Key Takeaways
Asha’s 2026 guide to the best handmade menorahs for Hanukkah including her personal favorite
Why limited-edition woods like mappa burl, padauk, and pepperwood make each piece unique
How design choices like modular formats, wide bases, and material selection impact safety and style
2026 trends: Neo Deco revivals, modern minimalist silhouettes, and eco-conscious holiday décor
Tips for pairing your menorah with the right candles and why handmade matters more than ever
Asha Louise
Asha is the co-founder and principal home décor designer at Dovetails and Stitches. She designs the studio’s modern wooden menorahs and handcrafted home accessories, with a focus on proportion, material selection, and understated form. Asha writes about modern design, materials, and craftsmanship, exploring how traditional techniques translate into contemporary home décor. Learn more about her work on our Meet the Makers page.
Best Menorahs for Hanukkah 2026
Looking for a menorah that’s anything but ordinary? You’re in the right place. Whether you’re buying your first menorah or adding a new piece to your family’s celebration, we’ve gathered our most-loved designs to help you find the one that feels just right.
Below, you’ll find our top picks for 2026, each handcrafted in our small family workshop. Some are traditional, others more modern. Some are one-of-a-kind. All are made to last.
This roundup features our favorite handcrafted menorahs for Hanukkah 2026. You can also explore our full collection of unique wooden menorahs here.
Our Favorite Menorahs for Hanukkah 2025
East of the Sun (Best Seller)
Our bestselling menorah and a favorite for good reason. East of the Sun is handcrafted from solid walnut in our family workshop. Its clean silhouette and gently tapered profile allow the grain to shine. This menorah holds nine Hanukkah candles, including the shamash (helper candle), in a classic arrangement. The design features elegant lines with heirloom craftsmanship, making it an ideal Hanukkah centerpiece or wedding gift.
East of the Sun is not a limited edition and is available year-round. It is the winner of our ‘Best Menorahs for Hanukkah 2025’ list and remains our most popular menorah of all time. Minimal, musical, and quietly beautiful East of the Sun is our staff’s top recommendation for Hanukkah gifts that double as stylish centerpieces and works of art.
Hey Jude – The Encore
A limited-edition menorah veneered in rare burl. Each Hey Jude menorah is crafted with premium burl veneer over solid hardwood. Every piece is completely unique, with organic swirls and movement in the grain that feel like a melody frozen in wood. Hey Jude – The Encore holds nine Hanukkah candles, with polished metal candle cups for a glass-smooth finish. It’s part sculpture, part ritual, all heart.
The original Hey Jude design debuted in solid mappa burl; only two were made in 2024. Due to its popularity and rarity, we introduced The Encore version for 2025, crafted with Carpathian Elm, Pepperwood, Walnut, and Laurel burl veneers. Hey Jude – The Encore is a limited edition, made in small batches for 2025. This is a truly art-forward piece, perfect for collectors and those who value expressive Jewish holiday décor.
Piece of My Heart
A sculptural menorah series that’s anything but uniform. Each Piece of My Heart menorah is handcrafted from solid walnut and rare Mappa burl. The final form is guided by the wood itself, resulting in a menorah where no two are alike. Every menorah in this series holds nine Hanukkah candles, blending traditional function with expressive form.
Some pieces feature a raw, live edge where burl meets base. Others explore asymmetry through bold offset joinery. A few present a more symmetrical design, letting the contrast speak quietly for itself. Piece of My Heart menorahs are made in very limited quantities, with each one signed by the maker. All share the same warmth, artistry, and intention.
These menorahs are expressive and grounded—made for those who value beauty, originality, and lasting tradition.
Quantities are limited.
Shine a Light
Bold. Unapologetically modern.
Shine a Light is a celebration of form and color, crafted in a range of hardwoods that are anything but ordinary. Each Shine a Light menorah is handmade and holds nine Hanukkah candles in a clean, low-profile silhouette. The version shown here is made from padauk, a striking red wood that practically glows. But that’s just the beginning. This menorah is also available in purpleheart, ambrosia maple, coffeewood, cherry, walnut, and maple. Each variation brings a different mood to the same mid-century inspired design.
The design itself draws inspiration from mid-century minimalism, but the material makes it sing, letting the natural grain and color tell its own story.
If you’re looking for a menorah that stops people in their tracks, this one does it quietly, without ever raising its voice.
I’m Into Something Good
Just like the song says, “woke up this morning, feeling fine”, because this menorah is truly something good. Each I’m Into Something Good menorah is handcrafted from solid mappa burl, making every piece a natural original with swirling grain and warm golden tones. Some show clusters of eyes, others feature bold knots or flowing patterns, no two are ever the same.
This menorah measures approximately 13 inches long and 3½ inches tall, designed to fit beautifully on a shelf, console, or windowsill. The form is clean and contemporary, allowing the wood’s natural voice to take center stage. It’s a playful and luminous piece—easy to style, hard to forget.
Each menorah is fitted with brass candle cups and signed by Asha. Quantities are very limited.
Staff Pick: Asha’s Favorite – Stand By Me
Asha’s go-to piece of the year. Stand By Me is crafted from richly toned walnut or cherry and paired with a maple shamash for contrast. This menorah brings a warm, modern presence to the holiday table. It’s steady, soulful, and full of potential, perfect for families just beginning their traditions or for anyone wanting something new.
