Add Some Funukkah to Hanukkah with Great Goodies

 

Now that the chaos of Black Friday is over with, we can officially welcome the winter holiday season in with open arms. First up, Hanukkah!

While I personally do not celebrate Hanukkah, I have many friends that rejoice in the beautiful candlelit nights. With our friends and their respective families celebrating winter holidays apart from Christmas, I’ve found that it can be difficult to explain the differences to young children. In recent years, Christmastime toys have helped to spark new family traditions and even turned into viral sensations (Elf on the Shelf, I’m looking at you) but for those children that do not celebrate Christmas, such items can leave kids feeling left out. Thankfully, someone caught on. Starting with a little bit of what they call “Elf Envy” from a then five-year-old, Neal Hoffman launched a Kickstarter campaign with the sole mission of adding some “Funukkah to Hanukkah.” That, he did.

Please allow me to introduce to you that ever so amazing idea of his – Mensch on a Bench!

Mensch on a Bench was created by a Jewish father who wanted to teach his sons about the Jewish holiday while adding new traditions to the family. First came the story of Moshe the Mensch who helped Judah Maccabee at the temple. Moshe played dreidel, loved gelt, and was a true Mensch. Next came the doll which could hold the Shamash candle and watch over the Menorah.

Having begun on Kickstarter, selling out of their initial release in a mere ten days, and then being followed up by an awe-inspiring story on television’s popular Shark Tank, Mensch on a Bench quickly became a household name. I was introduced to the Mensch on a Bench company last year when I was given the incredible opportunity to share it with all of you.

The adorable book and doll gift set featured on Eighty MPH Mom last holiday season was what kicked the company into high gear. Now free of their “Elf Envy,” Jewish families around the world now have a fun new tradition to add to their holiday officially putting the “funukkah” back into Hanukkah.

This year, they’ve taken the fun to a whole new level with the addition of some equally fabulous new products. Mensch on a Bench is no longer just a book and a doll; it truly has become a tradition and a modern day representation of Hanukkah. Along with good ol’ Mosche watching over everything from his sturdy little bench, kids can now enjoy a Plush Dreidel and a Plush Singing Menorah.

One of the most well-known Hanukkah traditions is the playing of the dreidel and, these days, that game goes far beyond the tiny wooden toys that you may envision.

Moshe’s soft new Dreidel is perfect for playtime! Instead of spinning a dreidel, you give this one a toss. In addition to the letters, Moshe’s expressions help children learn the meaning of each symbol.

With the all new Mensch on a Bench Plush Dreidel, children can now enjoy the traditional game in a whole new fashion. No longer being confined to the floor or tabletop, kids can toss the dreidel into the air and watch as it lands.

While the usual dreidels feature the letters alone, this Mensch on a Bench version accompanies the symbols with a coinciding expression from none other than Mosche the Mensch himself. Not only do his facial expressions lend to the kid-friendly and fun design of the dreidel itself but they help children to connect with and better understand the meaning of each of the depicted symbols.

 

Once you have the book, the doll, and the dreidel in hand, the only thing that you’re missing is the holiday’s famous menorah. Of course, the amazing team behind the Mensch on a Bench brand has that covered for you as well. And in their true fashion, they’ve taken it to the next level and then some!

Featuring all three Hanukkah prayers sung by kids for kids, children can truly take part in the celebration of the holiday.

Let your kids celebrate Hanukkah by lighting their very own Menorah this year! The popular and lovable Mensch on a Bench is back with the Mensch Menorah. Kids can now pretend to light their own candles while learning their prayers.

As they sing along to their favorite prayers, they can now light their very own menorah. With individual plush candles, one for each of the holiday’s eight nights and a ninth as the Shamash, kids are able to make this part of their own Hanukkah traditions.

Have your child “light” their little menorah alongside you and your family’s menorah each night. Together, you can squeeze the plush center and sing along to each of the prayers as you partake in the joys of the season and learn more about Hanukkah.

 

Much like the “Elf Envy” counterparts that sparked the idea for Mensch on a Bench, I love that these products give little ones the opportunity to take the lead where the winter holiday season is concerned. As parents, it is our job to not only educate our children about the traditions and meaning of the holiday but we have to find ways to make that process fun. For Hanukkah, Mensch on a Bench does just that.

Whether you’re looking for the latest and greatest Hanukkah goodies for your little ones to enjoy, you’re hoping to find new ways to share the holiday’s meaning with your children, you’re wanting to start new traditions that your family can enjoy for generations to come, or all three, Mensch on a Bench is for you.

Buy:
You can purchase the Mensch on a Bench Plush Dreidel and Plush Singing Menorah seen here along with the original doll and book direct from the company’s website as well as from a variety of retailers both online and in stores nationwide. Prices start at just $9.99.

Connect:
Be sure to keep up with Mensch on a Bench on their social media pages to stay up to date on all of the latest news, new product releases, sale pricing, giveaways, and so much more!

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Now, while many of you likely spent the past few days shopping, I’ve never really been one for the craziness of the post-Thanksgiving retail rush. Instead, I’m all about the giving and with tomorrow being Giving Tuesday, we’re hosting a “funukkah” Hanukkah flash giveaway for you!

THE GIVEAWAY
One (1) winner will receive the full Mensch on a Bench combo pack collection:

One (1) Mensch on a Bench 12” Doll & Book Gift Set
One (1) Mensch on a Bench Plush Dreidel
One (1) Mensch on a Bench Plush Singing Menorah

Giveaway open to US residents only. Ends 12/1/15. ARV of $60.

 

 

No purchase necessary. Open to residents of US only. Giveaway ends December 1st, 2015 at 11:59 p.m. (EST). ONE ENTRANT PER HOUSEHOLD/IP Address! I check all entries – cheating will not be tolerated. Winner will be notified via email and needs to reply within 24 hours, or a new winner will be chosen. Please make sure you check your spam folder – I will not be responsible if you did not receive winning email notification. Winners name(s) will be displayed on the post, and will also be posted on Winners List shortly after drawing has occurred. Winners will be chosen randomly by Giveaway Tools. Screenshots of winners available by request. Prize will be shipped directly from sponsor or their PR Agency unless otherwise noted. Eighty MPH Mom is not responsible for prizes lost in transit, although every attempt will be made for prize delivery.

**By entering this giveaway, you confirm that you have read and agree to my giveaway rules. Sponsor reserves the right to limit one prize per person/household (of this item/prize pack). Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery of prize {though it is usually much sooner}. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. We hereby release Facebook of any liability. Odds of winning: The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. All prizes will be awarded. Void where prohibited by law.