42 Hanukkah greetings to share with others this holiday season
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, MBA
Looking to spread some love this holiday season? Check out these 42 Hanukkah greetings you can share with your friends, family, and even work colleagues.
Life can be hard, so when a holiday like Hanukkah comes around that’s filled with light, love, and tradition, it can feel like such a breath of fresh air. (Okay, maybe it’s still a little stressful to see certain members of the family!)
But overall, Hanukkah mostly feels like a nice, warm hug and a reminder that miracles can happen. It’s also a great opportunity to stop, reflect, and spread a little joy with the people in our life.
Sometimes it can be tough though to think of the exact right way to say or send a meaningful holiday message. So if this is something you struggle with — we’ve got you. Let’s whip out our fancy pens and dive into some greetings that could help brighten someone’s day, and hopefully make them feel valued.
5 examples of hanukkah greetings
We’ve all been there. We stop and get ready to write a quick holiday greeting and then instant panic hits us. “Wait, what if my message is boring and bland? How can I be thoughtful but also incredibly funny?”
Finding the right words to share Hanukkah wishes can be hard. But try not to overwhelm yourself and instead focus on keeping it warm and simple. Here are some examples to inspire you:
“Happy Hanukkah! Wishing you a season filled with light, love, and tons of laughter.”
“Chag Sameach! May your Hanukkah be full of blessings and joy.”
“Wishing you peace and happiness this Hanukkah.”
“May the light of the menorah brighten your days and fill you with warmth.”
“Hanukkah Sameach! Hoping this holiday brings you and your loved ones closer.”
3 tips for personalizing your greetings
A small personal touch can also help make your greeting that much more memorable. If nothing’s immediately coming to mind, here’s three tips to help get your ideas flowing:
Use the recipient’s name (or even their nickname) to make your message feel tailored to them.
Reference a shared memory or experience — if it’s related to Hanukkah, even better.
If you know they’re celebrating in a unique way, like hosting a party or trying a new recipe, mention that in your message.
Loving greetings for family
Writing or sharing Hanukkah greetings with family can sometimes be the easiest thing in the world but it can also sometimes feel like you’re avoiding stepping on a landmines. So if you’re in your head, try reframing and focus on shared warm memories and or the connection you’ve formed.
Here are some loving Hanukkah greetings you could use for your family:
“Happy Hanukkah! I’m so grateful for our family and all the traditions we have.”
“Hope your Hanukkah is as bright as the menorah!”
“Wishing you a Hanukkah filled with love, laughter, and so many potato pancakes!”
“Wishing you eight nights of menorah lighting, dreidel spinning, and chocolate gelt hoarding!”
“Happy Hanukkah! Let’s eat all the latkes and pretend to diet in January.”
For parents
If you’re writing to your parents, focusing on how much you appreciate them might make them smile. (And if gratitude doesn’t always come easily to you, here’s 10 ways to practice!)
“Happy Hanukkah! Thank you for teaching me the importance of family, faith, and tradition. I’m so lucky I have you as my parent.”
“Happy Hanukkah to the best parents in the world! I love you even more than I love sufganiyot. (Okay, almost as much — but that’s still a lot!)”
For siblings
If you’re writing to your siblings, maybe have a little fun with it and make it more casual.
“Happy Hanukkah! Looking forward to lighting candles and stealing all the latkes off your plate!”
“Happy Hanukkah! I call dibs on the best latkes — so don’t even try.”
For extended family
If you’re writing to your extended family, maybe focus on just how great it is to be a part of this specific family.
“Wishing you a Happy Hanukkah filled with love. I’m so grateful to be part of such an amazing (and beautiful) family!”
“May the lights of the menorah remind us of all the traditions that have brought our family closer. Happy Hanukkah!”
For kids or younger family members
If you’re writing to young family members, consider making it more playful.
“Happy Hanukkah! I hope you win every game of dreidel and your parents let you have all the gelt you can eat!”
“Wishing you eight nights of presents, treats, and fun!”
Warm greetings for friends
During the holiday season, sometimes we focus so much on our family that we can forget to give some of that warm and gooey love back to our friends as well. (And if you’re currently feeling like you want to be a better friend, here are seven tips.)
So here are some sweet greetings to send to your friends (and chosen family) that can let them know how much they mean to you.
“Happy Hanukkah! I’m so lucky to have you as a friend. Wishing you tons of love and even more laughter.” “Happy Hanukkah! May your latkes be golden, and your dreidel always land on gimel!”
“Wishing you eight nights of light, laughter, and too much chocolate gelt!”
“May your Hanukkah be as fun as you are!”
“May the spirit of Hanukkah fill you with love! And thanks for always being there for me!”
“Happy Hanukkah to my favorite dreidel-spinning partner!”
For close friends
If you’re writing to a best friend or someone in your close inner circle, maybe make it even more personal.
“Happy Hanukkah to my ride or die! I’m so lucky to have you in my life.”
“Happy Hanukkah! You’re such a bright light in my life, and I’m so grateful you’re my friend. Can’t wait to see you soon!”
“Hanukkah Sameach! Let’s steal gelt from our kids when they’re not looking.”
For casual friends or acquaintances
If you’re writing to a more casual friend or acquaintance, focus on keeping it warm and friendly.
“Wishing you a Hanukkah full of light. Happy Hanukkah!”
“Wishing you eight nights filled with laughter and latkes. Happy Hanukkah!”
“Happy Hanukkah! May your holiday be jam-packed with fun and friends.”
