Vintage Hanukkah Decorations DIY: 13 Easy Ideas

Hanukkah is the Festival of Lights. It is a time for family, food and warm memories. A vintage look fits this holiday well. Soft blues, old silver and warm gold make a home feel cozy and loved.

In this post, you will find 13 easy vintage Hanukkah decorations you can make yourself. Some use thrifted items. Others use paper, fabric and paint to give new things an old look. Each idea has a short supply list and simple steps.

Pick two or three ideas to start. Mix them for a soft, antique style.

Before You Start

• A Hanukkah menorah has 9 branches. There are 8 for the 8 nights and 1 helper candle, called the shamash.
• A dreidel has four Hebrew letters: Nun, Gimel, Hei and Shin. In Israel, the last letter is Pe.
• Classic vintage colors are dusty blue, cream, antique silver and soft gold.
• Make the decor for joy and warmth. Do not use real candles or flames on any craft.
• Old items from thrift shops can have chipped paint, cracks or lead paint. Use them for display only. Keep them away from young children and do not use them for food.

Basic Supplies to Keep on Hand

• Cream, white and blue paper and cardstock
• Black tea bags and a shallow tray
• Craft glue and a hot glue gun (adult use only)
• Blue, silver and gold acrylic paint
• Lace, doilies, ribbon and fabric scraps
• Battery LED tea lights and warm white LED string lights
• Twine, string and clothespins
• Soft cloths and sponges
• Old picture frames, jars and books from a thrift shop

Vintage Hanukkah Decorations DIY: 13 Ideas to Make

1. Tea-Stained Paper Star Garland

You need: White paper, black tea, a tray, a star template, scissors, twine.

1. Brew 2 cups of strong black tea. Let it cool fully.
2. Pour the tea into a shallow tray. Dip each sheet of paper for a few seconds.
3. Lay the paper flat on a towel. Let it air dry. Press it flat under a book if it curls.
4. Cut out six-point stars or simple stars.
5. Tie the stars to a long piece of twine with small knots or glue.
6. Hang the garland across a mantel or window.

2. Vintage Doily Stars of David

You need: Paper doilies, cardstock, blue paint, white glue, scissors.

1. Trace a six-point star on cardstock. Cut it out.
2. Cut a doily to fit the star. Glue it on top.
3. Lightly dab blue paint over the doily with a sponge. Let some white show through.
4. Add a loop of ribbon at the top.
5. Hang the stars on a window or a branch.

Best for ages 6 and up. Younger children can sponge on the paint.

3. DIY Mercury Glass Votive Holders

You need: Clear glass jars or votive holders, mirror-effect spray paint (or silver paint and a spray bottle of water and vinegar), paper towels, battery LED tea lights.

1. An adult works outside or in a very well ventilated room.
2. Spray a light mist of water and vinegar inside the jar.
3. Spray a very light coat of silver mirror paint inside the jar. Let it dry for 10 minutes.
4. Repeat 2 or 3 times for a spotty, aged look.
5. Let it dry fully. Place a battery LED tea light inside.

An adult should handle spray paint and glass. Use LED lights only.

4. Thrifted Brass Menorah Makeover

You need: An old brass or silver-plated menorah, warm soapy water, a soft cloth, metal polish, a toothbrush.

1. Wash the menorah in warm soapy water. Dry it well.
2. Rub gently with metal polish. Use a toothbrush for small details.
3. Wipe off the polish with a clean cloth.
4. Leave a little darkness in the corners for an antique look.
5. Display it on a mantel or shelf.

An adult should do the polishing and lighting. A real menorah is for adults to light with care. Keep it away from paper, fabric and kids.

5. Old Book Page Dreidel Garland

You need: Old book pages (from a discarded book), a dreidel template, scissors, glue, twine.

1. Cut dreidel shapes from the old pages.
2. Fold each one in half so the garland hangs nicely, or glue two pages back to back.
3. Brush the edges with a little tea or brown paint for an aged look.
4. Glue the dreidels to a long piece of twine.
5. Hang it on a shelf or over a window.

6. Vintage Postcard-Style Hanukkah Cards

You need: Cream cardstock, a pencil, watercolor paint or markers, a fine pen, clothespins, twine.

1. Cut cardstock to postcard size (4 by 6 inches).
2. Paint a simple scene, like a menorah, a dreidel or a star.
3. Add a soft border with a fine pen.
4. Tea-stain the edges for an old look.
5. Clip the cards to twine with clothespins. Hang them in a row.

7. Embroidery Hoop Menorah Art

You need: A wooden embroidery hoop, cream fabric, blue and gold fabric scraps, fabric glue, scissors.

1. Place the cream fabric in the hoop. Pull it tight.
2. Cut a menorah shape with 9 branches from blue fabric.
3. Glue it to the middle of the cream fabric.
4. Cut 9 small flames from gold fabric. Glue one above each branch.
5. Trim the extra fabric on the back. Hang the hoop on a wall.

8. Aged Gold Coin Garland

You need: Gold cardstock, a round cup to trace, brown paint, a dry sponge, glue, string.

1. Trace and cut 18 circles from gold cardstock.
2. Dab a little brown paint on a dry sponge. Lightly sponge over the edges.
3. Let the paint dry.
4. Glue the coins to a long string, spaced a few inches apart.
5. Hang across a mantel or a dessert table.

