5 Incredible DIY Menorah Ideas to Brighten Your Hanukkah
5 Incredible DIY Menorah Ideas to Brighten Your Hanukkah
The festival of lights is right around the corner. What better way to celebrate than making your very own menorah. There are so many choices when it comes to making a menorah, and no matter the age, making hanukkah crafts together is a great way to get the whole family excited for the holidays!
Below you'll find 5 of my my all time favorite menorahs, but just know that you can make your own hanukkah menorah with some loose items from your junk drawer. Think outside the box and start saving those hex nuts - they are great for adding the Hanukkah candles to. Just note; you'll want to add one extra for the shamash candle holder - it should sit a little higher.
1. 3D White "Porcelain" Flower Menorah
I recently made this menorah and I am beyond excited about how it turned out! Here's what you will need to make this menorah:
Menorah mold: I made my own, but you can also get this mold on etsy.
Brea Reese Mix2Mold Ceramic Resin: I am obsessed with this product because it dries quickly and is so easy to use.
Mixing bowls and cups: I save my old yogurt containers and cool whip containers for this exact reason.
Popsicle sticks: I prefer to use these jumbo popsicle sticks
Dust mask: Use while measuring and mixing the Mix2Mold
Table covering
How to Make It:
Prepare your table to by laying down a table covering
Measure out the Mix2Mold Ceramic resin and place into a bowl. I started by mixing one cup of the dry powder and 6 tablespoons of the water. This is not enough material, so I recommend doubling or tripling the amount OR you can just add in layers which is what I do. Mix thoroughly until the lumps and bumps are no longer present. Mix2Mold dries and hardens quickly so be sure to have everything ready to go once the mixture is complete.
Carefully pour the Mix2Mold ceramic resin into the mold. You will want to tap the sides of the mold to release any bubbles. Keep tapping until you do not see any more bubbles rising to the top of your mold.
Let harden. While it begins to harden in about 30 minutes, I typically will wait a few hours before removing from the mold. This also will depend on the temperature and humidity in your work environment.
While you wait, mix up some more Mix2Mold and pour into flower molds. Make as many flowers as you can.
Carefully remove the menorah from the mold.
Next, mix up a small amount of Mix2Mold to use as glue. Using a popsicle stick, "butter" the backs of the flowers as well as the surface of the menorah. Place onto the menorah and press down. Continue until you are happy with the look and feel of your menorah. I also added the Mix2Mold to a mold that had branches to complete the look I was going for. I only created a cascade of flowers, but you can cover the entire menorah if you prefer.
Use some sand paper to remove any rough edges.
Add candles and enjoy!
2. Clay Donut Menorah
What supplies are needed to make a fake donut menorah?
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There are many ways to do this and I have tried a few. But for this tutorial you will need:
Acrylic paint in cream, yellow and white
Fake sprinkles (you can make them using polymer clay – video below) or purchase them online
I wrote a full blog post on how to make this specific menorah, so check it out if you want more step by step instructions on how to do this. This is definitely not a kid-friendly menorah project because kids will get frustrated. This is a kosher menorah with the middle candle height a bit higher. Feel free to make this in new ways; with larger rhinestones if you want it to go faster or with bright colors as an alternative. Be creative!
How to make the fake donuts:
1. Take a scoop of clay and make it into a ball. The ball should be around the size of a tennis ball or a bit smaller or bigger if that’s what you want for your fake food display.
In my class, I had the kids make mini donuts so that they would have more to decorate.
2. Make it as perfectly round as you can. Take your finger and push it all the way through the clay to make a hole. You can use a marker or a dowel rod if that is easier.
A clay menorah is perfect for those who enjoy working with their hands and want to create something that’s both functional and beautiful. Plus, you can make one that fits perfectly with your home decor! However, make sure to add metal to the middle of the donuts to make sure that you do not start a fire!
3. Rhinestone menorah
This rhinestone menorah was a major labor of love and I am so glad that I chose a mini menorah because this took forever.
Mini menorah
Glass Flatback Rhinestones or Clear European crystals
Table Covering
Alcohol Prep Pad or Rubbing Alcohol (I like to purchase a box of the single use packets in their own individual, original packaging).
Sandpaper
Bedazzling a DIY menorah with rhinestones is an exciting new way to celebrate the miracle of Hanukkah. If this is your first time using rhinestones, check out this post to get my beginner's guide to rhinestone projects.
Gently wipe down the menorah. You will want to make sure the menorah is clean and dust free. Some menorahs are made with soft metallics so just be gentle!
