Usually, when Chanukah rolls around, I practically forget about buying gifts. After the Jewish holidays of October, I’m so glad for the plain old month of November, (besides Thanksgiving which is only 1 day for heaven’s sake!), that I barely realize that it is December.

Until this year. Maybe it is because my grandchildren are entering school, but I just am excited to buy them gifts. Notwithstanding my previous post which condemned and criticized all expectations, I still want to buy them gifts. I have that need, okay? So whether or not Chanukah is really a time for giving gifts, (which is a topic of debate for many scholars), I have compiled a list of  ten toys to give one’s grandchildren. I may just give to my grand-children some of them. (not all of course!)

1. Magnatiles – this is a great toy that became popular about a year ago, and then went out of business when their factory in Thailand got flooded in the winter time. I believe they are back in business now and their sets of thirty two or one hundred magnetic tiles are great for toddlers and pre-schoolers and older kids to build and design all sorts of structures.

2. Kiwicrate.com – this crate of art projects is a great way to keep kids from 4 to 7 busy on a rainy day working with tissue paper, glue, paint and other art materials. My grandchildren are enjoying making menorahs and dreidels for Chanukah.

3. Musical instrument kits – You can get this at any educational store and the kids will enjoy playing, banging, and shaking the various instruments in the set. Drums, xylophone, maracas, and others.

4. Coloring books and crayons- I read somewhere that teens and adults are taking on the hobby of coloring. It is a great form of art therapy for all ages and stages. So get out those coloring books – both for the kids and for yourself and get down on the floor and color with your grandchildren.

5. Puzzles – everyone enjoys a good jigsaw puzzle. It doesn’t have to be 500 pieces. Pick one that is between 25 and 100 and spread it out on a table, and have everyone put pieces together whenever they see the puzzle. Before you know it, the puzzle will be complete. Or better yet, hand it to your grandchild, and let him take it home and figure it out for himself.

6. Tops/Dreidels – preferably the kind that makes music. Great for fine motor coordination for kids to learn how to spin the dreidel, and get the music to go.

7. Bananagrams – this is wonderful for the family to play together. Great for elementary school kids and up. A wonderful word game that can be played by all members of the family. Even the pre-schoolers can make his or her own words – albeit 2 or 3 letter words.

8. Matchbox cars – good old fashioned cars for kids to push around the house and hold in their hands.

9. Legos – always a favorite for building structures.

10. Chocolate money – a little gift that often means a lot to the kids. Nothing like food as a great reinforcer for good behavior!

Happy Chanukah and enjoy!