Hosting can feel intimidating, especially when your budget isn’t that of a celebrity chef. The good news: A great Hanukkah party isn’t about having the perfect tablescape or an eight-course menu. It’s about light, friends, fried food, and a moment to breathe together in the middle of a very loud world.
Whether you’re in a dorm, a tiny apartment, or the “I own real furniture now” stage of life, you can throw a Hanukkah hang that feels warm, low-stress, and actually fun for you too.
Here are five easy tips to plan a Hanukkah party like a pro, without emptying your wallet.
1. Choose your vibe (and your guest list)
Before you start panic-scrolling for recipes, decide what kind of night you actually want.
Ask yourself:
- Do I want a cozy candlelighting and board game night?
- A loud “everyone I know is here” open house?
- A chill latkes-and-a-movie situation?
- Something friendly for guests who are new to Hanukkah?
Once you have a vibe, build a guest list that matches it. A few ideas:
- Mixed crowd: Invite Jewish and non-Jewish friends and frame it as “come experience Hanukkah with me,” not just “show up for free food.”
- Co-hosted party: Team up with a roommate or friend so you can split costs and responsibilities.
- Potluck hangout: Tell people in the invite that this is a potluck, not a catered event. Most guests are happy to bring a dish, drink, or dessert if you ask clearly.
If you want to feel extra grounded before you host, you can listen to Unpacked’s Hanukkah episode of Wondering Jews or skim our Hanukkah resources, so you’re ready to give a two-minute explanation of the story and what it means today.
If you’re looking for some inspiration, check out Unpacked’s Hanukkah recipe and cocktail guide.
2. Make your space feel like Hanukkah
You don’t need a Pinterest-worthy house to make things feel festive. A few low-effort choices can flip your space into “Hanukkah mode.”
Start with the candles
- Put the hanukkiah (Hanukkah menorah) somewhere central and safe: a windowsill, table or countertop.
- Make this your “anchor” and build the rest of your setup around it.
Use what you already have
- String lights, candles in jars, blue or white dishware, and napkins all count as décor.
- A simple color palette (blue, white, silver, or gold) instantly makes everything feel intentional.
- Print or hand-letter a few small signs with phrases like “Nes gadol haya po/sham” (“A great miracle happened here/there”) or “Light upon light.”
For small spaces
- No dining room? No problem. Serve from the kitchen counter or coffee table and encourage people to float and mingle.
- If open flames aren’t allowed (hello, dorms), use LED tea lights and make the ritual moment about blessings, music, and intention instead of real fire.
If you’d like to add a bit more meaning, you can play a short Hanukkah explainer podcast in the background while people arrive or share a quick story about what the holiday means to you before candlelighting.
3. Build a menu that doesn’t break the bank
Let’s be honest: Food is what people remember. Luckily, Hanukkah cuisine is very budget-friendly if you lean into tradition.
Latkes = your budget all-star
Potatoes are cheap, filling, and extremely on-brand. In Eastern Europe, potatoes became a staple during years of crop failure, when leaders pushed farmers to plant them because they were hardy and grew quickly. Jewish communities, often poor and food-insecure, turned potatoes into endless dishes, and the beloved potato latke eventually became the Hanukkah star.
So if all you do is make a mountain of latkes (either by scratch or frozen) and add some toppings, you’ve already nailed it.
A few menu strategies:
- Pick one “hero” dish and keep the rest simple
- Hero: homemade or frozen latkes, sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) or even store-bought doughnuts.
- Supporting cast: salad, chips, crudités, dips, olives, pickles, hummus, store-bought desserts.
- Go potluck with a plan
Create a quick sign-up in your group chat:- Latkes / main savory
- Toppings (sour cream, applesauce, lox, labneh, hot sauce, zhug)
- Salads / veggies
- Desserts
- Drinks
- Try a Hanukkah “board” instead of a full meal
Pull out a big tray, sheet pan or cutting board and load it with: cheese, crackers, latkes, olives, fruit, gelt and whatever snacky things you like. For inspiration, you can check out Unpacked’s charcuterie-style Hanukkah boards, which turn basic snacks into an impressive charcuterie centerpiece. - Remember dietary needs
Mix in a few options that are vegetarian, gluten-free or dairy-free so everyone has something they can eat. Think: baked sweet potatoes, salads, roasted veggies or a big bowl of popcorn seasoned with za’atar.
4. Think beyond dreidel: drinks, games & activities
The goal isn’t to schedule every minute, but it is nice to have a few ideas in your back pocket so the energy doesn’t fizzle after candlelighting.
Drinks
You don’t need a full bar. Pick one:
- Water and seltzer in pitchers or big bottles
- A signature mocktail or cocktail (even something as simple as seltzer + juice + citrus slices)
- Hot chocolate or tea bar with marshmallows, cinnamon and whipped cream
If you want to go all-in, Unpacked has a roundup of Hanukkah-themed cocktails you can make at home, from playful twists on classics to very on-brand drinks like an “Old Fashioned Gelt Digger.”
Always make sure there are fun non-alcoholic options, even if your crowd does drink.
Games & activities
- Dreidel, upgraded: Use chocolate gelt, nuts, jelly beans or tiny prizes instead of money. If your group is into it, you can make it a drinking game by having people sip their drink instead of adding to the pot. Check out the full rules here.
- Candle-lighting + sharing circle: Before or after the blessings, invite guests to share one place they’re trying to bring “light” into their life or the world this year.
- DIY dessert or craft corner: Set out plain cookies or doughnuts with icing and toppings and let people decorate. Or put out markers and cardstock to design homemade Hanukkah cards.
- Movie or playlist moment: End the night with a cozy movie or a Hanukkah-winter playlist so people can chat, snack and unwind.
5. Make hosting gentle on you
You’re allowed to enjoy your own party. Insane concept, we know.
A few small things that make a big difference:
- Keep your to-do list short
Choose 3 priorities:- Candle-lighting
- One main food thing
- One activity or game
Everything else is extra credit.
- Prep a tiny timeline
- Earlier that day: clear surfaces, set up serving area, chill drinks.
- 30–60 minutes before: lay out snacks, set up candles, put on music.
- Guests arrive: drinks + mingling.
- Candle-lighting: blessings, song, a short explanation for anyone new to it.
- After: food, games, dessert, more hanging out.
- Make cleanup easy
Use a single trash bag and one recycling bag that everyone can see. Paper plates and compostable cups are absolutely allowed if it saves your sanity. - Communicate clearly in your invite
Let people know:- Start/end time
- Dress code (comfy, festive, etc.)
- Whether it’s potluck and what to bring
- If plus-ones are welcome
If you’re not sure how to phrase a Hanukkah invite or message, Unpacked’s guide to Hanukkah greetings has ideas for everything from casual texts to more formal wishes.
You can also add a line about a gift or treat exchange, and point friends toward a Hanukkah gift guide focused on Jewish-owned brands if they’re looking for ideas.
At the end of the day, your guests won’t remember whether you had matching napkins. They’ll remember that, during a dark and busy time of year, you made space for light, laughter, and connection. That’s the real Hanukkah flex.
