5 tips for throwing a Hanukkah party

Hanukkah is right around the corner. If you want to spice things up this year, here are a few tips to get the party started.

Hanukkah is right around the corner and the time is approaching for decadent meals, elaborately decorated candelabras and place settings that are worthy of a magazine cover. If you want to spice things up this Hanukkah, here are a few tips to get the party started.

To keep the sense of togetherness that Hanukkah brings, serve your guests buffet-style. Allow your guests to dish out their own meals from a separate table, which will spark the opportunity to converse with more people. This is a great way to focus on each other, rather than just the food itself. Make sure you choose foods that can be offered in a self-serve manner.

This year, make a point to decorate your own wrapping paper. You can use parchment paper and a variety of art supplies to decorate it. Top it off with shiny accessories like metallic ribbons or glue rhinestone onto the ribbon. If you don't have time to DIY, choose a variety of gift-wrapping spools; each should reflect elements of your guests' personalities and tastes.

Turn things around this year by adding a personal touch to your main table. Write your guests' names on their napkins or plates using metallic pottery glaze or markers. Accent these place settings with small gift bags. Be thoughtful with these gifts and take into consideration the things that your guests enjoy.

Many Jewish homes will serve the same dishes every year as their families did decades and even centuries ago. There's nothing wrong with keeping tradition, but there's also nothing wrong with adding your own twist. If you really want to get your guests talking and make a grand debut, search around for ways to add a twist to your Hanukkah dishes.

This is the one time of year that your table really means everything. Why not dress it up with the best handmade decorations? Instead of going out and buying generic Hanukkah decorations, fasten a few twigs together, hot glue a dozen small candle holders to the top and load them with candlesticks. Don't forget to spray the branches white and use Star-of-David-shaped holders for a sweet effect.

With these five tips you'll have fun entertaining at your Hanukkah party and make it memorable for everyone.