Trying to tell a Hanukkah story in the (Hallmark) Christmas movie format is likely to get mixed reactions. Yet, for the past few years, this is what Hallmark has done, and the last two have been delightful. Though arguably not as good as last year's 'Love, Lights, Hanukkah!', the 'Eight Gifts of Hanukkah' is a lovely romance nonetheless with some strong acting to boot. The story revolves around Sarah (played by Inbar Lavi), who is back on the dating scene a few months after a difficult breakup. On each night of Hanukkah, she receives a gift from an anonymous suitor. Meanwhile, her childhood best friend, the boy-next-door, Daniel (played by Jake Epstein), secretly pines for her. So, our story begins as we watch Sarah solve the mystery of her secret admirer, eventually learning that true love might be someone you least expect. Although the story is predictable, as is the case with most Hallmark movies, it is engaging and compelling nonetheless. In particular, the writers do a wonderful job of developing the mystery and backstories around the eight gifts. Indeed, this is one of the most appealing elements of the story. The family dialogue, interactions, and dynamics are also beautifully done. These scenes feel real, giving the story an air of authenticity. What makes this all work on-screen, of course, is the acting, which is excellent. Lavi's performance is notable. She does a brilliant job of portraying Sarah's growing attraction for Daniel (and how she is confused by it) as the story progresses. Epstein's performance is also very strong, convincing. There is no doubt how Daniel feels about Sarah. Moreover, the two have great chemistry on-screen. The closeness and friendship they portray feel real. The closeness of the family, in general, is one of the appealing elements of the movie. The family interactions and dynamics are well done. David Kaye's performance as Jacob (Sarah's brother) is excellent, for example. I also enjoyed the Hanukkah storyline in this one. You have, of course, the typical Hanukkah celebration items such as menorahs, dreidels, brisket, and kugel. There is a beautiful hand-made dreidel that Daniel gives Sarah. The movie also depicts the Festival of Lights through several events such as family dinners, a Hanukkah Hunt, a menorah lighting at the Jewish Community Center, and the Mazel Ball. Indeed, the movie spends a significant amount of time presenting the celebration of Hanukkah and Jewish culture. All in all, 'Eight Gifts of Hanukkah' is a lovely holiday romance, a nice edition to Hallmark's Christmas movie line-up this season. I highly recommend it.
27 Reviews
Really nice Hanukkah movie
steve-603964 December 2021
We've seen a few Hanukkah-themed movies over the years, and think this is the best. Yes - the bar is kind of low, but this is a Hallmark movie not Oscar night. We particularly liked the portrayal of this holiday as being for family, the children, and the history of it. You get to see the family lighting and blessing the Hanukkah candles - it was touching and felt right.
Lessons of Hanukkah
Phlnthrpst4 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
First, let me say I'm not Jewish, I'm Christian. Living in NYC, I am familiar with some of the Jewish traditions on Hanukkah, but I have never attended any of its celebrations. The story unfolded well, and introduced anyone without a knowledge of Hanukkah, to its beautiful traditions. I loved the tenderness between Sarah and Daniel. It was by far my favorite Hallmark holiday movie of 2021. Almost perfect. There are two minor details I would have changed. Firstly, I was a bit disappointed when Sara failed to see, by gift #7, that it was Daniel. Secondly, at the end, I would have added 'One Year Later', where there was a wedding photo in the frame, now in the home which Daniel built.
Hallmark .... Stop Short Shrifting the Endings!
keywest5956 December 2021
Enjoyed the movie, Really likeable and relatable characters, however, like so many Hallmark movies, they cheat us out of a satisfactory ending. It's like, "If a bear s...ts in the woods and no one sees it. Did it really happen?" So if a couple kisses at the end of the movie (and they always do) and it's not noticed and reacted to by others, who cares? After watching a movie for two hours, I think we all deserve a little satisfaction. Geez!
A celebration of romance and Hanukkah.
cgvsluis6 January 2022
I really enjoyed the online dating opening with Sarah going to meet online guys at a coffeeshop. Sarah is an eye doctor, she does meet one good one a top chef named Nigel. Also a client at her eye clinic also asks her out...things are looking up. If only she can get her confidence up from her breakup with Paul.
Hanukkah celebrating Sarah has been single for four months and is finally ready to try dating again. Her childhood friend, Daniel, is doing a remodel on her business and always has her back...this is where he comes in to bolster her confidence.
"I think this is my cue to remind you that he didn't deserve you."-Daniel.
"The bean counters are not just a garage band."-Sarah
The commentating on the dreidel spinning Hilarious!
This was one entire introduction to Hanukkah for Sarah's friend and Christmas celebrating business partner.
