Each year, like a kid in a kosher candy store, I can’t wait for Hanukkah items to pop up in store aisles, endcaps and of course in those eerily personal holiday-sponsored ads (with the random seder plate as the fourth carousel photo — IYKYK).
In addition to being a rabbi and Hanukkah pajama-maker, I’ve become something of a Hanukkah watchdog — equal parts cheerleader and critic (OK, OK, more critic!) — scouring every possible store (and posting each visit on Instagram), usually while wearing my own Hanukkah pajamas. Because: Research.
I genuinely appreciate how more and more brands have jumped on the blue-and-silver bandwagon. But each season still brings an impressive array of Hanukkah errors — from boutique brands to big-box stores — that make me laugh, sigh and occasionally want to send out Jewish flashcards.
Even in the age of Google and AI (or perhaps especially the age of AI), the mishaps keep coming. I’ve now filled two entire tubs with questionable Hanukkah merch. My personal favorite remains last year’s Hanukkah nutcracker holding a three-pronged menorah — he’s basically my Elf on the Shelf.
Here are the top Hanukkah mishaps of 2025.
1. Hanukkah Phone Case
Velvet Caviar’s new phone case brings Hanukkah into its pink era.
WHAT WORKS: It’s pink, sparkly and totally on-trend. The Hanukkiyah with the bow? Adorable. I even bought two real Hanukkiyot with bows this season. The phone case also features pink gelt, yellow-and-pink dreidels and my personal favorite: pink sufganiyot (jelly donuts). Sweet, chic and nearly perfect.
WHAT DOESN’T: Apples? Apples are for Rosh Hashanah! Maybe the designer thought applesauce = apples? Still a stretch. This is giving Jewish holiday food confusion.
2. Hanukkah Garland
Nordstrom brings us a double-sided, handcrafted Hanukkah garland (sold out at Nordstrom but available directly from East End Press).
WHAT WORKS: Great color palette of blues and browns! The vintage brass-style Hanukkiyah on one of the garland pieces feels like a lovely nod to mid-century Judaica — one of the first American-made Hanukkiyot that proved U.S. Jews would buy new ones even if they already had one from the Old Country. This Hanukkiyah is basically the great-great-grandparent of today’s bow Hanukkiyah trend.
WHAT DOESN’T: Everything else. A Torah scroll (not even in Hebrew!!), random doves (there are no doves in the Hanukkah story) and a hamsa? None of these are Hanukkah. Out of the whole design, maybe 20 percent is on-theme — tops. Also, how are there not dreidels on this?
It’s made from recycled materials, which is great, but apparently that includes recycled languages. I’ve asked several scholars and no one knows what this is!
3. Hanukkah Pajamas
Bloomingdale’s carries these adorable kids Hanukkah Pajamas by Esme — covered in gelt, dreidels and the tiniest little Stars of David.
WHAT WORKS: I’ll always cheer for more Hanukkah pajamas — especially ones that push beyond the typical blue-and-silver palette (these come in pink and blue!).
WHAT DOESN’T: Backwards Hebrew on all of the dreidels is inexcusable in 2025. It’s wild that a design error like this made it all the way to Bloomingdale’s shelves. Next time, just ask someone — literally anyone — who reads Hebrew!
4. “Happy Challah Days” Wall Art
I’m obsessed with this “Happy Challah Days” Hanukkah wall art from Kohl’s, featuring a wreath made entirely of challah.
WHAT WORKS: I love a good carb-based Jewish pun. Challah continues to have its Hanukkah moment, even though it’s not something we officially eat for the holiday.
WHAT DOESN’T: It’s unclear when “Happy Challah Days” completely overtook Hanukkah, but this wreath might be the turning point. It would be fine if it paired the pun with a Hanukkah motif — but here, the challah (which doesn’t really look like challah) is shaped like a wreath with a red bow. At least make the bow blue! I’m confused… and hungry.
5. Hanukkah Napkins
HomeGoods and Homesense both included these hand-designed Hanukkah napkins on their endcaps — complete with dainty yellow, blue and white dreidels, each sporting its own little bow (bows are everywhere this season!).
WHAT WORKS: Great idea in theory — everyone loves Hanukkah-themed napkins. They are an easy way to elevate any latke station and soak up some oil. I actually like the “Hanukkah colors meet pastels” vibe.
WHAT DOESN’T: These could’ve been proofed by anyone who spent a single day in Hebrew school. The dreidel shows only two letters — often backwards — and the nun looks like it’s had a facelift.
6. Hanukkah Taper Candle Set
Anthropologie launched beautiful Hanukkah taper candles, with each candle featuring beautiful gold Stars of David and a blue seven-branched menorah.
WHAT WORKS: The design is gorgeous — these would make truly elegant Shabbat candles (though one candlestick is oddly taller than the other).
WHAT DOESN’T: Not for Hanukkah! We don’t use taper candles for Hanukkah — and a seven-branched menorah belongs in the ancient Temple, not on your windowsill. Props to Anthropologie for quietly pulling these once the issue was noted.
7. Hanukkah Plush Throw Blanket
Kohl’s introduced us to this Hanukkah plush throw blanket, featuring a red-and-blue print of pomegranates, blue-and-yellow Hanukkiyot, yellow stars and a few random blue and red flowers.
WHAT WORKS: Pomegranates are stunning and symbolically rich in Jewish tradition — for Rosh Hashanah.
WHAT DOESN’T: These fruits might come naturally in holiday “red,” but they are not, I repeat not, for Hanukkah. They’ve shown up on Hanukkah placemats, plates, blankets and even socks. They have their own holiday! (See: Rosh Hashanah.) Let’s not make “Rosh Hashanukkah” happen. Ever.
8. Hanukkah Earrings
Nestled among the Christmas earrings, I was delighted to find not one but two earring cards filled with Hanukkah designs at Target. I also love seeing Hanukkah make an appearance outside the designated Hanukkah aisle!
WHAT WORKS: These are so cute: gelt, jelly donuts, even a kiddush cup! OK, we don’t officially have kiddush for Hanukkah, but sure, I’ll take it. One pack even promises “a menorah-able look for every night.” That pun delivers.
WHAT DOESN’T: In one set, the Hebrew letters on the dreidels are backwards. They almost nailed it, but the heys and nuns flipped the script. As the other Hanukkah earring pack on the jewelry display says: Oy vey. Indeed.
9. Dreidel Plates from Pottery Barn
Pottery Barn has added a slew of new Hanukkah items this season, including “Hanukkah Figural Stoneware Appetizer Plates.” I think that’s a fancy way of saying dreidel-shaped plates.
WHAT WORKS: The design is lovely. The lettering of the hey is beautiful, and the appetizer tray shape is adorable. Matching napkin rings? Extra. The traditional Hanukkah colors actually make it all work. They are so beautiful!
WHAT DOESN’T: But why only one letter? It’s like the designer learned a single Hebrew letter and called it a day. And they didn’t even choose gimel — if you’re going to pick only one letter, why not go for the winning one?!
10. Bonus Mistake: Hanukkah Display at Michaels Stores
Michaels decided to deck out their Hanukkah displays with blown up product photos this year, which also list the dates for Hanukkah. Yay for more Hanukkah visibility!
WHAT’S RIGHT: The signage features beautiful Hanukkah colors: blues, silvers and plenty of shine.
WHAT’S NOT: The main display image features a blown-up photo of last year’s incorrect Hanukkah Tinsel Garland — complete with a backwards Hebrew letter chet (a letter that isn’t even on the dreidel!). Instead of fixing the error, this national retailer made it the poster child for Hanukkah! Chag sameach!
