Mindy’s Guide to the Eight Days of Chanukah 2021

When I wrote the 2020 edition I thought COVID would be in the rear view by now.  Surprise.  2021 brought us vaccines, boosters and a hell of a lot of pandemic anxiety.  I hope you and yours are safe, happy and healthy!  Like 2020, this year’s “best-of” list is specially designed to help people struggling with the many effects of the pandemic and full of self-care ideas to keep you feeling cool and comfy as we prepare for 2022.

The Festival of Lights starts tonight so let’s get rolling!

Hope you enjoy my 2021 picks.  As always, I welcome your feedback.  Please feel free to leave me a comment or tweet me at @mindylevy

Day One

Friendship- the ultimate gift in life.  Without it we’d be, well…. Alone.  Okay, okay, we have family but friends are the family you CHOOSE!  What better way to connect with friends near and far.  “All it takes is the touch of a hand to experience the joy of instantly connecting with the people you love.  It’s a powerful yet simple way of sending a message to your loved one, that you’re thinking of them. Just as a picture can speak volumes, the message the lamp color sends outdoes any form of verbal or written communication.”  Buy them here!  Find Friendship Lamps on Twitter at @FriendshipLamps and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/friendshiplamp/.

Day Two

Peace and Pampering Care Package

Like I said, self-care is the name of the game in 2022.  I love love love this Care Package!  “We could all use a little more zen these days—and here’s some peace your lucky someone can’t pass up. They’ll cozy up with a plush, light-as-a-wisp blanket and socks. Soothe the stress away with luxe toiletries and tea. And breathe in the warm scent of a flickering candle.”  Buy this powerhouse of pampering here and, if you’re feeling bold (and I know you are) send ‘em some soup from the very same site, just like Bubbe makes. 

Day 3

Irving, my Mensch on a Bench, is sitting comfortably on the mantel next to Dreidel Dog, He got really, really tired of talking Bubbe’s incessant kvetching.  She was relegated to the other end of the mantel after several heated conversations. Crisis averted!  Every year Irving puts more Funukkah in our Hanukkah!  If you don’t have one, what are you waiting for??  If you do have one, his faithful sidekick, is your go-to 2020 gift to yourself or fellow Mensch enthusiast.

The Mench has made my list seven times!  Irving lights up our lives and our holiday.  And, while others aspire to be the person their dog thinks they are, he is the quintessential mensch- a person of integrity and honor.

Ask Bubbe, the talking Grandma doll, is a great addition to the mantel tribe.  She’s full of wit and wisdom, and sounds just like my Bubbe!  But beware, the Mensch can take only so much of her kibitzing.

Remember:  Even a secret agent can’t lie to a Jewish mother. – Peter Malkin

Follow Mensch on a Bench on Facebook and Twitter.

Day Four

SCHMALTZ, SCHMALTZ AND MORE SCHMALTZ!   Schmaltz Deli was waaayyyy ahead of the Covid curve offering delivery right to your door. Even without a global pandemic,  you have a Jewish deli right in your back yard, even if you don’t have a back yard!   They deliver goodness, pure, unadulterated goodness!  So keep calm, stay home, and eat brisket and latkes.  Better yet, send some of this comfort food to your favorite peeps… They deliver all over the US!

Craving those unique holiday tastes from your childhood? Of course you are.  Don’t go to the market then spend all day in the kitchen rolling rugelach or frying latkes. My friends at Schmaltz Deli WANT to do it for you!   They ship Jewish deli goodness anywhere in the country.  I’ve surprised friends of all faiths with these delicious, traditional Jewish dinners and desserts.  Sides, too!

This year let’s go full on comfort food for Chanukah.  Start off with Chicken and Matzoh Ball Soup.   Follow up with some sliced brisket and potato knishes.  Top it off with something sweet.  How about a pound of oversized rugelach to make for a tummy full enough to spin the dreidel for hours on end.

Everything is delicious, packed with traditional tastes and, best of all, you don’t turn on the oven OR clean pots and pans.  Doesn’t get much more Jewish than that, does it?  My mom bought her dream retirement home, insisting on a double oven.  Oh, not because she loved to cook.  I don’t think the dials were ever turned in the “on” position.  “It’s for resale value, honey.”

Click here to order your Schmaltz online now!

Day Five

“The world is full of kind people.  If you can’t find one, be one.”   I am sharing the same Inspire Kindness post from last year’s list.

There has never been a better time to give back than now.  Don’t wait and think, “I’ll get involved next year.”  Or “I don’t have time or money to donate.”  Kindness is free, from the heart, you can’t buy it in a store and everyone needs it.

Visit Inspire Kindness.  15 Ideas to Practice Kindness During The Coronavirus / COVID-19.  They share some awesome ideas on how you can be kind and still protect yourself and your loved ones. Be kind to your community.  Be kind to your friends and family.  Be kind to yourself. 

Looking for a way to get involved in your local community during thse uncertain times? Visit http://www.volunteermatch.org/.

If you don’t have time to donate, please DO find gifts that GIVE.  One of my favorite nonprofits is Angels Among Us Pet Rescue.   They connected me with Stella who rescued me in 2016.

Day Six

”The Cultivate Kindness Tote is back and better than ever. Featuring a fresh design, interior pocket, softer cotton fabric and a larger capacity shape, this beloved tote spreads a message that will never go out of style. Wear it proudly knowing your purchase gives 10 meals to children in need.”  Purchase it here for just $38!  Not your bag? Bad pun, but it’s my blog so…  Seriously, if it’s not your jam, check out their holiday gift guide here.

You can find these guys on twitter https://twitter.com/feedprojects/ and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/feed/.

Day Seven

BOMBAS SOCKS!

These guys believe a more comfortable world is a better world. I agree! Everyone, no matter their circumstances, deserves to put on clean clothes that feel good. They perfected socks and t-shirts you’ll want to live in. The best part?  For every item you purchase for yourself, they donate an item to someone affected by homelessness.  I happen to love these fab gripper slippers– got them for the entire family!

Find ‘em on Twitter https://twitter.com/bombas and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bombas/

Day Eight

Every year Day Eight is the same.  Why?  Because this little gem is free, has no bad side effects and is available to EVERYONE!  What is it, you ask?  LAUGHTER.   Everyone can, and should, give the gift of laughter to someone.  I challenge you to bring at least one smile to the face of a family member, neighbor, coworker or stranger each and every day.   Laughter is indeed the best medicine.

Get a copy of my book, Mindy’s Musing, free.  Tweet me at @mindylevy and I’ll be happy to send you a copy.  My little way of passing along that smile to you.

Happy Holidays.  Stay safe.  Stay healthy.  Be kind, and keep smiling!

XO

Mindy