How many candles do I need for Hanukkah?

44 for the full eight nights, including the shamash each night. Buy a spare box — it’s the first item on the list for a reason.

Which order do you light Hanukkah candles?

Place candles right to left, light them left to right, newest first. The each-night section repeats it so nobody has to look it up on night three.

Checklists › Hanukkah Checklist

🕎

Hanukkah Checklist

Eight nights, one menorah and a lot of frying. This Hanukkah checklist covers the candles, the gifts by night, the food and the hosting — reusable every year.

Open in Checklist: Reusable Lists — save & reuse

Free · no account · works offline · 27 items

Download on theApp Store

Before the First Night

Menorah cleaned & ready
44 candles (plus spares)
Matches or lighter
Gifts planned for each night
Gelt & dreidels
Wrapping paper & tags
Send invites for any hosting nights

Food

Potatoes, onions & oil for latkes
Sour cream & applesauce
Sufganiyot (make or order)
Brisket or a main for a hosting night
Challah
Kid-friendly snacks
Extra oil — you will run out

Each Night

Add the night’s candle, right to left
Light left to right
Blessings
Songs
Gift for the night
Dreidel game
Photo of the menorah

Hosting

Table set
Menorah placed safely (window, away from curtains)
Fire-safe surface under the menorah
Music playlist
Games for kids
To-go containers for latkes

Save this list to reuse it forever

FAQ

How many candles do I need for Hanukkah?: 44 for the full eight nights, including the shamash each night. Buy a spare box — it’s the first item on the list for a reason.
Which order do you light Hanukkah candles?: Place candles right to left, light them left to right, newest first. The each-night section repeats it so nobody has to look it up on night three.

Hanukkah Checklist

Before the First Night

Food

Each Night

Hosting

FAQ

More checklists