A deeply December 2025 to you, my fellow gifted thrifters and thrifty gifters! First month of Winter, Kislev and Tevet of 5786; month of Advent, World AIDS Day, my TENTH ANNUAL Mycroft’s Menorah Mishigas, Hanukkah, the Winter Solstice, Christmas, Chrismukkah / Hanumas, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Eve!
Nu, what is my Menorah Mishigas? Every December for the last nine-plus years, I’ve shared my meshuggah menorah collection and more on my social media (Facebook, Twitter/X/Xitter/whatever), and Instagram). And this is the FIFTH December I’ll be talking about that here at Finding Your Good, as part of my monthly guest blogging.
I have more than 40 Hanukkah menorahs (also known as hanukkiahs/hanukkiyot)! All of them thrifted and gifted! Many of them from Goodwill Of Greater Washington in person, with a few from Shop Goodwill. And I’ve seen many more menorahs at Goodwill, online and off. I’ve even thrifted a few Temple menorahs in my time.
This Fall, I found my Chrismukkah cards at a Minnesota Goodwill (I visit family in the Minneapolis area), and they were only TWO DOLLARS for 18 (and they were brand new, donated by Target, who was selling them for $7).
This month, I visited my Gooodwill here in Gaithersburg and saw this t-shirt – apparently Mickey has some menorah mishigas of his own.
Now let’s look at some of the menorahs that have been on Shop Goodwill this year. I love and want the first one because it looks like the transgender flag; I have a version of it in shades of blue. The second one is an excellent example of the wild brutalist style menorahs that were popular in the middle of the last century, and if I had seen it in person I would have had to buy it. The third is minimalist but interesting, and I have thrifted some Judaica by [Yair] Emanuel in the past.
https://shopgoodwill.com/item/223451171
NWT Tahari Home Chrome Metal Finish Pastel Colored Mosaic Hanukkah Menorah
https://shopgoodwill.com/item/228498163
Brass Menorah With Inlaid Stones
https://shopgoodwill.com/item/248364912
Box Emanuel Menorah
Nu, while our focus today is on menorahs, I must mention these very pretty Shabbat candlesticks, and the matching kiddush cups (intended for a wedding and/or wedding present) that were in another listing at the same time. One of the reasons I love being Jewish is that I love candles, and we get to light some every week, in addition to holidays and other special occasions. And I’m sure it won’t surprise you to learn that I’ve thrifted some lovely Shabbat and other candleholders from Goodwill.
https://shopgoodwill.com/item/246580592
Colorful Frosted Candle Sticks Set Multicolor Art Glass Design Home Decor
https://shopgoodwill.com/item/248091173
Rueven Glass Pink Frosted Hand Painted Goblets Set Of 2 For Home Decor Art
Happy Hanukkah 5786 and Winter holidays 2025! I’ll see you here in January 2026, when I’ll probably be taking you along on my second visit to a Goodwill in Minnesota. Until then, please do what you can to make the season brighter for yourselves and our community.
About our fabulous guest blogger:
