In these times of recession, the prospect of having to buy eight Hanukkah presents for each of your family members – one for each night – might seem a bit daunting. Even if you’ve only got a family of four or five persons, that’s still 32 or 40 presents to buy. How are we you going to be able to pay for all those presents, when you're on a tight budget?

The Solution

The solution to this problem is twofold. The most obvious answer is not to buy your loved ones any gifts over $10. Spending less money on their presents doesn’t mean you love them less. You can buy your family presents and still stay within your budget. Love is not measured in money.

The second way to cut on the costs of Hanukkah presents when you're on a budget, is to give gifts that can’t be bought. Gifts that say, ‘I love you, and you are special to me’ mean more to your family than anything money can buy.

With that in mind, I compiled a list of Hanukkah presents that won’t cost you a fortune. None of them will have to cost you more than $10.

Top ten presents on a budget

1. A plastic or wooden dreidel and a small pouch of Hanukkah gelt – what better Hanukkah gift than a dreidel for the first night?
2. Hanukkah cookie cutters – don’t forget to make time to bake Hanukkah cookies with your children
3. A pair of gloves or mittens – a gift that won’t just warm your loved one’s hands, but also her heart every time she wears them
4. A favourite book or magazine – because reading is magic
5. A Judaic pen – the perfect Hanukkah gift for writers
6. Shower gel – be sure to buy your loved one’s favourite
7. Hanukkah crafts- or colouring book – your young children will love it
8. Hanukkah Songs CD – because, let’s face it, what’s a festival without music and dance?
9. A Judaic keychain, or cell phone charm (e.g.  12 tribes, or magen David) – Your spouse might love the keychain, whereas your teen would appreciate the cell phone charm
10. Tzedaka box – no Jewish home is complete without one