Hanukkah party ideas: Food, games, activities

NEW YORK — Hanukkah is a joyful holiday that comes with its own rituals, foods, games, songs and stories. That makes it easy to throw a party, especially since the traditions can be enjoyed by guests of all ages and backgrounds.

Everyone loves yummy latkes and the sight of those beautiful menorah candles lighting up a dark winter night. But the parties are not only a way for Jewish families to share their heritage; they're also a way to connect with friends and neighbors at a busy time of year. Here are some ideas for creating the perfect Hanukkah party.

Latkes: You can't have Hanukkah without latkes. These are pancakes made from shredded potatoes, onions and eggs, with a little salt and flour mixed in, then fried golden brown and served with applesauce and sour cream. You can buy them frozen and heat them up to ease your burdens as hostess, but for me, making them from scratch is part of the fun.

The only problem is, latkes can't be prepared much in advance. Raw potatoes discolor and reheated latkes never seem crispy enough. So get everything else ready for the party first, and about 90 minutes before your guests arrive, start shredding potatoes. My secret to perfect latkes: Squeeze water out of the shredded potatoes and onions before you add eggs. Just pick the mixture up by the handful and wring it out like you would a wet washcloth. This keeps the latkes from falling apart and helps them fry up nice and crisp.

I keep the first latkes hot on cookie trays in the oven until party time, and I continue frying as guests arrive until the last batch is done. But I'm never alone in the kitchen. The delicious smell draws folks in. Some clamor for a hot latke right out of the pan; others want a lesson in latke-making.

Other food: Fried food is traditional for Hanukkah, so I buy readymade chicken wings. (Cooking latkes is all the frying I can handle for one event.)

A platter of sliced fruit with toothpicks is a nice contrast to all that grease.

And pasta salad is an easy main dish to prep in advance and serve at room temperature. Look for pasta shaped like Stars of David at specialty stores and online.

Treats: Traditional sweets include jelly doughnuts (called sufganiyot) and chocolate coins covered in metal foil (called gelt). Put a bowl of chocolate gelt on the table, or hand out party bags with a dreidel and some chocolate coins in each.