One the first day of Hanukkah Sarah receives an anonymous gift of white roses fro a secret admirer. This is followed by seven more gifts...leaving her to wonder who is sending these special gifts?
"Cardboard boxes are an unrelated medium."-Daniel.
"I'm like the Jewish Nancy Drew."-Sarah.
Hanukkah celebrating Sarah has been single for four months and is finally ready to try dating again. Her childhood friend, Daniel, is doing a remodel on her business and always has her back...this is where he comes in to bolster her confidence.
"I think this is my cue to remind you that he didn't deserve you."-Daniel.
"The bean counters are not just a garage band."-Sarah
The commentating on the dreidel spinning Hilarious!
This was one entire introduction to Hanukkah for Sarah's friend and Christmas celebrating business partner.
One the first day of Hanukkah Sarah receives an anonymous gift of white roses fro a secret admirer. This is followed by seven more gifts...leaving her to wonder who is sending these special gifts?
"Cardboard boxes are an unrelated medium."-Daniel.
"I'm like the Jewish Nancy Drew."-Sarah.
Loved the chemistry and ending
alar625 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I came into this movie late then restarted it after seeing the chemistry between Inbar Lavi and Jake Epstein. Their friendship felt real as did the closeness of the family. The casting in this movie was very good.
I also enjoyed the Hanukkah storyline(not jewish but have friends who celebrate the same way) and the mystery of the gifts.
Yes, it was obvious from the beginning it was Daniel but the real mystery for me was the personal meaning behind each gift and what he would give her on the eight night so the ending was a complete surprise which is hard to come by in a Hallmark movie.
I also enjoyed the Hanukkah storyline(not jewish but have friends who celebrate the same way) and the mystery of the gifts.
Yes, it was obvious from the beginning it was Daniel but the real mystery for me was the personal meaning behind each gift and what he would give her on the eight night so the ending was a complete surprise which is hard to come by in a Hallmark movie.
Nice cute movie
Saving219 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This movie was traditional holiday romantic tale on the backdrop of Hanukkah celebrations. I think we the viewers knew the story the minute the first gift arrived. And even with the predictability the movie still worked and was better than other holidays movies this year. The actors were great in their roles and had genuine chemistry, the supporting cast was good as well. I liked the adding of the Jewish tradition maybe little cheesy but that's also in other Christmas movies.
In the end I really enjoyed this movie.
In the end I really enjoyed this movie.
Not much mystery for viewer
Jackbv1234 December 2021
The anonymous gift premise isn't the most common and since this is Hanukkah, the traditional activities are different from all the Christmas movies, but there is still a charity function that all the romantic interests work on.
Jake Epstein's Daniel and Inbar Lavi's Sara (spelling as per the gift cards) have great chemistry despite supposedly being just friends. I'm beginning to really appreciate Epstein who seems to bond well with his opposite whether the story is about Hanukkah or Christmas. Lavi is new to me, but I liked her almost at once.
I think the viewer knows who the sender is almost from the first gift, but it's not long in the movie before he confesses to a friend. A lot of attention is paid to his frustration that all the other male candidates are getting.
Jake Epstein's Daniel and Inbar Lavi's Sara (spelling as per the gift cards) have great chemistry despite supposedly being just friends. I'm beginning to really appreciate Epstein who seems to bond well with his opposite whether the story is about Hanukkah or Christmas. Lavi is new to me, but I liked her almost at once.
I think the viewer knows who the sender is almost from the first gift, but it's not long in the movie before he confesses to a friend. A lot of attention is paid to his frustration that all the other male candidates are getting.
How many gifts does it take....?
gfrasmd4 December 2021
Let's begin with by stating the movie is only casually related to Hanukkah. It is about a guy trying to win the heart of the girl he pines for, with eight thoughtful gifts. Though the idea is not really innovative, it may still work for a romantic story. Sara(h), Inbar Lavi, is quite beautiful and accomplished and Daniel is rendered pleasant by Jake Epstein's somewhat endearing goofiness. The overall result is a show that has some substance and charm. An improvement would have been to characterize a bit more the spiritual side of the Holiday. A major one could have been to give more consistency to Sara(h) 's personality. She is purported to be a bright, sensitive young woman. How credible it is that she, receiving a series of gifts, clearly highly personal and reaching her more intimate thoughts, could even consider they would come from suitors she has just met? I guess this was done in order to create more drama. Yet, how can a viewer embrace a heroine who is wonderful and clueless at the same time? Thus said, I still liked the movie enough for a passing grade.
