To me, the most exciting thing about Hanukkah — which is coming up on December 18 — is getting to wear my Hanukkah sweaters every day.
I love, love, love Hanukkah sweaters. I grew up in Israel, so they just don’t have the tacky Christmas party connotation for me. In fact, I wear some of my more fashionable Hanukkah sweaters all year round. Especially during quarantine, I’ve found comfort in my cozy, old Hanukkah sweaters — which nobody can judge me for wearing months in advance, because no one can see me anyway. Mwahaha.
Let’s be frank for a second, a lot of Hanukkah sweaters? They’re bad. I mean, really, really bad. From using non-Hanukkah-related Jewish puns like “meowzel tov” to some slightly antisemitic stereotypes (“gelt digger?!”), these terrible sweaters are just super fetishizing and inappropriate. It’s almost like… there’s a non-Jewish person making all of these sweaters? Hmmm…
But, after wading through all the bad options, I’ve managed to pull together the creme de la creme of Hanukkah sweaters — or at least, a few fun, topical ones that you and your family might get a kick out of. So get ready for maximum Hanukkah coziness:
Baby and Kids Sweaters
Hanukkah Menorasaurus sweater (Target)
Is the design on this sweater great? No, not really. Is the dinosaur menorah on this sweater kosher? Absolutely not. Was my son drawn to this sweater at Target like a moth to the flame, refused to let it go until we bought it and wore it to school and to birthday parties months before Hanukkah? Yes, yes he did. And I believe that makes it a good Hanukkah sweater.
Target Rugrats baby / Toddler / Kids sweatshirt
This Hanukkah sweater is the GOAT. The nostalgia. The coziness. The lovable characters that will make you want to watch “A Rugrats Chanukah” every night of the holiday — it’s all there. The only thing is that this sweater is white, which will be a problem when you try to get all those chocolate gelt stains out. But nothing in life is perfect, I suppose.
Geltfiend Electric Cardigan (Geltfiend)
I mean, how cute is this cardigan??? So cute. Geltfiend designs are just so stylish and wonderful and the quality is worth the price.
Meowy Christmas, Just Kitten Around, Happy Hanukcat Hanukkah Top (Etsy)
Do your kids love cats? Well, this Hanukkah sweatshirt —which has, quite literally, all the cat puns on it — is perfect for them!
Hanukkah kid’s hoodie, I’m Here for the Gelt (Etsy)
I’m not a fan of “gelt digger” sweaters, but I like a child that announces what they’re at the party for, and if they’re all about those chocolate coins, so be it. This hoodie will definitely get a chuckle at the family Zoom holiday party.
Happy Llamakkah Toddler / Kids Hanukkah Sweatshirt / Hoodie or Crewneck (Etsy)
This Happy Llamakah sweater is a bit on the pricey side, but I love the eight cartoon candllamas (that’s candle llamas, yes) on it.
Hanukcats & Llamakkah DIY Hanukkah sweater kits (Etsy)
What’s better than a new Hanukkah sweater? Turning an old plain sweater into a Hanukkah one, of course! These two kits either allow you to make adorable cat or llama-themed Hanukkah sweaters and honestly, they’re just so friggin’ cute. This is the perfect Hanukkah for a crafting project, and we can’t think of a better one than this!
Eight Crazy Nights Sweater (Etsy)
This sweatshirt features a quote from Adam Sandler’s iconic “Hanukkah Song,” (“instead of one day of presents, we have eight crazy nights”) which is also the name of his somewhat ill-advised 2002 Hanukkah film. It’s a simple and lovely little sweater fit for any kid-friendly holiday party.
Personalized Hanukkah Menorah Sweater (Etsy)
There’s nothing super special about this sweater, which features a simple menorah graphic, but I do love that there is an option to personalize it with your kid’s name. But as a kid, there’s just something nice about having a unique sweater, just for you.
Grown-Up Sweaters
Target Rugrats Hanukkah Sweatershirt (Target)
She is an icon, she is the legend and she is the moment, and everyone on the Kveller team has her. Enough said.
All the Geltfiend sweaters (Geltfiend)
If you want to infuse your Hanukkah with style, these are the sweaters for you.
Cat menorah sweater (Etsy)
For the Jewish cat person in your life.
Big Dreidel Energy (Etsy)
The Jewish BDE we need.
Broadway Menorah (Etsy)
“Fiddler on the Roof” is the shamash in this Broadway themed Hanukkah sweater — as it should be.
Eight nights eight lights (Etsy)
I keep thinking of “Miracle” by Matishyahu when I see this line but also, how adorable is the menorah on this sweater??
Hanukkah Vibes Sweatshirt (Hey Alma)
A beautiful, understated Hanukkah sweater that comes in four different colors and supports our wonderful sister site Hey Alma? Sign us up please.
Hanukkah Gnomes Sweater (Etsy)
People have all kinds of feelings about gnomes, but I absolutely adore them. Here for the Jewish gnomes.
Tassel Hanukkah Sweater (Modern Tribe/ Tipsy Elves)
I can’t say I 100% get it, but I’ve never seen anything quite like this tassel sweater.
They SEE ME ROLLIN Hanukkah Sweatshirt (Etsy)
Hip hop and R&B puns have become a quintessential part of the Hanukkah sweater. “They see me rollin'” just works well, both as a reference to the Chamillionaire and Krayzie Bone song, and your excellent sweater and dreidel game!
Hanukkah 8 Nights Sweater (Etsy)
I like how this sweater looks like a sports team sweatshirt. I, too, am team “Hanukkah 8 nights.”
Have A Pretty Pretty Pretty Good Hanukkah Unisex Sweatshirt (Amazon)
It’s Larry David. On a Hanukkah sweatshirt. It’s pretty, pretty, pretty awesome.
Adam Sandler Hanukkah Sweater (Etsy)
Is this sweater of Adam Sandler wearing a yarmulke a little and quoting a lyric from his iconic Hanukkah song creepy? Yes, yes it is. Do I still kind of want it? Yes, yes I do.
Menora-saurus Sweater (Etsy)
Here at Kveller, we love dinosaur menorahs of all types and sizes, and so of course we need to add a sweater with one to our list!
Roy Kent Happy F*cking Hanukkah Sweater (Etsy)
Roy! Kent! If you love Hanukkah and “Ted Lasso” — and Jewish actor Brett Goldstein, who not only plays Roy in the show but is a writer on the show — you need this sweater. Get it now before it’s here, it’s there, it’s every-fucking-where!
Tie-Dye Happy Hanukkah Sweater (Etsy)
It’s the year of the tie-dye and we are contractually obligated to add a tie-dye sweater to this list. This one says “latkes, sufganiyot & gelt. Happy Hanukkah.” I see no lies here.
Love You a Latke Sweater (Etsy)
If you, like me, love latkes, and wish to announce it to the world, this sweater is for you. This sweater does technically say “love you a latke,” a Hanukkah pun that is solid if not a little overused, but when you first glance at it the words “love” and “latke” are the most prominent, and they are two words that obviously belong together.
Happy Llamakkah crewneck sweater (Etsy)
I really love the vibe of the llamakkah on this sweater, it’s so sweet and so serene. It just feels like it a really good headspace — and we all need more of that right now. I aspire to be in the mood this llama is in forever.
Bonus Dog sweater:
I love you a latke dog sweater (Etsy)
If you, like most dog owners, love your dog (a latke), this dog sweater is for you. Your dog has been keeping you company and providing emotional support during the pandemic — doesn’t it deserve a Hanukkah gift, too?
