How do we turn the story of the oil that lasted eight full days into our own personal miracle -one that brings stability to our budget and prevents our family overdraft from growing?
I absolutely love Hanukkah! A vibrant holiday full of light, a celebration of miracles, family warmth (when it’s cold outside, and sometimes even rainy), sufganiyot (jelly donuts), songs, candle lighting, Hanukkah gelt (money), and live shows for the kids! Every year brings countless musical performances, plays, theater productions, maybe even a circus, and more. With so many events available, it’s worth considering whether the most expensive productions are really necessary.
It’s important to note that most events offer significant discounts, so everyone can find savings – through credit card benefits, loyalty programs, employee perks, and more. Check with friends and family to see if they can help you access discounted tickets. I’ve even seen performances advertised for as little as 25NIS, not to mention that most productions also offer free tickets to those who need them. I highly recommend bringing snacks and drinks from home rather than paying the outrageous prices at concession stands.
One of our challenges as parents is that our children have learned to “pull at our heartstrings” with the claim: “But everyone else is going to…” which usually turns out to be inaccurate and, frankly, not even relevant. As my mother used to say: “If everyone jumped off a roof, would you jump too?” Teach your children that you don’t give in to social pressure and don’t act based on what others do, you act according to your values and budget boundaries. Help them understand the meaning of enjoying what they have and finding happiness in their circumstances.
Learning to manage your money and set priorities
Additionally, Hanukkah holds a wonderful opportunity for smart family financial management. You give your children Hanukkah gelt (money) and they rush to buy the first item that catches their eye. Give them tools for life and teach them how to manage properly: explain that money we receive as a gift is indeed appropriate for treats and fun, but it’s worth considering what else we can do with the money and establishing priorities.
For example: decide with them how much of the money will be spent on purchases and how much they should save for the future. Share with them your own holiday planning and budgeting (of course, tailored to each child’s age and understanding), including how much you’ve decided to spend on a show and what to do with the remaining budget. Suggest to them (the older ones) to research what events and activities are available, who they want to visit, and where to go. This way, you’ll involve them as partners in the decision-making process and greatly contribute to their self-confidence. You’ll discover together that a family evening of board games and lots of laughter will often be an unforgettable experience that the children will remember – more than the experience of any expensive musical performance.
Every financial decision you make today will affect your future, and the sooner you gain good financial insights, the more you’ll increase your chances for a secure tomorrow. Hanukkah gelt can be a special catalyst to start this change and pass it on to our children, rather than giving in to the misleading guilt feelings as if we’ve deprived our children of something.
We, as parents, are an important and primary role model, and boundaries are a crucial and necessary component of our children’s healthy development. We need to believe in the boundaries we draw, believe that they are indeed worthy and appropriate. It’s important that we understand the rationale behind the boundary and what the consequences will be if we don’t implement it. Our understanding of the reason and outcome behind the boundary helps us maintain it and be consistent. These boundaries will teach your children to be mature and independent and will prevent them from reaching adulthood with an overdrawn bank account and lack of financial control.
Finally, one last tip: School and daycare breaks during Hanukkah can consume work days, and I recommend organizing a homemade cooperative day camp with friends or other parents from school. Each day, a different parent hosts and entertains the group of children, allowing the other parents to focus on their work.
Wishing you a joyful Hanukkah full of miracles and wonders!
Sigal Lazarovitz, Volunteer Counselor at Paamonim