Where to begin? Ugh!
whitney-m-sorensen5 December 2021
Look, Jake Epstein was one of the more charming CTC leads in 2021, and the two leads even had some genuine moments of chemistry. But I was literally yelling at the tv for the entire second half. What gives him the right to complain about her not thinking he's the secret admirer when he hasn't done what the other guys on her list have done and ASK HER OUT?!? The least believable Hallmark movies always feature way too much "guys talking about their crushes with other guys" time as if they are in junior high instead of their mid 30s.
And also, what was with a live band playing the track of Howie Day's "Collide" at the end complete with his vocal??? If you are a cover band, you don't play the original artist's voice over top.
And also, what was with a live band playing the track of Howie Day's "Collide" at the end complete with his vocal??? If you are a cover band, you don't play the original artist's voice over top.
the Case of the Blind Eye Doctor
rebekahrox7 December 2021
This is the plot where secret admirer turns out to be the dark horse best friend. Yes, it is a cliché, but, for me, it usually works. And by and large it works in this one. I liked the male lead very well. He was appealing in an average guy sort of way and conveyed his love and longing hidden behind jokey behavior towards the heroine very effectively. The female lead was OK despite her voice being very high and girlish. Also she giggled an awful lot for the mature usually poised and serious person she played. She was definitely channeling Lacey Chabert or Jen Lilley or both. I got used to it eventually, though it was distracting at first.
Life long family friend and buddy, Daniel, who is working with Sara to renovate her office, tries to woo her by sending a thoughtful meaningful gift, on each of the 8 days of Hanukkah. It starts out being fun for all concerned, but as each day goes by and she still can't figure out who her secret admirer her is he starts to feel hurt and a little disrespected. She is being distracted by two new serious suitors. And they are both very nice and very eligible. Even her ex who dumped her starts to make some moves. He is a weasel. When Daniel's best friend, amusingly played by Doron Bell, asks him why he just doesn't tell her, he says, "Now it's becoming a test. I want her to figure out it's me." As they spend more time together (he teaches her to dance, for example) Inbar Lavi as the beautiful but blind as a bat optometrist (Eye See You-not.) Sarah does a good job of showing the increasing attraction she has started to feel for her friend and being confused by it. He knows she is starting to feel something, but wants her to figure it out on her own. It's a romantic dance and is very engaging. After nearing the last days of his courtship of gifts, which honestly only he could be the giver of, he overhears her speculating on the most unlikely possibilities and doesn't even consider it might be him. He is fed up. She finally figures things out, but he has lost patience. Is it too late?
This has some corny lines and situations including an awkward Forrest Gump imitation, but I really liked it. Some of the efforts to infuse the story with Jewish culture stereotypes, and references seem a little forced, but who am I to judge? The ending, and the 8th gift was sweet and perfect.
Life long family friend and buddy, Daniel, who is working with Sara to renovate her office, tries to woo her by sending a thoughtful meaningful gift, on each of the 8 days of Hanukkah. It starts out being fun for all concerned, but as each day goes by and she still can't figure out who her secret admirer her is he starts to feel hurt and a little disrespected. She is being distracted by two new serious suitors. And they are both very nice and very eligible. Even her ex who dumped her starts to make some moves. He is a weasel. When Daniel's best friend, amusingly played by Doron Bell, asks him why he just doesn't tell her, he says, "Now it's becoming a test. I want her to figure out it's me." As they spend more time together (he teaches her to dance, for example) Inbar Lavi as the beautiful but blind as a bat optometrist (Eye See You-not.) Sarah does a good job of showing the increasing attraction she has started to feel for her friend and being confused by it. He knows she is starting to feel something, but wants her to figure it out on her own. It's a romantic dance and is very engaging. After nearing the last days of his courtship of gifts, which honestly only he could be the giver of, he overhears her speculating on the most unlikely possibilities and doesn't even consider it might be him. He is fed up. She finally figures things out, but he has lost patience. Is it too late?
This has some corny lines and situations including an awkward Forrest Gump imitation, but I really liked it. Some of the efforts to infuse the story with Jewish culture stereotypes, and references seem a little forced, but who am I to judge? The ending, and the 8th gift was sweet and perfect.
Eight Gifts of Hanukkah
JoBloTheMovieCritic28 December 2021
Happy Hanukkah but.....
katybleck9 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I love the premise, however my goodness how does she not know....... About 1/2 way through even the lead guy is at best yelling "duh" in a Hallmark way. Either way the baby talk, and act is a bit much for me, no thanks lady. I can't deal with a leading lady that talks like she's five for some reason, it is very troublesome to me. No thank you add some presence to your voice. I don't know why the baby talk, and overwhelming helpless body movement is necessary, it doesn't speak to the modern women of the next generation that I would hope you are hopeful to talk to.
