Holiday on a Budget: Hanukkah

The Ancient Israelites' oil lasted eight days. But Hanukkah-themed items at your local store? Forget about it.

Finding menorahs, candles and dreidels at the last minute and on a budget can be difficult. So on behalf of Patch, I headed over to that reliable supplier of seasonal merchandise –  in Springfield – armed with a couple discount coupons and an eye for gelt, dreidels and other Hanukah tskotskes.

I wasn't disappointed by the selection. And the prices, while a little high, were made more palatable by using the coupons. The store also offered a wide selection of menorahs and other Hanukkah items that, while too high-priced for this feature, looked just terrific.

I noticed a perfect Hanukkah gift bag (marked down!) and cookies, gelt, toys and candles to fill it with, too. Here's the rundown:

• Window menorah circle: $2.99
• Beeswax candles: $9.99
• Gift bag: $1.49
• Dreidels: $3.99
• Gelt: $2.49
• Holiday towels: $7.99
• Boxed cookies: $1.79
• Sub-Total, No Coupons: $30.73
• Total, With Coupons: Using a $5-off coupon: $25.73. Using a 20-percent-off-the-most-expensive-item coupon: $28.75.