•

Entertain for Chanukah and
New Year's Eve with twists on tradition.

-
1

ANNABEL COHEN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

3 arties are in the air this time of year. And celebrations
abound, with two very festive holidays — Chanukah and
New Year's Eve — back-to-back.
Chanukah is unique. It exalts in its message of miracles
and overcoming oppressors. New Year's Eve is a time of reflec-
tion and expectations.
Chanukah is among the most festive holidays of the year for both
children and adults. You can serve your favorite foods with the tra-
ditional decorated table topped with chocolate gelt, plastic dreidels
and confetti, or try a new twist on entertaining that will make your
Chanukah memorable. Best of all, these adornments are easy and
quick to put together for just about anyone.
Then ring in 1996 with a fête they'll talk a pout al l year long. Cre-
ate the mood for New Year's Eve. It begins with setting the stage.
Go glamour with lights turned low, candles lit and music, contem-
porary and cosmopolitan. Or, go fun for the start of a great year.

Happy Chanukah

/A

Above:
Best buddies since
birth, Samantha
Garber and Bradley
Krasnick have dined
on many a latke
together.

Right:
Four-year-olds Jenna
Garber and Brian
Krasnick celebrate
Chanukah au nature!.

This first Chanukah centerpiece doesn't cost a own. Go with the natural look,
thing. Make your table a collage of cherished or create copper spray-paint-
objects. Begin with your menorah. If you have ed fruits, nuts, leaves and pine
more than one, use them all. Next, position fa- cones for an unusual centerpiece (spray paint
vorite framed photographs around the meno- is available at hardware and craft stores). Make
rahs. Continue with small trinkets from around your own menorah out of apples. Stick candles
the house — small animal figures, toys, dolls, right in the center of each apple (or pear or small
more candles, wrapped candies, children's pro- squash). Then go outside and clip branches from
jects. Or, arrange small gifts wrapped in craft evergreens and place them around the table.
paper or placed into brown paper lunch bags in The look is outdoorsy and expressive.
a basket or directly on the table. Tie them up
Marcy Tucker Colman and Janice Cherkasky,
with a raffia ribbon (available at craft stores and party planners from Gourmet Parties in
florists). Make thick Chanukah sugar cookies Franklin, suggest other fun and unusual table
on-a-stick and tie them around each napkin ideas. How about hanging a Chanukah wire-
when you set the table. The look is warm and decorated "garland" directly from the ceiling
personal.
onto your buffet table, or draping it directly from
Embellish your Chanukah table with nature's your chandelier. Another favorite decoration be-
gins with many clear vases filled with water,
Annabel Cohen is a chef cooking instructor and
rtri .11 niutavo_c
frPCh frl 1 f
writer