Hanukkah Begins This Sunday!

Posted By Allen's Flower Market On Thursday, 15 December 2022 Back

Hanukkah Begins This Sunday!

Hanukkah Begins This Sunday!

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How To Kick Off Your Hanukkah Celebration

At Allen’s Flower Market, we love it when festive events keep going for days – which is why we are such big fans of Hanukkah! Celebrating for eight days and nights sounds like our kind of party. This year, Hanukkah falls late in December in the season – the Festival of Lights begins this Sunday, December 18, and ends on Monday, December 26. That means there is plenty of time to plan for fun, family, gifts, and flowers. 

The Hanukkah Story, In a Nutshell

Hanukkah’s history goes back over 2,000 years when a group of spiritual Jews called the Maccabees returned to Jerusalem to free the city and re-dedicate the Temple. There are a couple of possible meanings for the word “Hanukkah.” In some translations, Hanukkah refers to a “dedication” – which literally connects the holiday’s name to the Temple of Jerusalem. However, others relate the term to the Hebrew word “Hinuch,” which means “to teach.” This second definition is a nod to the way families celebrate the holiday today – by teaching children ancient stories and having fun while doing so.

Gifts were not always associated with Hanukkah. In fact, the dreidel was initially created as a way to prevent boredom amid the teachings. However, in today’s tradition, many families will give gifts to children on each night that Hanukkah is celebrated.

As with many religious holidays, there is a miracle at the center of Hanukkah. When the Maccabees were reclaiming their Temple, they did not have sufficient oil to keep their lanterns lit. Miraculously, their lights continued to burn bright for eight days and nights. This is why families practice the ritual lighting of the eight Menorah candles each night of Hanukkah after sunset. 

The magical lamp oil explains another set of Hanukkah rituals: eating food fried in oil. That’s right – latkes and fried bread such as jelly donuts - also known as sufganiyot - are central to the holiday for religious symbolism (and it doesn’t hurt that they’re delicious).

How To Choose Flowers for Hanukkah

Are you attending a Hanukkah party or hosting a Hanukkah festivity? Make it memorable and extra special with a festive bouquet of fresh flowers. Traditional Hanukkah celebrations feature blue and white. This combination is elegant, meaningful in its reference to light and darkness, and directs attention to the center of the festivities: the lit menorah. For a tall, eye-catching arrangement, consider Winter Nights, a combination of lilies, roses, startling irises, and eucalyptus, gracefully held in a blue glass vase. Sapphire Starbust is a stately option, with tall blue delphinium and white larkspur forming a lush backdrop for white lilies. For something a little more adventurous, consider Bluesy Monday, which combines blue orchids with succulents and bear grass.

At Allen’s Flower Market, we are committed to offering high-quality, fresh flowers for all of your family’s most meaningful cultural celebrations. We offer same-day, effortless delivery, and we welcome custom ideas to create the perfect bouquet for you or your loved ones. If you want to see and smell our arrangements in person or find the ideal Hanukkah blooms in person, stop by our floral design stores in Long Beach, Los Angeles, or the San Fernando Valley.