When Hanukka came to Calcutta, India, where I was born, we didn't spin dreidels, fry latkes, eat jelly donuts, unwrap chocolate gelt, or choose from a rainbow-colored array of candles. We didn't even get presents.

It's not that the Jewish community of Calcutta was deprived. We just didn't have those customs, many of which stemmed from Eastern Europe and were carried to America with waves of Jewish immigrants. We did, of course, light our version of a hanukkiah: brass menorahs mounted on the wall, fitted with nine glasses of olive oil and floating wicks. And, living in harmony with our Hindu and Moslem neighbors for centuries, we focused on the message of religious tolerance.

The values inherent in the Hanukka story are strong, thought-provoking and inspirational. How can we as parents not be excited about transmitting the values of freedom, conviction, dedication, hope, miracles, continuity, peace, rebuilding, community, family? But for children, all that pales in comparison to the holiday's commercialization. Few would dream of giving up presents.

Whatever your Hanukka traditions, keep them. Children--and adults--look forward to familiar customs: the same latke recipe; the same spot for the hanukkiah; the same songs. Still, broadening your celebration to incorporate one or two new customs that fit into the spirit of the holiday (read: no Hanukka bushes) can infuse it with a renewed sense of joy and creativity.

The multiple nights of Hanukka offer perfect opportunities for varying and deepening an understanding of the holiday. Focus each night on a different value, match it with a family project and even create a gift around that theme. Here are ideas to make each night special.

First night: Freedom. The Maccabees fought for freedom of religion and national ndependence.
Project: Make a list of people who are still struggling to live in freedom. How can we help them?
Gift: A biography of someone who fought to free themselves, others or entire nations, like Martin Luther King, Harriet Tubman, Mahatma Gandhi, Golda Meir, Anne Frank, Yoni Netanyahu (commander of the Israeli raid on Entebbe).

Second night: Giving. We give Hanukka gelt in commemoration of the coins minted by the newly independent Jewish state after the Maccabee victory. Receiving gifts is fun, but it's also important to give something back.
Project: Contact your synagogue or JCC before the holiday to locate an elderly person who may be alone and would like to celebrate with a family. Take the celebration to them!
Gift: A tzedakah box.

Third night: Conviction. The Maccabees stood up for what they thought was right. So should we.
Project: Think of something in your town or city that you'd like to change. Is the town tearing down a beloved playground? Would you like to beautify an unsightly area by planting flowers or trees? How can you put your ideas into action?
Gift: Stationery, pens, markers, crayons--to write letters protesting the problem and offering solutions.

Fourth Night: Wonder/Miracles. Hanukka celebrates the miracle of the small defeating the mighty, the triumph of spirit over military power.
Project: Write a poem or draw a picture of other wonders or miracles that surround us in everyday life.
Gift: Frame a baby picture along with a recent one of your child, showing the miracle of life and growth.

Fifth Night: Continuity. We describe the miracle of Hanukka as one that took place ba-yamim hahem ba-z'man ha-zeh: "in those days and in ours." The Maccabee victory enabled Judaism to continue its legacy to our lives today.
Project: Invite a grandparent or another older relative to celebrate the holiday with you. If that's not possible, call them to tell them you wish they were with you.
Gift: Pass down an heirloom that symbolizes the continuity of your family.

Sixth Night: Peace/Accepting Differences. This is what Antiochus and the Greek army did not do. They could not tolerate people who were different than they were.
Project: What is your wish for peace? Create your own symbol for peace by drawing, painting, or sculpting it from clay or play-doh and put it in your wndow.
Gift: A tape of music from different countries, or games from other cultures around the world, to show that there is much to unite us despite our differences.

Seventh Night: Rebuilding. On Hanukka , the Temple in Jerusalem was desecrated. It had to be cleansed and rededicated just as the entre Jewish community had to be rebuilt.
Project: Before Hanukka , research and create a list of organizations that offer help to individuals, families, even animals, to rebuild their lives. Share the list and choose one to which you will send a contribution.
Gift: Many organizations sell products to raise funds, such as Myriam's Dream, which sells crafts made by the elederly, or the North American Conference on Ethiopian Jewry, which sells pillows and mezuzahs. Contact the Ziv Tzedakah Fund for ideas. Phone: (201) 763-9396.

Eighth Night: Family. As we recite the blessings over the Hanukka candles, we remember that every holiday is also about sharing the blessings of family.
Project: What blessings do you share as a family? What makes each member of your family one-of-a-kind? Draw or write down your ideas.
Gift: A camera or picture frame. Take a picture of your family as you celebrate this Hanukkah and frame the photo as a keepsake. Treasure the memories!

Hopefully, these ideas will give you the impetus to create your own holiday customs. As you infuse the Hanukka celebration with values beyond the superficial, its significance will transcend the boundaries of eight nights.