Hanukkah begins on Dec. 10 and ends on Dec. 18. Although this year it will look different due to the coronavirus pandemic, we can still celebrate the festival of lights safely. 

Below are a few safety tips to help you celebrate:

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that celebrating the holidays virtually or with members of your own household, who are consistently taking measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19, poses the lowest risk for spread of the virus. 

If you still plan to get together with loved ones, keep the Hanukkah gatherings outdoors and brief. Wear a mask, stay six feet apart, and wash your hands often. See more information from the CDC here.

Host a virtual meal with friends and family who don’t live with you. Schedule a time to share a meal together virtually. Have people share recipes and show the dishes they prepared.

Prepare classic Hanukkah dishes like latkes, brisket, kugel, and matzo ball soup, or traditional treats like rugelach, sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts), or a little gelt, and deliver them to family and neighbors in a way that does not involve contact with others (for example, leave them on the porch). 

Place your menorah on a sturdy, non-flammable surface. Keep the menorah and matches out of children’s and pets' reach. Never leave a lit menorah unattended. Use only non-flammable menorahs. Don’t walk around with lit candles. Use non-flammable decorations. See more fire safety tips here.

Your family and friends will love this tip - pick quarantine-friendly gifts! Socks, warm blankets, books, fun games, or mugs are all gifts that can make your time at home this winter more cozy and comfortable. Deliver them in a way that does not involve contact with others.

Here are some more tips from the CDC to celebrate the holidays and small gatherings.