There is plenty that is special about Hanukkah and all that it represents, but this year the atmosphere is different. Even though celebrations are being pared down to prevent the virus from spreading, the lighting of holiday candles is still beautifully symbolic of so many different things.

Honouring Hanukkah is a significant way to celebrate resilience, faith, and finding the light within the darkness. 2020 has shown us all the value of these attributes. Let’s embrace this wonderful spirit of unison and love and celebrate the positive news about vaccines, which is a flicker of light in a year which has been filled with darkness. To protect the vulnerable, we will be marking the holiday in a more contained way, out with the big gatherings, kisses and hugs, and in with Zoom celebrations. This Hanukkah is different, but the light will still get in.

To create some semblance of Hanukkah spirit, families are redefining traditions and rituals that they might not ordinarily think of changing. One tradition that never gets old is Hanukkah Gelt. The origins of Hanukkah Gelt are found in the shtetls of Eastern Europe where gelt was an end-of-the-year tip for workers. Rael Demby CEO of The South African Gold Coin Exchange & The Scoin Shop says “Interestingly, by the end of the 19th century, you see, the custom switch from giving tips to these guys to giving a little gift to children.”

Hanukkah starts on the night of Thursday 10th December, and the flickering candles won't be the only things shining on the table. Nowadays many families celebrate with gelt chocolate coins covered in gold and silver foil. But while this treat is beloved and echoes the past, 2020 could be the time to adopt a new tradition of gold coins and collectables. "Hanukkah gelt has morphed into chocolate coins. This could easily be adapted back to the original meaning of gold coins. The focus could shift from gift-giving to incremental saving by way of gold. Hanukkah gelt is an opportunity to educate children about the importance of saving. A child receiving a physical gold coin is getting a holiday bonanza” adds Demby.

2020 has changed just about everything. Why not start a new family tradition and add a 1/10 Krugerrand to the pile of chocolate Hanukkah Gelt and some lucky youngster will win the jackpot. Gold coins and collectables offer a safe store of value, are a currency hedge, combat inflationary concerns and are moveable. “A commitment to incremental investment in gold is a positive habit to create, and it is never too soon to get started. Generous relatives are onto a good thing with gold coins and collectables,” concludes Demby.

Adopting new traditions and connecting them to the past is part of the larger story of belonging, and ritual, and nostalgia. No matter how you choose to celebrate this holiday season, why not inspire a lifelong passion for gold bullion and numismatics.