Enjoyable, yet could use a few tweaks here and there.
firebolt-055175 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I thoroughly enjoyed this film. However, two factors prevented me from giving this movie a solid 8.
#1) The mystery of who the secret admirer was was poorly done and it was more than obvious who it was before the person identified themselves. It would have been nice to see a twist here or there to keep both the main character and the audience truly guessing about who it really was. I understand that it's a Hallmark movie, but it still would have been nice to see.
#2) I found the main character to be charming and extremely likable. However, considering that she's meant to be intelligent as well, she's not very smart when it comes to guessing who the secret admirer is. It's almost like the writers dumbed her down whenever she was trying to figure out who it was. As the gifts became more and more personal, you'd think that she would immediately write off the suitors whom she'd only known for a few days. Yet she keeps them as prime suspects until the real admirer revealed themselves to her. It honestly made no sense at all.
All in all, this was a very entertaining Hallmark holiday movie and I even learned a few things about Hanukkah. I just wished that they had put a bit more effort into the mystery and the main character's intelligence when it came to solving the admirer's identity.
#1) The mystery of who the secret admirer was was poorly done and it was more than obvious who it was before the person identified themselves. It would have been nice to see a twist here or there to keep both the main character and the audience truly guessing about who it really was. I understand that it's a Hallmark movie, but it still would have been nice to see.
#2) I found the main character to be charming and extremely likable. However, considering that she's meant to be intelligent as well, she's not very smart when it comes to guessing who the secret admirer is. It's almost like the writers dumbed her down whenever she was trying to figure out who it was. As the gifts became more and more personal, you'd think that she would immediately write off the suitors whom she'd only known for a few days. Yet she keeps them as prime suspects until the real admirer revealed themselves to her. It honestly made no sense at all.
All in all, this was a very entertaining Hallmark holiday movie and I even learned a few things about Hanukkah. I just wished that they had put a bit more effort into the mystery and the main character's intelligence when it came to solving the admirer's identity.
Impressed
karine_attias5 December 2021
One of the best Hallmark movies I have seen.
Leads are charming and have amazing chemistry. The writing and acting are really good. Of course we know the ending but none of the cliches are there. It's Incredibly romantic. Great job stepping outside the box with this one !
Leads are charming and have amazing chemistry. The writing and acting are really good. Of course we know the ending but none of the cliches are there. It's Incredibly romantic. Great job stepping outside the box with this one !
It would take a real putz to screw this up
MickyG33312 January 2023
7.9 stars.
Almost a full wow factor... almost. What was lacking, I'm not absolutely certain but I feel like it was intermittent misfires in timing and chemistry . When she should have realized he alone was the only one who qualified as the secret admirer and yet she misreads the whole situation. Only a fool could be that dense, but she is very intelligent, and it's obvious with her profession and the way she communicates and carries herself. And so I get why he's frustrated. His disappointment is actually quite realistic. Some reviewers feel that he was being unreasonable by getting angry with her obvious ignorance, that maybe he should wake up and be more clear, but from what we see near the end, it's perfectly conspicuous all along. The writers should have provided an alternative explanation for the obvious illogic, maybe something to throw her off the scent, mislead her somehow; but they failed to provide anything of the sort. This story completely relies on her apparent lack of awareness.
All of the above diatribe aside, this is a very entertaining film in all respects. Most of the dialogue is pure mastery, I was impressed. The chemistry is fine, the rest is brilliant. This is a must see.
Almost a full wow factor... almost. What was lacking, I'm not absolutely certain but I feel like it was intermittent misfires in timing and chemistry . When she should have realized he alone was the only one who qualified as the secret admirer and yet she misreads the whole situation. Only a fool could be that dense, but she is very intelligent, and it's obvious with her profession and the way she communicates and carries herself. And so I get why he's frustrated. His disappointment is actually quite realistic. Some reviewers feel that he was being unreasonable by getting angry with her obvious ignorance, that maybe he should wake up and be more clear, but from what we see near the end, it's perfectly conspicuous all along. The writers should have provided an alternative explanation for the obvious illogic, maybe something to throw her off the scent, mislead her somehow; but they failed to provide anything of the sort. This story completely relies on her apparent lack of awareness.
All of the above diatribe aside, this is a very entertaining film in all respects. Most of the dialogue is pure mastery, I was impressed. The chemistry is fine, the rest is brilliant. This is a must see.
