The menorah is a well recognized symbol of Hanukah, with nine candles – one for each night of the holiday and one for the shamash or servant.  A candle is placed in the menorah each night, beginning from the far right and using the shamash candle to light each one.  This season, I’ve found some truly exceptional menorahs in a variety of styles, guaranteed to add a special touch to your celebration!

Mackenzie Childs

These menorahs are handcrafted, hand painted ceramic in two wonderful color combinations:  whimsical pastels or courtly black and white check!  (MacKenzie-Childs.com:  Dori Menorah, pictured, $288; Courtly Check Menorah,$318)

Joseph’s Coat

This menorah is beautiful, both in color and shape and symbolizes the coat that Jacob gave to Joseph in the Old Testament story.  It handmade of fused stripes of colored glass and includes lovely blue candles. (Joseph’s Coat, $218)

Bronze Bonsai

Combining revered Asian and Jewish traditions, the uniqueness of this menorah has great visual appeal.  Each cast bronze piece is hand finished and includes a set of 44 multicolored candles! (Bronze Bonsai, $138)

These menorahs would make wonderful wedding gifts, something special to mark the first Hanukah in a new home or just a stylish upgrade for your own home!

Flippy and Friends

Flippy is a whimsical little tadpole who encourages kids to use their imaginations to be anything they wish!  Four books and stuffed animals to go with them are just delightful! (all ages, Flippy and Friends, $6.99 – $12.99)

The Encyclopedia of Immaturity

Published by Klutz, this hilarious 410 page book is filled with hundreds of crazy tricks and goofy ideas for hours of laughter and silliness like:  how to bounce a doughnut, fake a sneeze and much more!  This book promises to amuse kids and grown ups, too! (Encyclopedia of Immaturity, $13.57)

Fancy Nancy Book and Doll  ( ages 4 to 8 )

Pick up this debut book and adorable cloth doll who arrives with red yarn hair that’s decorated with bows, butterflies, a crown and other fancy “stuff” and dressed in sparkles, glitter and glitz! (Book, Doll)

Knuffle Bunny:  A Cautionary Tale ( ages 4 to 8 )

Sure to amuse both kids and grownups, this story tells the tale of “knuffle bunny” and what happens when a special “lovey” is lost!  The bunny stuffed animal is a great tag along! (Book, Stuffed Bunny)

Other Favorites:

For Baby to Preschool

• Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus

For 4 to 8 Year Olds

• Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
• How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight
• Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse
• Clack Clack Moo:  Cows that Type

For Ages 9 to 12

• The Silver Spoon for Children:  Favorite Italian Recipes
• The Dangerous Book for Boys
• The Daring Book for Girls
• The American Doll School Book (for playing school with American Girl Dolls!)
• Egyptology
  

  Do you have a favorite fun book for kids?  Please share!

Tip of the Week – Get Ahead for Thanksgiving!

Although it’s too soon to actually start cooking that special meal, I love ideas that will give me a head start on the big dinner – and while I’ve detailed a few of those suggestions in a Thanksgiving Countdown Planner, here are a few more very easy things that you can do to get ahead:

Get Practical Now

• Self clean your oven.
• Stock up on disposable plastic containers, saran wrap, tin foil and food storage bags for easy clean up.
• Clean out your refrigerator, getting rid of everything you can!  Think – old condiments, salad dressings, and such.  Make as much room as possible for your Thanksgiving meal.
• Are you tired of gathering chairs from around the house?  Call now to rent chairs – they’ll all match on turkey day and be gone with the leftovers!
• Trying a new recipe?  Practice now!
• Shop for non-perishables – it will make the final shopping trip much easier!

And Again, a Day or Two Ahead

• Clear your countertops of all unnecessary appliances and decorations.
• Write out and post a copy of your entire menu in the kitchen (listing even the little things like butter!)
• Use post-its to label a dish, bowl or platter for every dish to be served.

Here’s to a stress free and delicious Thanksgiving Dinner!

A Please Visit This Week’s Tip Sponsor, Mail A Wreath!

CHRISTMAS MEMORY MAKER!  Want to Help kids while sharing a symbol of Hope?
Send their Fabulously Fresh and Fragrant Handmade Gift Boxed Christmas Wreaths to Family, Friends, Clients and Neighbors in the 48 states.  One Gift – Enjoyed by many – UNforgettable.!  ORDER TODAY! (Hurry! Ends REAL Soon, 11/27, Mail A Wreath)

You may also enjoy:

• Thanksgiving Fun for Kids
• Thanksgiving Count Down
• Thanksgiving Turducken
• Thanksgiving Cocktail Party
• Thanksgiving Faux Wishbones
• Decorating Your Thanksgiving Table

Do you hate putting away your Lilly pink and green for the winter?  Not to worry, Lilly now offers a fun selection of holiday cards, including both a traditionally styled card, as well as photo cards!  These preppy greetings are in Lilly’s traditional pink and green, but some of the patterns have a decidedly holiday flair!  Take a look and carry some summery days into December!

Here are two of my favorites:

• Dreamweaver Holiday Card

• Cabanarama Photo Card

Enter to Win! Enter to win a $50 gift certificate to Quote the Walls!

Easily and affordably add a special touch to any room decor with a custom wall decal!  From humorous to sentimental to motivational, quote the walls has a saying for everyone and every room!  Monograms, names and fun images are also available.  With 20 color choices and over 40 fonts, the design choices are endless.  All take only minutes to apply and easy step by step instructions are available on the website.  If you don’t find what you’re looking for,  Quote the Walls loves to create affordable custom orders!

To enter, simply sign up to receive our fun tips and product finds by completing the form below.

This list has a privacy policy.
Please add hostbee@busybeelifestyle.com to your address book to ensure our newsletter will be delivered to your regular in box.

If you’re already a member of our community, there are several ways you can enter:

- Leave a comment below sharing a favorite quote or image you like at Quote the Walls.

- Blog the giveaway and leave the URL in a comment.

- Link to Busy Bee, Follow Busy Bee or somehow promote this giveaway, and leave a comment telling us about what you’ve done.

This contest is open to US residents of at least 18 years and will end on November 22, 2009, 6 p.m., when a winner will be chosen by a random number generator, notified by e-mail and posted on this page. A valid email address (in email line on contact form) is required to win.

Thanks to Quote the Walls for sponsoring this fabulous contest!