💙 Listen to Kate Johnson’s “Meaningful Practice for Meaningful Friendship” if you’re wanting to get even closer to some of your more casual friends.
For long-distance friends
If you’re writing to friends you can’t be with this Hanukkah, let them know they’re still thinking about them.
“Happy Hanukkah! Can’t wait to celebrate when you’re back!”
“Even though we’re miles apart, I’m thinking of you on Hanukkah. Wishing you belly laughs and yummy food this holiday season!”
“Wishing you eight nights of light and love from afar! Happy Hanukkah!”
Appropriate greetings for work colleagues
A lot of the time we spend more time with our coworkers than we do with our friends and family. So why not take time to also acknowledge them this holiday season and spread a little joy around our workplace?
Here are some thoughtful, respectful, and workplace-appropriate greetings you could tell your colleague this Hanukkah that might make them feel good:
“Happy Hanukkah! May your menorah shine bright and your email inbox stay light this holiday season!”
“Wishing you a Happy Hanukkah filled with light and happiness!”
“Wishing you eight nights of light and not a single meeting that could’ve been an email. Happy Hanukkah!”
“Happy Hanukkah! Hoping these eight nights are a joyful time for you and your family.”
“Chag Sameach! Wishing you a season filled with light.”
💙 If you’re having trouble leaving work at work this holiday season, give Tamara Levitt’s Daily Calm on Work Stress a listen.
For close colleagues
If you’re writing to a coworker that’s more of a friend, maybe add a cute personal note:
“Happy Hanukkah! Thanks for always being such a positive light at work. You make the days so much more fun here!”
“Happy Hanukkah! Here’s hoping your holiday is filled with delicious food, no emails from the boss, and days where you never get out of your sweats!”
For team-wide messages
If you’re emailing a greeting to a team or larger group, focus on keeping the tone inclusive and warm:
“Happy Hanukkah to all who celebrate! Hoping you have a wonderful holiday!”
“Wishing everyone celebrating Hanukkah a happy holiday! I hope the next eight nights are extra-special.”
Including Hanukkah in corporate holiday messages
If you’re going to send out a broader holiday message, consider adding Hanukkah greetings to make everyone feel include:
“As we celebrate this holiday season, we wish our colleagues who celebrate Hanukkah a joyous Festival of Lights.”
Hanukkah greetings FAQs
What is a traditional Hanukkah greeting in Hebrew?
If you didn’t grow up in a Jewish family or have tons of interactions with other people who identify as Jewish, it can feel intimidating to do a Hanukkah greeting — especially if it’s in Hebrew.
But try to reframe those nerves in your mind, and tell yourself that by even trying to greet someone in Hebrew, you’re demonstrating thoughtfulness and respect. Most people will really appreciate the effort.
Here’s three common greetings in Hebrew you could try saying.
“Chag Sameach,” which means “Happy holiday.”
“Hanukkah Sameach,” which means “Happy Hanukkah.”
“Chag Urim Sameach,” which means “Happy Festival of Lights.”
Is it okay to say happy Hanukkah to a friend?
We get it if you’re nervous to say something potentially offensive to your friend about their religion. But it’s totally okay to wish a friend a Happy Hanukkah — especially if you know they celebrate the holiday.
Saying “Happy Hanukkah!” is a great way to show your friend that you’re thinking about them and care about their traditions. It’s also completely fine to ask questions about how they celebrate the holiday. People like it when you show genuine interest and respect in their traditions.
Are Hanukkah greetings appropriate for interfaith friends or colleagues?
If you greet your friends or colleagues with respect and thoughtfulness, it’s totally fine to wish someone a “Happy Hanukkah” — even if you come from a different religion from them.
Honestly, your friend will probably be touched at the kind gesture and at acknowledging an important holiday they observe. This can even make the two of you grow closer and form a stronger connection. A good greeting you could use is, “Wishing you and your family a beautiful Hanukkah.”
How can I include Hanukkah wishes in a corporate holiday message?
Everyone likes it when they feel included and seen at their workplace. It makes them feel respected and a part of the team. But be careful not to prioritize one holiday over another so that no one gets their feelings hurt.
Here’s a thoughtful greeting you could send out as a corporate message that strikes an inclusive tone but also acknowledges multiple holidays:
“Wishing everyone a joyful holiday season, and to those celebrating Hanukkah, may your Festival of Lights be filled with happiness.”
What symbols or imagery should I include with a Hanukkah card?
If you’re in the festive spirit and want to add a fun image to your Hanukkah card but are worried that you might include the wrong symbol, we’ve got your back. Here’s some traditional imagery you could include:
A menorah
A dreidel
Chocolate gelt
Latkes
A star of David
Phrases like “Chag Sameach” or “Happy Hanukkah”
Also as a rule of thumb, avoid using symbols that are not a part of Hanukkah traditions, like Christmas trees or Santa Claus imagery.
Is it okay to send a Hanukkah greeting after the holiday begins?
We get it. You were planning to send a Hanukkah card but then life got in the way and now the holiday has already begun. You’re now worried that if you send a greeting, it might be seen as rude or disrespectful.
Well, worry not! Everyone still loves to be thought of — even if it’s a little late. And the great part about Hanukkah is it lasts for eight days, so you could potentially still have plenty of time to get that greeting in there before it’s over.
Maybe even have some fun with it and acknowledge the late timing. You could say, “Wishing you continued joy and light as you celebrate Hanukkah this week! (And also a better memory than mine! Sorry this is a little late!)” This shows that you’re aware of the holiday’s timeline, still making the effort to reach out, and adding a little humor in there as well.
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