20 Rosh Hashanah Gift Ideas for a Sweet New Year

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Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is the first of the Jewish High Holidays. In 2023, Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on September 15 and ends at nightfall on September 17. The specifics of how Jewish people celebrate Rosh Hashanah vary depending on background, upbringing, and level of observance, but Rosh Hashanah customs include reciting blessings, prayer and self-reflection, and enjoying a meal with loved ones. Many Rosh Hashanah traditions revolve around symbols intended to usher in a fruitful new year, so when it comes to ideas for the best Rosh Hashanah gifts, these are a great place to start your search.

Maybe you're looking for Rosh Hashanah hostess gift ideas, so you can have something thoughtful to bring to Rosh Hashanah dinner. Perhaps you're on the hunt for the best Rosh Hashanah honey gifts to give to friends and neighbors who celebrate. Or, it's possible you just want the cutest Rosh Hashanah cards to send to your family members across the miles, wishing them "Shanah Tovah" (a good year). Whatever type of Jewish New Year gift you need, our guide can help.

No matter if you know about Rosh Hashanah or you need a refresher on the basics; we've noted why each of these gifts is significant to the holiday. From customary gifts like honey jars to modern gift ideas that might just encourage you to start a new tradition, these are the best Rosh Hashanah gift ideas of 2023 — or 5784 on the Hebrew calendar.

Honey Tasting Tower

Many Jews celebrate Rosh Hashanah by dipping apple slices into honey, symbolically (and deliciously) ushering in a sweet new year. This honey tasting flight is a modern take on the tradition, making it a unique Rosh Hashanah gift. Any recipient will delight in sampling five different varieties of small-batch honey, using the included booklet of tasting notes as a guide. The honey is sourced, crafted, and packaged in the USA and certified kosher.

Original Honey Lollipops

For a playful spin on the traditional gift of honey, consider this bag of eight, 100% pure honey lollipops. The gourmet treats — which are certified kosher, handmade in the USA, and free from dyes, artificial flavors, and corn syrup — are delicious on their own, stirred into a cup of tea, or even in a cocktail. They come ready-to-gift in a fabric drawstring bag, but they're also individually wrapped, so you could easily split them up for smaller gifts given to friends or family members.

Round Challah Cover

Another common tradition for many Jewish families is to serve a round challah on Rosh Hashanah. There are a number of symbolic reasons, including that the shape represents continuity, the circle of life, and the cycle of the seasons each year. While a round challah would be a welcomed gift, take it one step further by sending your loved one a round challah cover. This pretty option from Cape Town, South Africa-based Judaica brand Chai Modern can be used annually on the holiday as well as on other special occasions.

Best Seller Round Babka

Another interpretation of why Jews eat round challah — often with raisins — on Rosh Hashanah is because we hope that the new year brings continued blessings and sweetness without interruption. What's even sweeter than raisin challah? This 2-pack of round cinnamon babka and round chocolate babka from Green's Kosher Bakery in Brooklyn. It ships fresh with 2-day delivery nationwide through Goldbelly.

"This is probably the BEST Cinnamon Babka we have ever eaten! Plus, it was delivered VERY fresh, almost like we walked into the bakery and picked it up. Appreciate that we can freeze some of it to enjoy at another time," writes one of many happy customers.

Honey Pot Serving Set

This is one punny gift set, honey! It also has over 700 five-star ratings on Amazon, with customers noting how much they love the cute design as well as the added detail of the silver handle on the honey dipper.

Pomegranate Shaped Spoon Rest

Pomegranates are another popular Rosh Hashanah symbol. Not only are they sweet, but their seeds are plentiful, much like the blessings we hope to receive in the upcoming year (or in some interpretations, the good deeds we'll do). Sure, you could gift an edible one, but we'll do you one better with these adorable pomegranate dishes for the home.

GABROC Salt Cellar Salt Box 2 PCS Salt Container Salt Pig Red Salt Bowl Salt Cellar With Lid Spoon Ceramic Pomegranate Shaped

The Jewish Calendar 2023–2024 (5784) 16-Month Wall Calendar

With Rosh Hashanah marking the start of the Jewish new year, a calendar is a practical gift for the holiday. This 16-month calendar (September 2023 through December 2024) from the Jewish Museum in Amsterdam lists US and Jewish holidays, Shabbat candle-lighting times, and even includes a list of Jewish holidays through the year 2037.

