Hanukkah Menorah: A menorah they will want to bring out each year

A gift to choose with them

A menorah can be something the recipient looks forward to bringing out every Hanukkah. It may suit someone setting up their own home, replacing an awkward old one or wanting a design that feels like theirs. If they already have a treasured menorah, find out whether they would welcome another before choosing.

Ask about the practical details as well as the style: do they use candles or oil, where will it stand, and which designs do they like? Those answers give you a much better starting point than an ornate photograph.

Make sure it is for Hanukkah

A Hanukkah menorah, also called a hanukkiah, has eight lights plus a separate helper light, the shamash. Chabad's explanation of the nine lights describes that distinction. Seven-branched Temple menorahs can also appear in shopping results; they are a different object.

Look for a design made for the recipient's practice, with eight clearly separated holders and a distinct shamash. An electric menorah can be useful as a display, but do not assume it replaces the candles or oil someone uses for their observance. Decorative models and children's wooden play sets serve different purposes too.

The holders need to fit

• For candles, compare the holder diameter with the candles the recipient uses; the word standard is not a measurement.

• For oil, establish which cups, wicks and other parts the menorah is designed to take.

• Read the contents list. A photograph with candles, oil cups or a drip tray does not prove they are included.

If you buy supplies to go with it, choose compatible ones rather than assembling a bundle from similar-looking accessories. Keep the maker's instructions with the gift, including its placement and cleaning guidance.

Picture it in its place

Check the full width and height, the base and the room the lights need around them. A broad, steady base matters more than a tall-looking silhouette in a photograph. Think about where the recipient will store it as well as where it will stand during the holiday.

A simple metal design, painted scene and contemporary geometric form can feel very different. Match their taste rather than assuming that a more elaborate finish is more meaningful. If the exact style is uncertain, choosing it together can be part of the gift.

See the Hanukkah gift selection for another direction if a menorah would duplicate one they love. For a visit where you know the host's taste but not their lighting preferences, a flower vase is a separate possibility.