Star Light, Star Bright
Hanukkah is just about a month away. Now, let me preface this by saying the following: my family has had many Jewish friends over the years, and it’s fully understood that Hanukkah is by far the most important celebration in the Judaic calendar. It’s generally understood that it’s the commercialization of Hanukkah by marketers looking to extend their Christmas season pull that has made it into the well-known holiday that it is. That being said, it is, at the end of the day, a major gift-giving occasion. And even if you’re not shopping for Hanukkah presents, there’s also the ongoing Bar and Bat Mitzvah gifts to consider! So I’m writing about it, with the most thematically appropriate gift I could possibly think of. And if you’re not Jewish? Well neither am I, but that certainly wouldn’t stop me from putting any of these beauties on my holiday wish list.
I’m talking about gems and baubles from family-owned jewellery designer Alef Bet by Paula, based in California. With over fifteen years in the game, this isn’t your standard faith-driven jewellery line. Every piece smacks of modernity, with glittering details, a variety of finishes, and general design that doesn’t scream for attention. In other words? It’s a great way to show your Jewish pride – or if you’re not Jewish, respect for some classic customs and themes – in a subtle, stylish way.
One particularly choice benefit about the brand is they offer a huge range of price points – starting as low as $28 for this simple Hamsa (a traditional sign of protection, much like the Evil Eye above) necklace, and going up to $800 for bracelets and necklaces inlaid with diamonds, sapphires, and other rare gems.
In terms of the themes of Alef Bet’s jewellery, many of the pieces focus on good luck and protection, like the dozens of varieties of the Hamsa and Evil Eye designs above. Chai, the Hebrew sign for ‘Life’, pomegranates, the tree of life, and of course, the Star of David are all major players. They’ve also got a full line of Bendel Bracelets – legend has it when the red string unravels, good luck is on the way.
As mentioned Alef Bet is based out of California, but they do offer international shipping from USPS – with no mark-ups. As someone who gets a little annoyed by online retailers that charge you a flat rate, it’s nice to see a company that doesn’t mark up their shipping. If you’re ready to shop, great news. Alef Bet is hooking up Canadian Gift Guide readers with a 10% discount on all merchandise. Follow this link – and only this link! – and enter in ‘canadiangiftguide’ as your coupon code to get 10% off your entire order.
If you’d like to take your chances and gamble to win a piece from Alef Bet beyond what you order from them, then you’re in luck: I’m giving away one of the Two Tone Jewish Star Pendants pictured above to a lucky reader. And if it looks vaguely familiar, it’s probably because its been featured on ABC’s fun comedy Suburgatory. Here’s how to enter:
1) Leave a comment below before November 28th and tell me what your favourite good luck charm / symbol is. It can be one of the charms pictured above, or anything you consider lucky – horseshoes, pennies, rainbows, stars, clovers…name it, and maybe it’ll bring you some luck on this contest. Be sure to include your name and email address (the latter of which only I can see) so I can contact you if you win!
2) Entries are limited to one per person per email address (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around November 28th to select the winner, who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.
3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible to participate in this promotion.
4) Bonus Entry Time: Spread the good word about the Canadian Gift Guide. Share this post using anyone of the ‘Share This’ tools below, and you’ll earn a bonus entry in the draw for each method used. I can see who’s shared what, but let me know what you use in the comments below!
For full rules & regs, feel free to drop me an email at canadiangiftguide -at- gmail -dot- com. Be’hatzlacha!
Canadian Gift Guide 
beautiful…stunning
My favorite good luck charm is a nickle.
Every time I have scratched a scratch card with this nickle, I have won lol!
It’s totally weird – but it is true.
A few days ago, I had 2 nickles sitting on my fireplace mantle (where I normally only keep the lucky one). My boyfriend and I had gotten a few scratch cards and I was like “Oh no…Which one is it?!”. So we both scratched…he had won on his card. He must of had my lucky one haha 🙂
it’s a horseshoe – comes from when i lived on a farm
I have a uncirculated quarter from my birth year that my mother gave to me on my 16th birthday. I always have it with me.
I must add I am 42 years old now
My favourite good luck charm is a star.The star represents the Star of David as in the Holy Bible.
looks really awesome I love it
My good luck charm is a God grant me the serenity coin my mom gave me I carry it everywhere
Nice Magen David-I wish I won it! thanks
a four leaf clover !
