Just like your Christian friends, whatever you think they would like. Kosher chocolates, fancy jams, nice PLAIN Jewelry(Jews are forbidden to wear symbols of other gods), a lovely piece of apparel (no Sandy Claws, please), a cheese and cracker platter. Other options..if there is a kosher restaurant in your location, a gift certificate to it; a manicure certificate, kosher wine (always a favorite), a fancy yarmulke for him. What NOT to get your friend. Crosses, Christian motifs on clothing, pork or shellfish dishes, swedish meatballs(breaks kosher dietary laws), sleevless blouses for ladies, angel motifs.
Although Hanukkah does not have a particular tradition of gift giving outside of it's proximity to Christmas, "Hanukkah Harry" has occasionally been recognized as the Jewish analog to Santa Claus.
Yes. There are no rules about Hanukkah gifts. In fact, the only traditional gift on Hanukkah is the gelt (coins; money) given to children.
Yes, but he should remember to include a Hanukkah card with the gift.
There are no festivals similar to Hanukkah at all. However, among non-Orthodox Jews, Hanukkah has borrowed some practices from Christmas, such as gift giving, which give the appearance of a similarity. But actually, the only traditional gift during Hanukkah is the gelt (coins) given to children.
Gift-giving during Hanukkah is a US invention performed by Liberal Jewish parents who saw that Jews felt left out of the Christmas gift-giving spirit. It has nothing to do with the proper celebration of Hanukkah. However, if you are a Liberal Jew in the US, you will likely receive gifts because this new tradition is pervasive.
Yes. Be cautioned that if the family keeps kosher, it should be a kosher wine.
The only traditional Hanukkah gift is the gelt (coins) given to children.
Children get gifts from their parents and other relatives and friends, if gift giving is a custom for that family. Some Jewish families exchange presents, and some do not. Gift giving is most common among American and Canadian Jews, but it's a custom that only started a few decades ago due to influence from Christmas.
There is no special name for the act of gift giving on Hanukkah. This is a new custom. The only traditional gift is the coins given to children.
Jews don't celebrate Christmas so there's no need to give us Christmas presents. If the person who's Jewish is a friend, they might even get insulted. Personally, if a friend who wants to give me a gift at this time of year takes the time to give me a Channukah gift or card, I'm truly touched because that really shows how much they care for me as a person (in no way do I expect Channukah gifts from friends, my family doesn't exchange gifts for the holiday). A couple years ago, a coworker who does cross-stitch made small Christmas themed items for our team and she made a Channukah one for me.
Gift-giving on Hanukkah is a modern practice, only a few decades old. There are no customs or traditions associated with it. The only traditional gift on Hanukkah is the Hanukkah-gelt (coins) given to children.
A picture appropriate for the type of restaurant.