CasaSugar

Roundup: Hanukkah Cards

CasaSugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 08:30:06 -0800

You still have a few more weeks to get your Hanukkah cards in the mail, which means that you also have time to find the prettiest cards available. I love these handprinted Hanukkah cards ($14.50 for a set of six), with their icy blue background and abstract geometric design. They're both modern and celebratory. The cards are all Gocco printed on deep blue stock with bronze and white inks, and will be a hit with your friends and family.

Looking for some other designs? Check out the rest of my picks when you read more.

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Nice and New: Michael Aram Pomegranate Menorah

CasaSugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 05:30:55 -0800

Açai berries may be the latest power fruit to hit Whole Foods shelves, but that's no reason not to delight in the adorable puckered tops and bulbous shapes of last season’s trendy grocery, the pomegranate. If you’re celebrating Hanukkah this year, you can enjoy the "pom" when you pick up the Michael Aram Pomegranate Menorah ($150), a stunning bronze luminary with a leafy, branch base. You can also check out Aram's collection of other pomegranate-festooned items. Didn’t you hear? “Deck the halls with boughs of pommy,” is the latest power ditty.

Cute Idea: Embroidered Menorah

CasaSugar — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:00:23 -0800

I recently came across an adorable holiday idea that I simply couldn't resist sharing with you . . . and ooohing and ahhhing over it. I may not be of the Jewish faith, but I'm seriously jonesing for this adorable embroidered menorah by Floresita. Yeah, the snowflakes and the miniature tree amp up the cute factor, but I just love how mother-of-pearl buttons act as candlelight. This would make a perfect holiday gift or decoration for anyone celebrating Hanukkah this year. Perhaps if you're having a dinner party, you could embroider a name onto each piece of fabric, and use it as a place card that doubles as a gift. You could also use a similar format to embroider a chandelier using buttons. You like?
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Do You Know Your Dreidel?

CasaSugar — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 10:00:36 -0800

One of the best known symbols of Hanukkah is the dreidel, a four -sided top with a Hebrew letter on each side. These letters mean "A Great Miracle Happened There." In Israel the dreidel is a bit different in that the letters mean, "A Great Miracle Happened ______." What is the missing word?

Holiday Entertaining Essentials

CasaSugar — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 16:00:51 -0800

Since this month's theme is Home Entertainment, I thought you might be interested in iVillage's list of items that are essential to throwing a good home-based party. I've excerpted part of the list below, and while I don't agree that disposable hand towels are a party essential (setting out several hand towels next to the sink is a more economical and environmental option), most of these tips are definite party musts. Since I have a party coming up this weekend - a traditional German Christmas party called a Feuerzangenbowle that my fiancé throws every year - I know that I'm going to take iVillage's advice and stock up on many of these supplies.

Invitations. Set the tone for your holiday gathering with an invitation that reflects your party style - casual or formal, trendy or traditional.
Fresh flowers. Flowers are a lovely and welcoming addition to a table or a guest bedroom. Buy a bunch and use them for decoration.
Party favors. Send guests home with a small favor to help them remember your gathering. Candles, photographs, and cookies are fun and festive options.
Centerpiece. Assemble a holiday-themed centerpiece. For Christmas, find pine garlands, holly, mistletoe, and pine cones. For Hanukkah, purchase dreidels and chocolate gelt.
Firewood. A roaring fire will make your guests feel cozy and warm on a cold night. An even better option is using a Duraflame log. If you don't have a fireplace, and add a soft glow with candles.
Wreaths. Create an inviting entrance to your home with a seasonal wreath. Eucalyptus or pine will evoke the spirit of the holidays.
Soap. Fancy soaps, whether molded or French milled, will make your guests feel pampered.

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Wrap Star! Secular Wrapping Paper

CasaSugar — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 13:00:53 -0800

If you're giving a gift this month to someone who, as far as you know, may or may not celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or Britney Spears's birthday, it's best to leave the nativity scenes, dreidels, and bad hair extensions off of your wrapping paper. Choose a paper solely wintry in theme, and avoid symbolic colors like red and green. This Paper Source Moss and Pool Retro Snowflake paper ($6.50), for example, is a good choice of secular wrapping paper. Its snowflake pattern is nostalgic for Winter, yet its color palette of green, yellow, and blue is nondescript, not to mention that its vintage '50s feel razzes my berries.

Love It or Hate It? The Last Match Menorah

CasaSugar — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 10:00:27 -0800

The Unica Home "The Last Match" Menorah ($240) honors the tradition of Hanukkah (which starts tomorrow) with eight oil candles to mark the eight nights of the “festival of lights,” and one shamash, meant to light the other eight. Yet it's far from traditional. It's designed by Walteria Living, whose tag line is "Anti-Design for the Home." I think it's fun and clever, but also on the same wavelength as the Bottle Brush Christmas Tree: too cheeky and sarcastic to own if you're really religious. But maybe not. What do you think?

Good, Better, Best: Cool Menorahs

CasaSugar — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 03:45:56 -0800

Yes, the menorah might have been around since Moses. But that doesn't mean it can't be 21st century cool. I've rounded up several cool menorahs that'll make even the gentiles want to celebrate Hanukkah. Who says your house can't be stylish eight days straight?

Good: This Fred Flare Menorah Cork ($12) is a menorah that acts as a cork and fits securely into a wine bottle or any sturdy bottle to keep your booze fresh during the holidays. Might as well put your menorah to work, right?

There are two other cooler than thou menorahs to come, so read more

Better: This polished nickel Jonathan Adler Skyline Menorah ($130) is gorgeous. Its modern shape is a nice update for the traditional candelabra, yet its clean lines mimic the straight and narrow shape of its traditional tapered candles.

Best: This hand-sculpted, polished nickel Michael Aram Tree Menorah ($150) is unique and sophisticated, and its organic shape would fit in both modern and traditional homes.