Hanukkah, Jews know, isn’t a major holiday compared to Yom Kippur or Rosh Hashanah. But that doesn’t mean it’s not important to children or fun for adults, who long for a joyful, guilt-free holiday after the emotionally draining High Holy Days.

Of course, if you, like me, spend the weeks leading up to the Festival of Lights frantically trying to stay on top of your work, feed your family, clean the house, and make time for the people who matter, the mere idea of all those Hanukkah preparations—the gifts, the food, the decorations, the party planning—can divest the holiday of its luster before the first candle is even lit on December 25, allowing you to forget that, contrary to what Hallmark wants you to believe, Hanukkah is supposed to be about having fun and spending time with friends and family. Whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer, or a “can’t doer” who prefers to have someone else do the dirty work, there are many creative, fun ways for you to celebrate the Festival of Lights with those you love.

If you long to be the next Chagall, for instance, set aside an afternoon to share your love of painting with friends or family of any age. Take them to Different Strokes in Williamsville (5471 Sheridan Drive, 716-632-1900) and paint a menorah, or even a latke plate, together (or let them make their own). Regardless of how many they already have, they certainly don’t have one like this one —and they can use it for years to come. Perhaps the even better news is that Different Strokes’ studio fee is just $1 all day, every day until December 31, which makes this gift both pleasurable and easy on your wallet.

Once you’ve warmed up your paintbrush at Different Strokes, head home to paint some delectable Hanukkah sugar cookies. Whether you use grandma’s recipe and use Hanukkah-shaped cookie cutters, or prefer Pillsbury Slice n’ Bake cookies, you and yours can become the envy of Martha Stewart—and have fun in the process.

Just mix an egg yolk with a few drops of food coloring for each hue you want to use (in different bowls, of course), and paint the cookies using a cheap paintbrush like you find on the school supplies aisle at your local market before baking them. (Be sure to rinse your brush with water between colors to ensure the colors appear as brilliant as possible and to minimize the tears of unsatisfied kids.)

When the cookies are cool, wrap them in blue cellophane and tie a big silver bow around them. Get the kids to help wrap and distribute them to friends and family so they learn the importance of giving early.

Or, if you prefer to make and give a slightly healthier Hanukkah treat, consider making applesauce to complement the oodles of oil that typify the holiday (recipe follows).

Of course, not everyone has that “can do” attitude when it comes to making Hanukkah special. With several local events scheduled in the next ten days, the perfect—and perfectly stress-free—Hanukkah celebration is beckoning you, without so much as requiring you to soil your hands or go to the grocery:

Hanukkah Bazaar at Temple Beth El (2368 Eggert Road, Tonawanda, 836-3762)

Between the gift-wrap, the decorations, gelt and dreidels, cookbooks and music, and gifts for everyone ranging from your easy-to-please three-year-old son to your impossible-to-shop-for mother-in-law, shopping may be the most intimidating aspect of Hanukkah. But this year, Temple Beth El promises a miracle almost as great as that bottle of oil lasting for eight days thousands of years ago: On Sunday, December 18, from 9am to 12:15pm, you can do all of your Hanukkah shopping in one place before heading home to wrap all of those presents in the shiny Hanukkah paper you just purchased.

No need to fret if you’re already booked for December 18, though. Just call Bobbie Mednick (634-1167) or Bobbie DeBruin (688-7482) to schedule a shopping time that fits into your schedule.

Pre-Hanukkah Mommy & Me at the Jewish Discovery Center (757 Hopkins Road, Williamsville, 639-7600)

With Hanukkah coinciding with Christmas, it’s all too easy for little ones to assume that Hanukkah is just about the presents. Why not give them a taste of their culture before they even start unwrapping? On Tuesday, December 20, children ages three and four (and their moms) can cook their own latkes and jelly donuts and make their own dreidels and menorahs at the JDC from 10:30 to noon. Their younger siblings, ages one and two, need not be jealous because on Wednesday, December 21, they can command Mom’s attention from 10:30 to noon and make their own Hanukkah treats, menorahs, and dreidels.

Hanukkah Family Dinner at the Jewish Discovery Center (757 Hopkins Road,

Williamsville, 639-7600)

With December 25th marking the first night of Hanukkah this year, we’ve finally got a good excuse (save for going to see the latest over-hyped film) to get out of the house on Christmas day: the Jewish Discovery Center’s annual Hanukkah party. Regardless of whether you’re a member of a local synagogue, a devout Jew or more of a social Jew, you’re invited to help kick off Hanukkah by singing some traditional songs, stuffing your face with latkes and a host of other Hanukkah delicacies, lighting the first candle, and even making your own menorah. The festivities begin promptly at 4pm and last on into the evening. For more information, visit: www.jewishtomorrow.com.

Hanukkah Applesauce

6 peeled, cored and quartered apples of various varieties

1 cup of apple juice

2 tablespoons of butter

3 tablespoons of honey

1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

2 tablespoons of cognac or brandy

Combine all ingredients in a sealable, microwave-safe container. Close the lid, leaving one corner open to allow steam to escape, and microwave on high for 10 minutes. After removing the container from the microwave, pour the contents into a blender and puree until you’ve reached the perfect consistency. You can serve the applesauce immediately over latkes, or chill it in a jar.