This is a gentle nod to chocolate gelt. Paper coins are allergy friendly.

9. Lace Wrapped Jar Lanterns

You need: Glass or plastic jars, white or cream lace, blue ribbon, glue, battery LED tea lights.

1. Wash and dry the jars.
2. Cut lace to fit around each jar. Glue it in place.
3. Tie blue ribbon around the top.
4. Place a battery LED tea light inside.
5. Set the jars on a table, a shelf or a window sill.

10. Antiqued Wooden Dreidels

You need: Small unfinished wooden dreidels or wooden toy tops, blue and cream paint, brown wax or a little brown paint, sandpaper, a soft cloth.

1. Paint the dreidels dusty blue or cream. Let them dry.
2. Paint one Hebrew letter on each side: Nun, Gimel, Hei, Shin. Use a small brush.
3. Lightly sand the edges to show the wood.
4. Rub a little brown wax or watered-down brown paint over the dreidel. Wipe off the extra with a soft cloth.
5. Display them in a bowl or on a shelf.

11. Vintage Frame Hanukkah Gallery

You need: 3 to 5 old picture frames (different sizes), blue and cream paper, a paint pen, painter’s tape.

1. Clean the frames. Paint them cream or silver if you like.
2. Make simple art for each frame. Try a paper menorah, a dreidel, a star and a family photo.
3. Place the art in the frames.
4. Arrange the frames on a wall or lean them on a shelf.
5. Mix the sizes for a collected look.

12. Blue Velvet Ribbon Wreath

You need: A wire or grapevine wreath, blue velvet ribbon, silver ribbon, a few paper stars, hot glue.

1. Wrap the wreath loosely in blue velvet ribbon. Use dabs of hot glue to hold it.
2. Tie a big bow from the same ribbon.
3. Glue the bow at the bottom of the wreath.
4. Glue a few paper stars around the wreath.
5. Hang it on a door or wall.

An adult handles the hot glue.

13. Salt Dough Dreidel Ornaments

You need: 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt, 1/2 cup water, a rolling pin, a dreidel cookie cutter, a straw, paint, ribbon.

1. Heat the oven to 250°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Mix the flour, salt and water into a dough.
3. Roll it out to about 1/4 inch thick. Cut out dreidel shapes.
4. Poke a hole in the top with a straw.
5. Bake for 2 to 3 hours until dry and hard. Let them cool.
6. Paint them cream, blue or gold. Rub on a little brown paint for an aged look. Wipe it off.
7. Add ribbon through the hole and hang.

An adult handles the oven. These are decorations, not food. Do not eat salt dough.

Tips for a Vintage Look

• Pick a soft palette: dusty blue, cream, silver and gold.
• Use warm white lights, not bright white. They look softer.
• Mix old and new items. Thrifted frames and jars add charm.
• Add texture with lace, burlap, velvet and linen.
• Repeat stars and dreidels in a few spots.
• Do not make it perfect. A little wear is part of the look.
• Use painter’s tape or removable hooks to protect your walls.

Age Guidance

• Ages 4 to 6: Tea staining paper, sponging paint, gluing big shapes.
• Ages 7 to 10: Cutting stars and dreidels, making garlands, painting small items.
• Ages 11 and up: Making cards, embroidery hoop art, frames and ornaments with little help.

Always supervise young children during craft time.

Safety Notes

• An adult should handle hot glue guns, spray paint, craft knives, glass and the oven.
• Use battery LED candles only. Never use real candles or flames near paper, fabric or decor.
• Use non-toxic paint and glue.
• Spray paint outside or in a very well ventilated room.
• Do not use old thrifted items for food or drink. They can have lead paint or chips.
• Keep small items such as buttons and beads away from young children.
• Keep cords and string lights away from walkways and curtains.
• Keep a real menorah away from paper, lace and fabric. An adult should light and watch it.

Plan Ahead and Make-Ahead Guide

• 3 to 4 weeks before: Shop thrift stores for frames, jars and menorahs.
• 2 weeks before: Tea-stain paper. Let it dry. Bake the salt dough dreidels.
• 1 week before: Make the garlands, cards and hoop art. Paint the dreidels.
• 2 to 3 days before: Make the jar lanterns and the wreath.
• 1 day before: Hang everything and set up the LED lights.
• After the holiday: Store paper pieces flat in a box. Wrap the jars and ornaments in tissue paper.

FAQ

What colors look vintage for Hanukkah?
Dusty blue, cream, antique silver and soft gold look warm and old fashioned.

How do I make paper look old?
Dip it in cooled black tea. Let it dry flat. Brush the edges with a little brown paint for more age.

Where can I find vintage items?
Try thrift stores, yard sales and flea markets. Look for frames, jars, lace and brass items.

Can I use real candles on these crafts?
No. Use battery LED candles on all crafts and displays.

Is it safe to use old items with kids?
Use them for display only. Old paint and glass can be unsafe.

How long does Hanukkah last?
Hanukkah lasts 8 nights. The dates change every year.

Final Thoughts

Vintage Hanukkah decorations DIY projects bring warmth, light and memory to your home. Start with a tea-stained star garland or a mercury glass votive. Add one or two thrifted pieces. Keep it simple, safe and kind, and your home will glow all eight nights.