'I Could Nosh: Classic Jew-ish Recipes Revamped for Every Day' by Jake Cohen

I Could Nosh, Jake Cohen's follow-up to his first cookbook, Jew-Ish: Reinvented Recipes from a Modern Mensch, has all the mouthwatering photos, funny quips and, of course, tasty Jewish-inspired dishes that his fans have come to know and love. Inside, you'll find everything from challah braiding how-tos for classic and round varieties with photos illustrating each step, to a helpful index denoting recipes from the book that correspond to the major Jewish holidays (affectionately titled 'Holidays of Our Lives'), and even a full-page photo featuring an oven mitt printed with the faces of icons Ina Garten and Barbra Streisand.

Notable recipe highlights include: Apples & Honey Snacking Cake, Kosher for Passover Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Kasha Varnishkes for every season. With a mix of everyday meals and holiday recipes, this is the perfect Rosh Hashanah gift for your foodie friend or family member.

Note: This title is available for pre-order now and will be released on September 12, 2023.

Amusable Pomegranate Plush Toy

While they may not yet be old enough to enjoy honey, the littlest ones on your gift list can get in on the holiday celebrations by cuddling with this adorable (and affordable) pomegranate plush for their first Rosh Hashanah.

Peri Apple Beaded Mats

The loved one who always has you over for the High Holidays will kvell over this set of two table mats from Adara Rituals. Each one is hand beaded and adorned with a gold leaf made from glass beads and sequins.

Judiaca Storage Jar

A honey jar makes for a thoughtful Rosh Hashanah hostess gift, and this gorgeous porcelain set from Spode comes in a classic blue-and-white, floral pattern with Stars of David. Your gift recipient will surely pull this beauty out year after year.

'New Fruit, New You!' Rosh Hashanah Greeting Card

It's traditional to eat "new fruit" on the second night of Rosh Hashanah, which just means something you haven't tasted since it was last in season. This cute Rosh Hashanah card is a play on that, combined with the "new year, new you" sentiment often expressed in reference to a clean slate at the start of the year.

Artisanal Honey Book 6-Piece Gift Set

Honey jars for Rosh Hashanah don't get better than this. Send this 'Book of Honey' from Savannah Bee Company to any loved ones who you can't see in person this year, to wish them "Shana Tova."

Rosh Hashanah Cards

Get all of your Rosh Hashanah greetings sent out in style with this boxed set of six colorful cards.

Jewish Holiday Wall Calendar

Who among us hasn't Googled, "When is [insert Jewish holiday] this year?" This modern, minimalist Jewish wall art features illustrations and dates for the major holidays in the Hebrew calendar year 5784 — beginning with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Tu B'Av in 2024.

Honey Bear Marzipan Cookies

Wish your loved ones Shana Tova with these sweet marzipan cookies. They're vegan, gluten-free, and certified kosher — and they might just be the cutest Rosh Hashanah treats we've ever seen.

The Marzipops Etsy shop has more than 450 five-star ratings, including this glowing review: "Gave this to my daughter in law the last time we visited. The presentation is obviously wonderful but she flipped on the taste...she told me I better leave a review and let everybody know how wonderful the marzipan cookies are. I will definitely buy them again...and again."

'Rosh Hashanah Is Coming!' Board Book

Teach young children about the meaning behind Rosh Hashanah and its many traditions with this educational board book, part of Tracy Newman's popular series intended to introduce little ones to Jewish life.

Blood Orange Dark Chocolate Covered Date Nibbles

We've covered apples and pomegranates, but dates are another traditional fruit enjoyed on Rosh Hashanah. These dark chocolate-covered diced date bites have blood orange flavoring for even more fruit action. They're organic, vegan, and kosher.

Pomegranate Bread Knife

A designated challah knife is a staple in many Jewish families. For a splurge-worthy Rosh Hashanah gift, consider this gorgeous option from Michael Aram, which features an intricate handle complete with a gold pomegranate.

Rosh Hashanah in a Box

This unique Rosh Hashanah gift idea comes from Days United, a company that makes customizable, family-friendly subscription boxes for diverse holidays. The boxes include crafts, recipes, and other interactive activities to help kids learn about their culture.

"My kids (ages 4 to 8) and I really look forward to our Days United box for the Jewish holidays. Not only do the boxes us get into the holiday spirit, they also bring us together and encourage us to talk about the significance of the day," writes one 5-star reviewer.

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