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 studio. 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. Shopping for someone else? Our menorah gift guide walks through how to choose a menorah as a gift — by style, budget, and who you're buying for.
Our Favorite Menorahs for Hanukkah 2026
East of the Sun (Best Seller)
East of the Sun started with a simple idea: a menorah shouldn’t have to disappear when Hanukkah is over.
The long, low form follows a soft curve, with nine metal candle cups set along the line and the shamash raised at the center. The design stays quiet enough to let the wood do most of the work.
Walnut makes it darker and a little more dramatic. Cherry brings warmth. Maple lightens the whole piece. Mahogany adds richness, while oak puts more emphasis on the grain.
Each one is shaped, sanded, finished, and signed by Asha in our Alabama studio.
Why we like it: It feels unmistakably like a menorah during Hanukkah and still belongs in the room after the candles are put away.
Hey Jude – The Encore
Hey Jude begins with the burl.
Each menorah is built from solid hardwood, then wrapped in a carefully selected burl veneer chosen for its figure, tone, and movement. Walnut burl runs darker and more grounded. Pepperwood is livelier. Laurel is quieter. Carpathian elm brings the most dramatic figure.
Because burl veneers are cut in small sequential runs, two pieces from the same edition may feel related without ever looking exactly alike.
Nine candle cups follow the form, with the shamash raised at the center.
Why we like it: Hey Jude is for someone who wants the wood to be the first thing you notice.
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.
Why we like it: Piece of My Heart is the one series where we do not try to make the next menorah look like the last one. The wood decides too much for that.
Quantities are limited.
Shine a Light
Unapologetically modern.
Shine a Light is the simplest menorah in the collection, and that is exactly the point.
One long piece of solid hardwood. Nine candle cups. Clean beveled edges. Very little competing with the wood itself.
Padauk brings the red. Purpleheart gives it a deep violet tone. Ambrosia maple is lighter and more irregular, with streaks and natural variation running through the board. A limited walnut version is still available while the last piece lasts.
At approximately 16 inches long, the form stays low and linear, with brass or nickel cups and the shamash raised at the center.
Why we like it: Nothing is trying too hard. The wood, the line, and the candles are enough.
I’m Into Something Good
This one only gets made when the burl is worth using.
Each menorah is cut from one solid piece of Mappa burl, so the figure is not just on the surface. It runs through the wood. Some pieces show tight clusters of eyes. Others have knots, broad swirls, or quieter movement.
The form stays simple so the burl does not have to compete with much else.
Approximately 13 inches long and 3½ inches high, with nine polished brass cups and a satin lacquer finish. Each one is signed by Asha.
Why we like it: There is no substitute material waiting in the wings. If we do not find the right burl, we do not make one.
Staff Pick: Asha’s Favorite – Stand By Me
Stand By Me is built in three separate pieces.
Seven lights sit in the main hardwood block. The eighth stands on a smaller block of its own. The maple shamash rises above them, separate but still part of the same composition.
Nine solid copper cups are polished by hand and lacquered to help preserve their finish.
Set the three pieces close together or give them more room. Arranged as shown, the menorah measures about 18 inches long.
Why Asha likes it: The arrangement can change, but the structure never does. Eight lights and the shamash always remain clear.
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 one from hardwood and finish it by hand, with solid wood, burl, or figured veneer chosen to suit the design.
Menorah Trends for 2026
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.
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 2026 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 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.
FAQs
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.