Hanukkah is the Jewish Festival of Light (sometimes spelt Chanukah). Celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods. The Hebrew word Chanukah means “dedication,” and it was named because it celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple, Also spelled Hanukkah (or variations of that spelling). 

In the second century BCE Israel was rulled by the Seleucids, who were Syrian-Greeks) and they wanted the local inhabitants to adopt Greek culture and their beliefs. This mean’t letting go of their belief in the one God. A small band of faithful Jews overcame on of the mightiest armies of the time and recaptured Jerusalem and rededicated the Temple and restored the Menorah which is a candelabrum with branches for each night and a Jewish holy relic, the original of which has been lost to time.  

The miracle of Chanukkah is that only one vial of sacred oil with just enough oil for one day was found and yet it lasted for eight full days. The heart of the festival is the nightly lighting of the candle. Each evening one of 8 candles is lit from the central ninth candle. Spiritual readings and songs are performed, gifts are exchanged. Hanukkah this year (2020) ends on 18th December.

Since the miracle of the sacred oil it has been customary to eat fried foods during Chanukkah such as Latke (potato pancakes and Sufganya (jam doughnuts).

Traditionally, gifts were not a part of Hanukkah

Instead "gelt" being a small amount of money or chocolate coins were given to children. In more recent times 8 small gifts are given to close family. One on each day.