Inexpensive Electric Menorah in London?
November 21, 2013 6:11 PM Subscribe
So you're Jewish and homesick and in London and all you want for your Chanukah miracle is an inexpensive electric menorah. How can this be achieved?
I'm asking this for a friend who goes to school in London and has been all a-tizzy about the difficulty of finding an affordable electric menorah for the past few days. Apparently they don't appear to exist for less than 50 pounds. I think her budget is something more like 25 pounds, preferably less, and she can't pay for shipping and she needs it, of course, before the first night (that's the 28th.)
I asked her why she couldn't go oldschool and use regular candles (not even a menorah, but just 9 tea lights) and she said her housing has a no candles rule and she's scared to even try because her smoke alarms are very sensitive. So then I mentioned LED candles to her, but she doesn't know where to buy those. Also, they might be over her budget? I did a little bit of online investigation, but it's hard for me to tell if things are actually available in person. M&S, for example, has no LED candles on their website. Are they something that isn't common in the UK?
Basically, can you help my friend get her flame-free Chanukah on?
I'm asking this for a friend who goes to school in London and has been all a-tizzy about the difficulty of finding an affordable electric menorah for the past few days. Apparently they don't appear to exist for less than 50 pounds. I think her budget is something more like 25 pounds, preferably less, and she can't pay for shipping and she needs it, of course, before the first night (that's the 28th.)
I asked her why she couldn't go oldschool and use regular candles (not even a menorah, but just 9 tea lights) and she said her housing has a no candles rule and she's scared to even try because her smoke alarms are very sensitive. So then I mentioned LED candles to her, but she doesn't know where to buy those. Also, they might be over her budget? I did a little bit of online investigation, but it's hard for me to tell if things are actually available in person. M&S, for example, has no LED candles on their website. Are they something that isn't common in the UK?
Basically, can you help my friend get her flame-free Chanukah on?
Response by poster: Right, but amazon.co.uk shipping is completely nuts.
posted by Mizu at 6:16 PM on November 21, 2013
posted by Mizu at 6:16 PM on November 21, 2013
LED tealights are the most common. 12 for £6.25, next day postage; good luck!
posted by lokta at 6:18 PM on November 21, 2013
posted by lokta at 6:18 PM on November 21, 2013
I have Prime with free shipping. If you memail me the address, I'll see how much the shipping is.
posted by michellenoel at 6:19 PM on November 21, 2013
posted by michellenoel at 6:19 PM on November 21, 2013
I think lokta has it!
posted by michellenoel at 6:20 PM on November 21, 2013
posted by michellenoel at 6:20 PM on November 21, 2013
If she's near a synagogue with a gift shop (I don't know if that's common over there like it is in the US), she can check there - if they don't have one they may be able to source one for her.
posted by SisterHavana at 9:58 PM on November 21, 2013
posted by SisterHavana at 9:58 PM on November 21, 2013
Has she tried ringing or visiting JW3, the Jewish cultural centre?
posted by tavegyl at 10:25 PM on November 21, 2013
posted by tavegyl at 10:25 PM on November 21, 2013
I imagine a shopping trip to Golders Green would do it.
posted by penguin pie at 5:16 AM on November 22, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by penguin pie at 5:16 AM on November 22, 2013 [1 favorite]
Here is a store in NY that has battery operated menorahs.
Perhaps your friend can call them and arrange for shipping. Not inexpensive. But may hit her budget of 25 pounds. (They have a battery operated one for $25, so if it's under $15 for shipping, it's in her price range.)
Golders Green is the shopping district for Judaica, so there's a chance they may have one there.
I'm appreciating the wee endcap of Channuka stuff at my grocery store now!
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 6:16 AM on November 22, 2013
Perhaps your friend can call them and arrange for shipping. Not inexpensive. But may hit her budget of 25 pounds. (They have a battery operated one for $25, so if it's under $15 for shipping, it's in her price range.)
Golders Green is the shopping district for Judaica, so there's a chance they may have one there.
I'm appreciating the wee endcap of Channuka stuff at my grocery store now!
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 6:16 AM on November 22, 2013
I am so sorry to suggest this, but it is the traditional "menorah in a pinch" solution:
1/ Go to IKEA. Buy a Strala 7-armed candelabra.
2/ Unscrew the bulbs you don't need.
posted by DarlingBri at 6:35 AM on November 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
1/ Go to IKEA. Buy a Strala 7-armed candelabra.
2/ Unscrew the bulbs you don't need.
posted by DarlingBri at 6:35 AM on November 23, 2013 [1 favorite]
Maybe head to the strong Jewish communities in North London? Lots of shops there.
There was also a Menorah lighting in Trafalgar Square today. If your friend is down there, maybe someone would be able to give a personal recommendation?
Finally: there is eBay.co.uk
posted by troytroy at 11:56 AM on November 28, 2013
There was also a Menorah lighting in Trafalgar Square today. If your friend is down there, maybe someone would be able to give a personal recommendation?
Finally: there is eBay.co.uk
posted by troytroy at 11:56 AM on November 28, 2013
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