The Essential Hanukkah Gift Guide 2014: Midrash Manicures [GIVEAWAY]

GIVEAWAY: Welcome to Shalom Life's 2nd Annual ESSENTIAL HANUKKAH GIFT GUIDE! For the next 3 days, we'll be highlighting the best gifts for the upcoming holiday season, and we'll also be GIVING THEM AWAY! In order to win TWO FREE SETS of Hanukkah Nail Decals courtesy of Midrash Manicures, SHARE THIS STORY via Facebook and/or Twitter, and LIKE both Midrash Manicures and Shalom Life on FACEBOOK. Then send an email to contests@shalomlife.com with the headline NAIL DECALS. Remember, the more shares you get, THE BETTER YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING!

To see what other giveaways we're conducting, and the companies we're profiling, click here for Day One (Maccabee on the Mantel), here for Day Two (Zion's Action Figures) here for Day Three (Jew's Glasses 4-set), here for Day Four (Painted Baby Names) and here for Day Five (Funukkah Dolls).

HAG SAMEACH!!!

There's not much in the fashion world that's related to Hanukkah - unless you're in the market for some Ugly Hanukkah Sweaters (in the same realm as ugly Christmas sweaters) - but there's one New York rabbi who's looking to change all that, poised to make this Hanukkah season as glamorous and chic as possible.

It's a manicure miracle.

Rabbi Yael Buechler is a Jewish day school teacher and also the founder of Midrash Manicures, promoting innovative religious expression by combining Jewish education with creative nail art to make Torah more meaningful and relevant. Buechler has been painting Jewish nail art on biblical and holiday themes for the past fifteen years, and has had her manicures endorsed by celebrities from Jon Stewart to Barry Manilow. Suffice it to say, she knows a thing or two about nail decals, and what they can do to boost one's relationship to Judaism when drawn correctly.

"Many fans emailed me asking where they could buy the painted manicures," Buechler tells me. "I decided to create a line of Hanukkah Nail Decals to enable everyone to wear Hanukkah at their fingertips and celebrate this Festival of Light in a new and meaningful way!"

Since Midrash Manicures was launched in 2011, it has empowered women of all ages, and inspired thousands of individuals in their journey toward creative religious expression.

Midrash Manicures also features weekly classes for girls studying the Torah portion for their Bat Mitzvah, workshops in synagogues, day schools and summer camps across America, a curriculum for Genesis, and for the 2014 Hanukkah season, has inaugurated a new line of Jewish nail decals, the perfect gift for any nice Jewish girl. Let's just say they offer mani ways to celebrate Hanukkah.

They've also recently expanded to produce a line of Yiddish adhesive bandages known as Oy Vey! Klutz Strips.

"As a rabbi, I believe that it is important to have creative outlets for Jewish expression," Buechler explains. "Midrash Manicures enables individuals of all ages to take hold of their Judaism in a new and meaningful way. Pirsum HaNes, publicizing the miracle, is a major feature of Hanukkah. What better a way to publicize the miracle than to sport Hanukiyyot and candles on our fingernails?"

I know I can't think of any.

For Rabbi Buechler, Hanukkah is a holiday that holds much significance to her, for several reasons. "Hanukkah is about re-dedication and reflection," she says. "Lighting the Hanukkiyah each night gives us a chance to ask ourselves, who are the "Shamashim," the helpers in our lives? Who helps us to shine? The holiday helps us to appreciate and reflect upon the people who support us in our lives."

The Hanukkah Nail Decals are currently sold at 29 Bloomingdale's stores nation-wide, $11.99 per package, making it one step easier to have Hanukkah directly at your fingertips. The stick-on decals feature images of dreidels, candles, menorahs, and chocolate gelt, and are the perfect way to encourage girls and women of all ages to embrace the Torah in a meaningful and fashionable way. Each package includes 49 decals and, just like the oil, will last for up to 8 days!

Updated for 2014, the latest package even includes a mighty Judah Maccabee and a snowman (inspired by the movie Frozen.)

If you'd like to celebrate Hanukkah in style with these festival Nail Decals, visit Midrash Manicures here.