Do not wipe too hard, just enough to remove the factory finish. If this is your first time bedazzling, do not use a family heirloom with sentimental value. Obviously!Add your rhinestones onto a tray. Personally, I prefer to only work with one color at a time. I do, however, love using different sizes. I think this adds more interest and sparkle. This is called the scatter method.
Give the tray a slight shake to flip all of the rhinestones so that they are laying flat and ready to be picked up. You have complete creative freedom when it comes to the size and color of rhinestones you use.Using your toothpick, add a small amount of glue to the menorah base and spread it very thin. If your glue is too thick, your rhinestone will get covered in glue and will have a cloudy appearance.
To learn about the best glue options see this post.
I wrote a full blog post on how to make this specific menorah, so check it out if you want more step by step instructions on how to do this. This is definitely not a kid-friendly menorah project because kids will get frustrated. This is a kosher menorah with the middle candle height a bit higher. Feel free to make this in new ways; with larger rhinestones if you want it to go faster or with bright colors as an alternative. Be creative!
4. Dried Flower Menorah
A glass menorah offers a clean, modern look that still feels rooted in tradition. Glass is a versatile material that can be molded, etched, or painted to create a stunning work of art. Whether you go for a minimalist design or something more intricate, glass adds an elegant touch to your Hanukkah celebrations.
How to Make It:
If you're using glass jars or vases, choose clear or frosted glass for an understated look, or opt for colored glass for a vibrant feel.
Arrange the containers into a row on a sturdy base, such as a wooden tray or a thick piece of glass.
For added stability, you can glue the jars to the base, making sure to leave enough space between them to fit the candles.
For a more artistic approach, you can use glass etching cream to create intricate designs or symbols on the surface.
If you want to add more color, consider painting the base or surrounding area with Hanukkah-themed designs.
A glass menorah is sophisticated and customizable, allowing you to incorporate both traditional and contemporary design elements. It’s also an ideal choice for those who enjoy a bit of DIY glass artistry.
5. Glass Marble Menorah
What You’ll Need to Make a Glass Marble Menorah
- Foam Block (You could also use a wood block, but foam is more kid-friendly)
- Foam Brush
- Colorful Napkins or Thin Wrapping Paper
- Hex Nuts
- Glass Gems
- Mod Podge
- Wax Candles
- Scissors
- Tacky Glue
- Table Covering
How to Make Your Own DIY Menorah
1. Rip or cut up napkins into strips.
Colorful cocktail napkins or very thin wrapping paper are a great option for this. Tiny hands might have trouble ripping the material. You could cut it as well.
2. Add a thin layer of glue to the foam block.
3. Place a strip onto the glue and smooth completely. Continue until the foam block is covered on all sides. This will be your menorah base, so make sure the bottom is a flat surface.
This is really where you can let your creativity shine! Use a variety of colors and patterns to make a unique DIY menorah. Layer the napkins in straight lines or go for a more abstract look. Another option would be to use spray paint or acrylic paints to cover the foam block.
4. Add a thin layer of Mod Podge onto the covered block. This will seal the napkins and will prevent fading. Let dry (Mod Podge dries quickly).
5. Once dry, add two layers of heat resistant clear spray. If you do not add the spray, your hanukiah can be flammable.
6. The hex nuts will be your candle holders. Place the template onto the top of the block and make a small marking inside each small hole to show where each nut will go.
7. Glue down each hex nut. Be sure to use two nuts for the Shamash candle holder to make a kosher Menorah. Remember, the helper candle is used to light the others and should be a taller candle.
I recommend using tacky glue for this step instead of glue sticks or white glue. A hot glue gun would also work, with adult supervision of course!
8. Begin to glue the glass marbles onto the foam block. Do one side at a time and let dry.
Make sure to use the tacky glue for this, not hot glue as you can see through the marbles.
9. Add Hannukah candles and enjoy! Make sure to check the candle size will work with the nuts.
**IMPORTANT: without the heat spray, your menorah can be flammable. If you do not do step 5, be sure to wrap the entire menorah in tin foil before lighting.
How to Use Your DIY Menorah
Now that you've made a beautiful family keepsake, you can use it year after year during the holiday season. Display your unique DIY menorah as a table centerpiece or let your kids display their homemade Hanukkah decorations in their room.
We had a great time making this homemade menorah at my house last year, and its one of my favorite DIY projects and holiday craft ideas because of the memories made!
My favorite part of this project is that you can do it with anyone, not just with your Jewish friends. It's a great weekend project for everyone to learn about Hanukkah!
Want to do more Hanukkah Crafts? Check out this post with 30+ Judaica Crafts!
