfect way to add just a little bit extra to her daily look while reminding her to live with intention, presence, and purpose – and plenty of Jewish pride, naturally.

For Your Bestie Who’s a Culinary Queen

Jewish Instagram and TikTok star Melinda Strauss‘s first cookbook is out, and it’s fabulous! If your bestie feels most at home in the kitchen, she’ll love this celebration of Jewish life, history, heritage – and food, of course. Featuring recipes for everything from Sweet and Fluffy Challah to Barbecue Brisket Soup, Classic Potato Latkes to Butternut Squash Kugel, and sweet treats like Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookie Sticks and Cinnamon Bun Challah Bread Pudding, your bestie is bound to find more than a few things she’ll love. 

For Your Bestie Who’s a Kid at Heart

If your bestie watches A Rugrats Chanukah every year, she needs this sweatshirt in her life.

For Your Bestie Who’s Actually a Kid

Just in time for Hanukkah, we’re launching a brand new journal for kids ages 6-12 that’s all about Jewish joy, Jewish values, and Jewish pride – all while being totally adorable and lots of fun.

For Your Bestie Who’s Got Ugly Christmas Sweater Envy

There’s no cheesy sweater like a spreading holiday schmear sweater (pun totally intended), and Christmas has got nothing on the sheer tacky, schmaltzy joy it’s bound to bring your bestie.

For Your Bestie Who’s Obsessed with Decorating for the Holidays 

This refined garland, handcrafted with wood beads and velvet bows in white or dusty blue, will bring a touch of sophistication to her 5786 Hanukkah decor scheme – and I love that it’s not specific to any one Jewish holiday, so it’ll work just as well come Passover time as it will right now.

For Your Bestie Who Loves a #PDJ

Because she’s probably already got a solid stash of Jewish necklaces – how about this adorable Magen David hair pin so she can wear her hair with Jewish pride? And I love that it’s eco-friendly, ethically sourced, and handmade in the USA.

For Your Bestie Who’s a Little Scared to Wear a #PDJ

If your bestie doesn’t feel so comfortable blasting chais and Magen Davids for all the world to see (which, sadly, is totally understandable these days), how about something a little subtler? Our four-pack Jewish Joy sock set will inspire her to walk through the world with Jewish pride, purpose, and joy on the inside while enabling her to stay incognito on the outside.

For Your Bestie Who Loves to Entertain

Make her holiday season dinner parties bloom with the gorgeous Hanukkah Garden Menorah Table Runner by Arielle Zorger Designs. I’m obsessed with the whimsical patter and lively colors that bring things beyond just the usual blue and white – and I love that it’s handmade in the USA from 100% cotton twill.

For Your Bestie with a Sweet Tooth 

Sugarfina’s Hanukkah tasting collection is the Jewish answer to all those fun advent calendars popping up this time of year. Featuring a new candy for each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, from Milk Chocolate Maple Pecans to Cold Brew Cordials – each one certified kosher – there’s no better way to ensure a sweet Festival of Lights.

For Your Bestie Who Could Use Some Pampering

Treat your bestie to some serious self-care with the HYDRATE ME + Plumping Peptide Night Mask from Israeli skincare company FRÉ. This luxe overnight treatment plumps and tightens skin and evens texture – but perhaps even more importantly, it feels like a facial in a jar. And I can’t get enough of the rose and ylang-ylang scent!

{Save 40% on HYDRATE ME + and your entire FRÉ order with the code JEWISHLIFE}

For Your Bestie Who’s a Romance Reader

I’m a big fan of Jean Meltzer’s Jewish rom coms – especially The Matzah Ball, which is the most perfect cozy Hanukkah read – and I’m thrilled that she’s just released another Festival of Lights-themed romance. The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah puts a Jewish spin on A Christmas Carol with a heartwarming second-chance romance, and if you’ve got a Jewish romance enthusiast on your list I couldn’t think of a better gift. And if your bestie’s already got this one on preorder, we’ve got a whole list of fun Jewish romance titles to peruse.

For Your Bestie Who’s Craving Community

If you’ve got a fabulous female friend who’s looking for a place to grow, connect, and belong Jewishly, give her the gift of Smashing Life, my warm, supportive online Jewish community. Choose to gift 3, 6, or 12 months –  whichever you choose, 20% of your payment donated to Magen David Adom, so this is a gift you can feel doubly good about giving.

We’ve got lots more Hanukkah gift lists and inspo over on ShopMy, so do check them out – and let us know what’s on your Hanukkah wish list in the comments!

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