What is Hanukkah gelt? A fun & meaningful holiday tradition
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Key takeaways:
Hanukkah is a time for light, laughter, and family connection. If you’ve celebrated before, you’ve probably seen the little gold or silver-wrapped coins called gelt. But what is Hanukkah gelt, and why has it become such a sweet part of the holiday?
Let’s look at the story behind gelt and how families celebrate it now.
The history of Hanukkah gelt
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The word “gelt” comes from the Yiddish and German words for “money.” Hundreds of years ago, Jewish families gave real coins during Hanukkah. The custom began in 17th-century Eastern Europe, when families gifted coins to teachers and students as a token of appreciation for studying and teaching Torah. Over time, it spread to children as a small reward and reminder of the holiday’s message: that even small acts can bring light.
By the early 1900s, chocolate makers began wrapping chocolate in gold foil to resemble those coins. The idea caught on quickly, turning gelt into a treat enjoyed by families around the world.
What gelt represents
Giving gelt has always been about more than the coins themselves. It’s a tradition that celebrates giving, learning, and appreciation. Families used gelt to teach lessons about generosity, reward kids for their efforts, and show gratitude for others.
Many parents still keep those values at the center of their celebrations today, though the form of gelt may have changed.
Teaching values through gelt
One reason gelt has stayed so popular is because it opens the door to meaningful family conversations. Parents can use the tradition to help kids think about what money means and how to use it wisely. A simple way to do that is by encouraging kids to split their gelt into three groups:
Give: Share part of their coins or money with someone who could use a little extra help.
Save: Keep a few coins for something special later.
Enjoy: Use the rest for fun, such as a treat, a game, or a small gift for someone else.
These small choices help kids connect generosity, gratitude, and financial awareness in a natural way.
How families celebrate with gelt today
Chocolate coins remain a favorite part of the Hanukkah season. Families often use them in dreidel games, where each Hebrew letter on the spinning top tells players whether to take or give coins. But modern families have also found new ways to keep the spirit of gelt alive:
Sending small digital gifts or money transfers to family members far away.
Donating gelt to charity to share light beyond the home.
Creating homemade gelt using chocolate molds for a fun family activity.
Swapping real coins for experiences, like a family movie night or a community event.
No matter how it’s celebrated, gelt continues to represent generosity, joy, and togetherness.
A lasting symbol of light and giving
Hanukkah gelt might look simple, but it carries a powerful message. Whether it’s a handful of chocolate coins or a small act of kindness, it reminds families that giving and gratitude are the brightest parts of the season.
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This blog post is provided “as is” and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Some content in this post may have been created using artificial intelligence; however, every blog post is reviewed by at least two human editors.
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