Would love to have a star of David necklace.,a reminder of my christian judeo roots.
http://youcanknowanything.blogspot.com/
My good luck charm is somewhat untraditional. It’s anything to do with dragonflies (such as my dragonfly bracelet). Dragonflies by asian tradition symbolize strength and courage, and also rebirth and new beginnings in other cultures. I am surrounded by them in paintings in my house, jewelry, fridge magnets, they are everywhere.
an ankh
Liking the star of david pendant
My good luck charm is a bracelet my husband gave me before we were married. I wear it all the time.
Anything jade
My good luck charm is a black cat. In my culture (Scottish) a black cat brings good luck, co anything black or feline is good for me. Still waiting for a big win……ha, ha. Star of David is lucky too, as my son’s name is David, and a star represents light and knowledge. Hope this will be lucky for me.
King David “rocks”
my good luck charm is my cat ,when i think of something i want to happen,i give her kisses and cuddles and tell her my wish,she is my little angel.
I am pretty standard – I like the four-leaf clover. It is my keychain.
My good luck charm is two hands in pray
I have a lucky pendant that has my birth stone.
My good luck charm is star
my favorite luck charm is purple, the color
tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/LilleaBrionn/status/138168574886948864
Thanks Lillea!
necklace would look good on my granddaughter
My good luck charm is all the pennies I find on the ground. I collect them in a jar, and whenever I go out, I pick one out and put it in my pocket. I will sometimes not wear an item of clothing for months, and then suddenly put my hand in one pocket and fish out a lucky penny. I think that is double lucky.
I used to have a ladybug charm that i thought brought me luck…..sadly lost it.
Rabbit’s foot
Pretty! My good luck charm is a necklace a friend gave me a few years ago.
I love stars!
mine is a ring given to me by my great grandmother
My favourite charm is a star !!!!!!
I consider rainbows and pennies lucky for me.
my good luck charms are angels, like guardian angels and the scarab beetle…the scarab is my favorite good luck charm and I have one tattooed on my ankle(in a charm anklet) so i have it with me all the time.
My good luck charm is an Italian cornicello. It’s a silver horn-shaped amulet……
I like a hamsa as a good luck charm. Really like the Star of David pendant. Does the designer do custom orders?
We can custom design items for you.
It is nice to wish upon a star and be the luckiest to win that wishful prize.
My good luck charm is my husband! Since getting married, I have been very lucky!!!
my good luck charm has always been my MOGEN DOVID
The Hamsa is a good luck symbol for me.
Could use some good luck – end this streak! My lucky stone has run out! Trying a seashell.
My favourite good luck charm is a unicorn’s horn. A necklace featuring this charm is beautiful and feminine.
I prefer the hamsa as well as my good luck charm, and the hamsa on a red cord is my #1 choice. Had it on for 4 years now.
I don’t have any good luck charms. The star of David pendant is beautiful.
I love the Evil Eye, I have a collection of the Evil Eye and that’s my lucky charm.
Margaret imecs
margaret.imecs@gmail.com
Probably angel wings.
My good luck charm is a four leaf clover that a friend sent to me! I adore it!
My Good Luck charm is my engagement ring. It sounds cliche, but the very day I lost a diamond in it, my luck was lost too. My car failed, my dog became ill, my fiance’s job was put in danger and all within 3 days. Jewelry isn’t just sentimental anymore!
My good luck charm is a calabash jade pendant.
I shared this on fb and twitter. My name on fb is Dan UKo and twitter is ukodan.
Thanks Dan, you’ve scored a bonus entry!
my favorite charm is the evil eye
I have friends who would love that.
My good luck charm is a $5 bill given to me by my mom.
I have an elephant hanging over my computer
shared on facebook
tweeted
http://twitter.com/#!/1byspike/status/139879678868586496
I also e-mailed it!
Well done Francine, you’ve earned three bonus entries 🙂
i like seastars, i think they are lucky! 🙂
shared on twitter! (spikedcupcake)
Awesome, you’ve scored a bonus entry.
My mother has always shared her special perspective on the Star of Davis and it’s significance. I would love to win this for her. Thank you.
is a paper heart my daugher drew for me when she was very little
Is there any way I can purchase that Hamsa Pendant? Because I would love to buy it!!
Hey Nina, visit the Alef Bet website – they’ve got plenty of Hamsa options!
Awesome,thank you!
Ohhh i love these! So cute!