As we near the start of Hanukkah, the Jewish eight-day Festival of Lights, I find myself in need of a new menorah. And while I’m all for tradition (that is my favorite song in Fiddler on the Roof after all), this year I’m opting for one that’s a worthy centerpiece for the crispy latkes, jelly-filled sufganiyot, and noodle kugel that we love to eat on this holiday (right this way for more of our favorite Hanukkah foods). From a viral dirty martini menorah to one made of actual challah, these options won’t only make your celebration tastier, but they’re beautiful enough to double as home decor year-round. Can’t decide? There’s one for each night!
For the Banana Enthusiast
I can’t say whether the Maccabees planned for their ancestors to one day light candles in a metal banana, but I’m sure they would be delighted. Each stainless steel banana is handcrafted and includes an optional shamash riser for the ninth candle. Traveling over the holiday? Don’t worry—the travel banana menorah fits in a pouch about the size of your passport.
For the One Who Prefers a Dirty Martini to Manischewitz
Susan Alexandra has made the menorah we never knew we needed: an ode to olives, which play an important role in both the miracle of Hanukkah (olive oil meant to last for one night lasted for eight) and the dirty martini. It’s also a contender for the most chic menorah we’ve ever seen. Preorder one now for next year and sip on an extra-dirty martini in the meantime.
For the Fruit Lover
Artist Yair Emanuel hand sculpts and paints each menorah in his studio in Jerusalem. This pomegranate menorah is perhaps the most beautiful of all, with intricate, tiny red fruits that symbolize growth and abundance to hold each candle.
A Menorah That Can Use Up Leftover Frying Oil
This lucite menorah looks really good on a dinner table. Plus, it uses oil cup candles rather than traditional beeswax ones, which means, in theory, none of your latke frying oil has to go to waste. For the other 357 nights of the year, it makes for a stunning vase for fresh flowers.
For the One Who Always Brings Bagels
Whether your go-to order is everything, sesame, or poppy seed, there’s a candleholder for you on this bagel menorah. There are nine shellacked bagels sitting atop a stained wood base, and each menorah is made (baked) to order in 4–6 weeks. Just make sure everyone in the family knows that no, these are not meant to be slathered with cream cheese for breakfast the next day.
For Your Cousin Who’s Obsessed With Omakase
While neither the spicy crunchy tuna nor the California roll were present in the story of Hanukkah, the combo (plus a few more sushi favorites) makes for a very fun menorah. They come ready to light on a tray with chopsticks, but soy sauce, pickled ginger, and wasabi are not included.
For the Doughnut Aficionado
The consumption of doughnuts is highly encouraged for all eight nights of the holiday, so it’s only fitting for your menorah to have some too. Chocolate with sprinkles, anyone?
For Your Aunt Who Still Thinks Cupcakes Are Cool
While we suppose you could bake nine cupcakes and light a candle in each, you might be left without a menorah after night one. This hand-painted cupcake menorah lets you have your cake and eat it too (but please don’t eat these).
And If You’d Rather Eat Your Menorah Than Light It…
We know this isn’t a real menorah, but we simply couldn’t leave out this giant braided challah that happens to be in the same shape. Each 2.2-pound challah is baked at Eli’s Market and shipped right to you just in time for your Hanukkah-meets-Shabbat celebration.
