Hi everyone, it’s me Sara of creativejewishmom.com back again with some inspiring ideas for DIY Hanukkah decorations. If you’d like to read a little about the history of Hanukkah, please see my post from yesterday here. Or continue reading for a bunch of crafty DIY ideas that could easily keep you busy all year!
Hanukkah decorations? What would that be exactly? Between you and me, it could be anything that brings you joy! Not to pop anyone’s bubble, but the idea of Hanukkah being a blue and white holiday is a fabricated American idea, that does link the holiday to the colors of the Israeli flag, but was probably developed in order to commercially distinguish the Jewish holiday from the red and green holiday. Yes, really! And when I tell my friends in Israel that Americans think that the colors for Hanukkah are blue and silver, they laugh! And then they usually say blue? I would think it would be a warm color like orange! There you have it folks. So, I have to say, I love blue, and combinations of blue, so I have created many decorations with blue this year, but don’t feel that you have to. Use your favorite combinations of bright colors and don’t worry about your decorations looking like all those “Hanukkah” decorations you’ve seen out there, and you can certainly quote me if any one raises any eyebrows!. And believe me, besides Martha Stewart (doesn’t celebrate Hanukkah to my knowledge) and bhg.com (designers probably don’t celebrate Hanukkah) and me (I do celebrate Hanukkah) there are no sites that really delve into Hanukkah decorations in a serious way. And so, having said that, it isn’t my intention to toot my own horn here exclusively, but I just couldn’t find many examples of interesting DIY decorations out there. If you have seen some great non-commercial examples, please do let me know. I’ll be guest blogging here until the end of the week, and I’d be more than happy to share the limelight.
Love spare and modern design? This one is for you! And the good news is you can purchase a pdf file with the templates here. The file is seventeen pages (!) allowing you to mix and match the colors as you please, and there’s even a pastel palette option for those of you who prefer something a bit lovely and subtle. And beyond a nesting mobile, there are many many creative ways to use these dreidel designs (that you can print until your heart’s content.) A great idea for whipping up a house-full of last-minute decorations, and even some presents! Available on Etsy, at little tzaddik. Go for it!
I just love these paper dreidels that the kid’s made over at Tamar of Nest Decorating’s house. And isn’t it great that they’re simply taped to the light fixture? Wouldn’t you like to have a cute wall hanging like this one? It’s no-sew and you’ll find complete instructions here at creativejewishmom.com. And the great thing about investing the time to make a felt wall hanging, is that you can bring it out year after year. My kids were really happy to see it again this year!
Here’s a really great recycled crafting technique that you can enjoy anytime: printing with recycled foam trays! Make prints to hang or mount to card stock for holiday greetings, complete tutorial here, from you guessed it creativejewishmom.com
I love the look of this wire and beads Star of David from The Charmed Life, and these felt dreidel ornaments could even be made into lavender sachets! In any case they’re quick to whip up if you sew, and they’d make adorable gifts. Instructions here at creativejewishmom.com.
Here’s another crafting technique that I just had to share with you— eggshell mosaic! Yes indeed, you may get some strange looks from family members or room mates when you start saving those eggshells (wash them first!) but believe me, it’s worth it! It’s really so much fun with gorgeous results, and you can find the complete instructions for an eggshell mosaic holiday bunting banner here.
And now since we’re on the topic of kitchen crafting, here’s two more projects using things you might find in your cupboards! My friend Tali over at matzo ball soup made this wonderful Jewish star from a recycled aluminum cake pan and permanent markers! And Creative Jewish Mom made these fun ornaments from baker’s clay, which is just flour, salt and water! A great project for all ages and you can choose to use cookie cutters or not!
And now, last but not least, two bunting banner projects from Creative Jewish Mom that you can certainly use from year to year. And they’re so sweet you may not even want to take them down! The top felt bunting banner is no-sew and so simple to make, here. And the bottom image is made from, guess what? The front and back panels from boxes of small Hanukkah candles! If you crochet this is a must, so simple and sweet, and a great way to make small framed works of art too! Complete instructions here.
Okay, inspired? I hope so, and do drop by my blog creativejewishmom.com for lots more ideas for Hanukkkah or any time! You’ll usually find me crafting up a storm!
Also check out our top 10 Hanukkah ideas for a memorable holiday.