So Boring!
icu_rns12 December 2021
This is a quick and easy review - this movie is terribly boring! The lead character is boring. I love Hallmark Christmas movies. I've been watching them for years, and know most of them by memory. I couldn't even sit through the entirety of this movie, and gave up after an hour. It's like watching paint dry. And the "mystery" isn't very mysterious. Hallmark, you can - and have - done better!
WoW
mokegent-3354619 January 2022
ONE OF MY FAVORITES!
heavenawaitsjh27 November 2023
This would have to be one of my all time favorite Hallmark movies and I don't even celebrate Hanukkah. The Story is a great love story during the holidays. It is mainly about Hanukkah, but it throws just a little Christmas in as well. The story alone isn't what makes the movie so great though. It just makes the movie good. What makes the movie great is also having a really great lead actress INBAR LAVI(Prison Break, Imposters, Lucifer) starring as Sara who receives eight anonymous gifts, one each night of Hanukkah from a secret admirer. I watched this movie on tv and ordered it online the next day I enjoyed it that much.
Like watching paint dry. Beige paint.
cherold13 December 2021
I always assumed Hallmark movies were just formulaic romances but when I finally watched one (my girlfriend's friends had, for some inexplicable reason, decided they should all watch and review this one) it turned out to be much worse than that.
You know the movie's entire plot in ten minutes. There's no story, no surprises, no dramatic tension.
You've got likable enough people (including Imposter's radiant Inbar Lavi) just sitting around spewing artificial chit chat for an hour and a half.
This is apparently exactly what Hallmark fans want. So many of these IMDb user reviews are a variation on, "this movie was predictable and nothing happened, and I loved it."
So yeah, if you like the Hallmark formula, apparently that's what you get here. Oy!
You know the movie's entire plot in ten minutes. There's no story, no surprises, no dramatic tension.
You've got likable enough people (including Imposter's radiant Inbar Lavi) just sitting around spewing artificial chit chat for an hour and a half.
This is apparently exactly what Hallmark fans want. So many of these IMDb user reviews are a variation on, "this movie was predictable and nothing happened, and I loved it."
So yeah, if you like the Hallmark formula, apparently that's what you get here. Oy!
So Romantic
cocobuttr72-311-5354224 December 2023
Despite producing Hannukah movie less than three years, Hallmark does a great with them. I haven't watched one that was bad and I've sat through a good hundred. And Eight Gifts of Hannukah doesn't disappoint, especially in the romance department.
As a person who loves to find packages on their doorstep, I was eagerly anticipating each and every one of Sarah's gifts. And every time, I squeed inside because they were so thoughtful and meant something, on a personal level, to the heroine.
Overall, this is a really, cute movie with a friends to lover trope with a believable reveal. I thoroughly enjoyed learning all the different traditions and foods eaten during Hannukah.
Out of all the Hallmark movies I've devoured over the past two or so years, (I've gone back and watched about a hundred 😭😅) this one is easily in my top ten.
As a person who loves to find packages on their doorstep, I was eagerly anticipating each and every one of Sarah's gifts. And every time, I squeed inside because they were so thoughtful and meant something, on a personal level, to the heroine.
Overall, this is a really, cute movie with a friends to lover trope with a believable reveal. I thoroughly enjoyed learning all the different traditions and foods eaten during Hannukah.
Out of all the Hallmark movies I've devoured over the past two or so years, (I've gone back and watched about a hundred 😭😅) this one is easily in my top ten.
Tired of dumb females
LtlHippo10 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
So tired of dumb female characters. Like when she sees him talking to his "girlfriend' on the front porch. The girlfriend is breaking up but the lead takes it all wrong and then proceeds to treat him like crap. Didn't see any chemistry after they got together. This was a stinker.
Classic Hallmark simp
egsfo31 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Really sad when a man who does nothing but pine over a woman he has done nothing to deserve "Spoiler alert":
Gets her in the end. That's not really a "spoiler" because you know how Hallmark movies end. The man should've been kept in the friend zone but noooo! She falls for her friend, because that's who she really wants?? Give me a break! This Hallmark movie I found truly annoying because the leading man played his "simp" role to the letter, and thus his victory in the end seemed truly unearned l. But what does Hallmark care?
Wow, Hanukkah is more fun where they live
calebcalebwhitney4 December 2021
The lead chick played by an Israeli actress whose name might be Inbar is very pretty and has a really cute voice. So there was that, on the other hand, just like the Christmas shows by this company, the story drags. And ugh the music is pretty horrible. Also, when it was over I didn't know because it didn't seem like we were winding down to an ending. But whatever. I was having an intimate discussion about some stuff with my neighbor from across the street so I didn't have time to complain about it. Had to come back later to write, which of course is an indication of how dedicated I am to providing you with completely useless reviews. Because I'm there for you.
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