The Jewish calendar year, which begins with the month of Tishrei (from mid to late September) has certain periods in which gift giving coincides with the particular seasons. During the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur many types of gifts are given, especially gifts of food and wine, as well for the home. As these holidays usually fall during or after the September Equinox, the holidays usher in the Autumn season, and gifts of harvest related items, including paintings, pottery, and other art work are very good gift ideas. These holidays are also deeply tied to religion; and a number of Jewish jewelry gift items, including amulets and Judaica items make excellent gifts.
Almost immediately following the Yom Kippur fast is the eight day festival of Sukkot. Sukkot is a harvest festival, making items dealing with seasonal produce as well as artwork excellent gift ideas. When visiting friends and relatives during this period, especially during the interim Chol Hamoed days, gifts of wine and house wares as well as seasonal fruits are smart gift ideas.
Following Sukkot, the next big gift giving festival is the eight day festival of Hanukkah, occurring during the Hebrew month of Kislev which falls during the month of December. Hanukkah is definitely a children's festival, which means any type of gifts for children, from infants to teenagers, are appropriate. Since Hanukkah is also called "Chag Hanurim" or Festival of Lights, giving gifts such as eight candled Hanukkah Menorahs and Dreidels, both excellent seasonal gift ideas. Some excellent examples of handmade Menorahs can be found in the Judaica gifts section of our site.
Tu-Bishvat is a mid-winter festival following Hanukkah celebrating the new year of the trees and, in fact, Tu-Bishvat is called the Festival of Trees in English and gifts of nuts and dried fruit, as well as seasonal citrus fruit make excellent gifts. Since Tu-Bishvat is actually the "Birthday of Trees" any kind of gift relating to trees, nature and wildlife is an excellent gift ideas.
Purim is the next gift giving festival, and falls on the Hebrew month of Adar (late February to mid-March). Like Hanukkah, Purim is a fun holiday for kids and children often give what is called in Hebrew "Mishloah Manot" which are gift parcels of sweets and small toys.
A month after Purim, in the Hebrew month of Nisan, is the festival of Pesach or Passover. Passover is a very special season for gift giving; especially gift parcels with "Kosher for Passover" foods and wines as well as gifts for the home. Like Rosh Hashanah, Passover is a big gift giving season.
The last important gift giving festival of the Jewish year is the holiday of Shavuot which occurs six weeks after Passover in the month of Sivan, usually early June. Shavuot is a harvest festival as well as a religious one, and is also referred to as "Bikurim" (first fruits), making gifts of seasonal produce and flowers very appropriate; as well as artwork. Gifts of dairy products, such as fine cheese, wines and dairy foods are also very good gift ideas, since many people eat only dairy products during this holiday. Shavuot is the religious holiday that marks the time when the Children of Israel were given the Torah at Mt. Sinai. Gifts with a religious motif, including Jewish Gifts and Judaica are very appropriate.
The last gift giving festival of the Jewish Year is called "Tu-Be Av" which occurs in late summer during the Hebrew month of Av, is actually the Jewish "festival of love". Any kind of gift with a romantic flavor, as found in our sites, including Handmade Jewelry, Heart Jewelry, Gifts for Her and Gifts for Him are a very good place to look.
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