Stand By Me is made in three individual pieces that can be grouped together or spaced out across a table or mantel. Slide the shamash slightly forward, push the pieces close together for symmetry, or give them room to breathe, each arrangement brings a different energy to the celebration.
Each Stand By Me menorah features lacquered copper candle cups and is available in both walnut/maple and cherry/maple combinations.
How to Choose the Right Menorah for You
There’s no single “best” menorah—only the one that fits your space, tradition, and style. When deciding:
Material matters : Solid wood brings warmth and age; glass reflects the light beautifully; metal adds a modern edge.
Safety counts : If you have small children or pets, consider a wider base or LED options.
Think heirloom : Choose something meaningful enough to pass down. Hanukkah is about tradition, and your menorah should reflect that.
We build each of ours from solid wood and finish them by hand—because these aren’t just for eight nights. They’re for years.
Menorah Trends for 2025
Personalized Menorahs
Custom engraving and modular layouts are gaining popularity with families marking names, dates, or dedications. A personalized piece can become a meaningful part of your holiday story.
Modern & Minimalist Styles
Clean lines, geometric forms, and raw natural materials are on trend—especially in smaller homes and apartments. If you love a sleek, stylish menorah that blends into your home décor, this is your year.
Art Deco Inspired
We’re seeing a comeback of vintage flair: brass details, stepped bases, and rich wood tones nodding to Jewish design history. Art Deco menorahs feel especially at home during Hanukkah, balancing heritage with a touch of glamour.
Glass Menorahs
Luminous, delicate, and often sculptural—glass menorah designs are being embraced as both ritual objects and year-round décor. If you love light, you’ll love how these catch it. These stylish menorahs are also popular holiday gifts for those who appreciate artistic detail.
LED Menorahs
Travel-ready and safe for apartment dwellers or families with kids. While we love flame, we respect function too. LED options are a growing favorite for modern homes.
Traditional Hanukkah Menorahs
For many families, sticking with a timeless, familiar silhouette is the best way to celebrate. Traditional Hanukkah menorahs honor centuries of practice while embracing craftsmanship and warmth.
Eco-Conscious Designs
Sustainability matters—think reclaimed wood, low-VOC finishes, and local sourcing. All of our menorahs are crafted with these values in mind, making them ideal gifts for the eco-minded.
What Makes a Great Menorah?
The best menorahs for 2025 will combine form and function—designed to safely hold your Hanukkah candles while also fitting seamlessly into your home and traditions. A great menorah is:
Well-balanced and stable
Easy to clean
Made of durable, fire-safe materials
Beautiful enough to display year-round
Hanukkah Menorahs as Gifts
Every year, a remarkable number of menorahs head out from our studio not to their buyers, but to someone special in their lives.
Parents gifting a child’s first menorah. Friends sending long-distance love. Grandparents passing along tradition. These pieces are chosen with intention and sent with care.
We take pride in knowing our menorahs are part of so many family stories—and honored each time one is given as a gift.
Because these aren’t just objects—they’re part of someone’s story.
Holiday Decorations That Last
From handmade menorahs to wooden dreidels and modern candleholders, thoughtful holiday decorations can last for generations. We encourage choosing pieces with character and craftsmanship—things that feel more like art than mass-produced clutter.
Why Handmade Still Matters
Each menorah we create begins with hand-selected wood, shaped and finished in our small family workshop. Nothing is outsourced or mass-produced. These menorahs carry with them the marks of the maker: a hand-rubbed oil finish, a carefully balanced profile, a whisper of intention.
In a world of fast, we build slow.
Hanukkah Candles: Choosing the Right Set
Pairing your menorah with the right Hanukkah candles enhances both the ritual and the atmosphere. Here’s what to consider:
Beeswax vs. Paraffin : Beeswax offers a natural scent and clean burn; paraffin is widely available in more colors.
Standard or hand-dipped : Hand-dipped candles add an artisan touch to your lighting ceremony.
Color coordination : Choose candle colors that complement your menorah or décor—blues, whites, and golds are classics.
Burn time : Look for candles with a minimum burn time of 30–60 minutes.
Whether you light with kids, friends, or solo, the right candles make your Hanukkah celebration glow.
Summary
How many menorahs do I need?
One is enough. But many families enjoy adding to their collection over time—one for the kids, one for travel, or one for the table centerpiece, one for the mantel, etc..
Can I order a menorah as a gift?
Absolutely. Let us know at checkout and we’ll include a handwritten note and keep the receipt out of the box.
Do your menorahs come with candles?
We don’t include candles, but we’re happy to recommend some of our favorite artisan-made options.
Are these menorahs safe to use with real flames?
Yes. We test every design for stability, heat resistance, and finish durability. But, please, never leave burning candles unattended.
What if the menorah I want is sold out?
Some of our designs are limited editions. If you see one you love, don’t wait. You can also join our list to be notified of new releases. Send us an email and we will see what we can do.
Can I customize a menorah?
Yes, many of our designs allow you to choose your candle cups, and we also accept a small number of custom commissions each season. If you have something special in mind, reach out and we’ll see what we can create together.
Whether you light candles surrounded by generations or in a first apartment far from home, we hope your menorah brings beauty, memory, and meaning to the Festival of Lights. And if one of ours can be part of that? We’d be honored.