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November 7, 2003/Cheshvan 12 5764, Vol. 56, No. 7
Gift ideas for baby's first Hanukkah
LILA BALTMAN
Special to Jewish News
Anyone who has recently become a new parent or a first-time grandparent can easily agree on one thing: Shopping for a baby is truly one of life's greatest pleasures.
It doesn't matter if you're picking out precious new baby clothes, toys, books, bottles or bibs - once you have a baby in your family, you find that you have suddenly entered the wonderful new world of "cute."
Everything around you becomes cute, and you find that you say the word at least 10 times a day. Even the diapers nowadays with Winnie the Pooh and Mickey Mouse on them are unbelievably cute.
So now, with Hanukkah quickly approaching, you might be wondering what gift to buy that will mark this very exciting milestone known as "Baby's First Hanukkah."
When Raquel Scharf-Anderson's son Sam celebrated his first Hanukkah three years ago, his grandparents gave him a little silver Kiddish cup with his Hebrew name engraved on it. It is now the cup that Sam uses every Friday night for Shabbat dinner.
"I think for baby's first Hanukkah, the best gift to give is a Judaica one that can be used for years to come," says Scharf-Anderson. "Sam also got an adorable stuffed Torah when he was a baby and he still loves to play with it today. He loves to carry it around pretending he's a cantor or a rabbi."
(Which is not too surprising, since Sam's grandfather is Rabbi Martin Scharf of Kivel.)
The following list offers several fun, educational, useful, and of course, cute gift ideas that will make baby's first Hanukkah something special to remember.
Happy Hanukkah and happy shopping!
Judaica Gifts
The Jewish Quarter in Scottsdale has a variety of Judaica gifts for baby's first Hanukkah.
Patrons will find everything from Kiddish cups and Hanukkiahs to "Baby's First Hanukkah" bibs and "Manny the Menorah" - a plastic, battery-operated menorah that lights up and plays "Ma-Oz-Tzur" when you press a button.
You'll also find cuddly Hanukkah bears and giant, inflatable dreidels. There is also the "Chanuka at Bubbe's" DVD which has colorful, Muppet-like characters. The DVD edition includes a sing-along and traditional games, recipes and prayers.
The Jewish Quarter is located at 10701 N. Scottsdale Road. Call 480-905-5202.
The Gift of Classes
It's never too soon to start learning, so why not give baby the gift of classes?
A new Mom and Dad would love to receive a gift certificate to a session of Gymboree, My Gym or The Little Gym.
These are all indoor children's fitness centers in the Valley that begin teaching babies as young as 3 months old.
There are also infant swimming classes available at places like the Hubbard Swim School in Phoenix, which begins teaching babies at 6 months old how to become comfortable in the water.
Infant classes are also a great way for the baby to meet and socialize with other babies, and for mom and dad to meet and socialize with other sleep-deprived new parents.
Gift Certificates
How about picking up a gift certificate at the local mall - otherwise known as "mall money" - so Mommy and Daddy can have fun shopping with baby on their own.
You could purchase a gift certificate at one of the mall's many photography studios. Kiddie Candids at the Paradise Valley Mall has some cute baby props, and Sears and JC Penney also do baby photos. Just make sure you get a wallet-size print after the pictures are taken.
A subscription to Raising Arizona Kids, Parents or American Baby magazine would also make a useful gift. All exhausted mothers who don't have any time to read a novel can always find time to read one of these parenting publications.
Hanukkah Gelt for Baby
Savings bonds, checks, and small chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil - these are the modern incarnations of the traditional gift known as Hanukkah gelt. "Gelt" is a Yiddish term for "money." Although it is an old and cherished custom, the roots of gelt-giving go back much further than the Middle Ages, the era in which the custom is usually said to have originated.
Whatever your source for Hanukkah gelt, it is always a wonderful tradition to put some of what you receive into a tzedakah box in order to share your good fortune with those in need or for a good cause.
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