There are number of folks that are confused about the holiday known as Chanukah (Hanukkah for those who have difficulty in pronouncing it correctly). Many think it is a Jewish Version of Christmas. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
Christmas brings enormous electric bills. Candles are used for Hanukkah. Not only are we spared enormous electric bills, but we get to feel good about not contributing to the energy crisis. — Anonymous
Actually, Chanukah has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas, but like Christmas, celebrates a great miracle that took place about 2,000 years ago. I will endeavor to teach you about this holiday addressing...
Historical Context
Customs and Rituals (Traditions)
The Music of Hanukkah
Traditional Foods
Historical Context: The Maccabean Revolt
Around 168 BCE (Before the Common Era) Antiochus Epiphanus a mean old Hellenized (greek cultural appropriation, yes they did that stuff back then too) Syrian King got his back up about the Jewish People. He took some of his army there, outlawed the customs and traditions of the Jewish faith and made deals with the Hellenized Jews of the area. To really let the Israeli folk know he meant business, he made the Temple in Israel a shrine to Zeus. There is also a tradition that says a pig was sacrificed on the alter. That last one would dill anyone's pickle!
Now the Jewish Folk were not happy about this at all, and Moses I am sure was rolling in his grave. The most angry about the situation was a priest named Matthias and his sons. They were known as the Maccabees.
Now the Maccabees were not too crazy about these Syrian folks trying to regulate religion and stuff. Matthias was a priest of the Most High God, but not political like the Hellenized High Priest who brown nosed that mean old King Antiochus Epiphanus. Priest Matthias and his sons, especially his boy Judas, starting raising hell and kicking some serious Syrian toucas.
So after the Jewish rebels kicked all that Syrian butt and threw them out of Israel with their Zeus religion; it was now time to cleanse and rededicate the Temple to the True G-D. The G-D of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Jacob is also known as Israel. G-D gave him that moniker). Problem was to light the candelabra that represented the Spirit of G-D in the Temple, they needed holy oil. The Temple and all its stuff was polluted by the false worship except for a little holy oil (they used oil for fire in those days), but it was only enough for one day! It would take at least eight days to get more holy olive oil.
The priests went ahead and lit the eternal flame anyway, and guess what happened? A miracle! The oil kept burning for a period of 8 days until more oil was allocated. Now that was super outstanding! This is why Chanukah is also known as the The Feast of Lights. The word Chanukah itself means, dedication.
Traditions and Customs
Driedle
One tradition that is popular among children is playing with the Driedle. It is a squarish top with four sides that have Hebrew letters :
נ (Nun)
ג (Gimel)
ה (He)
ש (Shin)
These letters are an acronym for the phrase, a great miracle happened there.
The tradition of playing this gambling game stems from when Jewish faith and study were banned by King Antiochus. Jewish boys and men would study the Jewish Scriptures in secret. If happened upon by the Syrian soldiers, they would pull out their driedels and act like they were gambling.
The Menorah
The menorah is a candelabra with 9 candles. The middle candle, called the Shemash, is used to light all the other candles. Each night of the Festival of Lights a candle is lit. First night one candle, second night two candles and so on until on the final night all eight candles are lit. This candle lighting is accompanied by a prayer. The menorah is normally prominently displayed within the home, my times in a window. There have been a number of menorahs placed in prominent areas of cities around the world.
Gelt: Gold
Children normally receives presents of chocolates that are made to look like gold coins. This is a traditional present. They look a little like Bitcoin! They will many times gamble these chocolate gelt while playing driedle. If you would like to send me some gelt/Bitcoin for Chanuka, that would be great. Only kidding. 
Chanukah Music: Let's Jam!
There are many many Chanukah songs, and since this post is getting really long; I will share a few of my favorite contemporary videos.
Traditional Food
Anything cooked in oil. Donuts, Potatoe Pancakes (Latkes), well you get it. Many who are too busy may just go out for Chinese. Go figure!
I hope you enjoyed this post. I want to wish everyone happy holidays! Have a latke. You will like it. I guarantee!