Hanukah Holdem House Rules, Swingin’ Dreidel Song + Jovoy Paris Les Jeux Sont Faits Fragrance Draw

Kenny Ellis sings his hit single "Swingin' Dreidel" from his Hanukkah Swings! Album

It’s been a tradition here at CaFleureBon to do a Hanukah (or Hannukah, or Chanukah…take your pick) fragrance post since 2010, and I was thrilled when Michelyn asked me to write this year’s because Hanukkah is the coolest.  Think about it…when else do you get a religious holiday that promotes gambling?

playing with a dreidel in the reform temple Beth El. Providence, R.I., 1955. Photograph by Burt Glinn

Playing with a dreidel in the Reform Temple Beth El. Providence, R.I., 1955. Photograph by Burt Glinn

Okay, maybe I exaggerate a little.  Although playing dreidel, a game not unlike rolling dice, the rules for which plus yet another spelling of Hannukah can be found here) is an important tradition, for normal people it is not the point of the holiday.  It is the Festival of Lights, celebrating the miracle of the Maccabees, who were able to use one’s day oil for lighting the Temple when it was under siege by the bad guys for eight nights, what are the odds on that happening). But I come from a long line of gamblers.

Both of my grandmothers won $50,000 jackpots (from the Irish sweepstakes and Atlantic City, not playing dreidel).  My father likes to brag about his days of making book before he met my good girl mother and settled down.   Multigenerational family vacations are planned around the availability of casinos.  So I suppose it’s not a surprise that we take dreidel very seriously at my house.

hanukah dreidel and gelt

As a result, we’ve had to come up with some house rules.  I share them in the hopes that they will help you grow your pile of Hanukah gelt (“gold” coins made of chocolate, the traditional stakes in a game of dreidel) into a nest egg that will last you until next Halloween.

  1.  Do not let Uncle Richard supply the dreidel.  It shocked me to learn this because Hanukah is a religious holiday, but yes, they make “loaded” dreidels.
  2. If some of the players have not gone to Hebrew school, post the meaning of the rolls in English beforehand.  I also wasn’t thrilled to learn that my then seven year old daughter was totally scamming me by switching the meanings of nun–just like it sounds–and gimel–this one means take the whole pot; we remember it now by thinking of it as “gimme.”  The other two possibilities are hei, which means you take half the pot, or shin, which means you must put gelt in.
  3. No matter what else you do, never ever turn your back on the twins. (Ten year old boys; we spent one holiday with most of the adults searching the house for one of them while I called Poison Control Center about the other one.)

Rat Pack Sinatra, Martin, Davis Jr, Lawford, Bishop at the sands

The Rat Pack: Frank, Dean, Sammy, Peter and Joey ie the Rat Pack at the Sands Hotel in Vegas

Since Hanukah is so closely tied to gambling in my mind, when asked to pick a fragrance that embodies the holiday, I immediately thought of Jovoy Paris’ Les Jeux Sont Faits (the name loosely translates as The Chips Are Down).  According to the Jovoy website, the scent’s inspiration was Michel Audiard’s 1960s gambling movies, but it makes me think immediately of the Rat Pack.  This then makes me annoyed that Adam Sandler left Sammy Davis, Jr. out of the various versions of the Hannukah song, especially since he mentions him in the Thanksgiving Song.  This year you can play the Thanksgiving Song as the Hannukah song because the second day is on the same night.  The last time that happened was 1888, which are odds approximately as long as the Giants getting in the Super Bowl this year.

lesjeuxsont faits jovoyhanukkah dreidel looks like the eiffel tower

 

Doesn't thisDreidel look like the Eiffel Tower …Joyeux Hanoucca!

But I can’t stay upset for long while wearing Les Jeux Sont Faits (2013, Dorothee Piot).  It opens with a cool minty blast of angelica and juniper that is perfect for both a winter holiday and the image of men standing around a baccarat table with dry martinis.   (I wonder if the Rat Pack ever played dreidel.  If so I bet Frank Sinatra won).

baccarat table sinatra

Frank Sinatra at the Baccarat table at the Sands Hotel

Les Jeux  Sont Faits then morphs into a pleasantly hazy mix of tobacco, leather, sandalwood, patchouli and cumin that evokes players loosening their ties and their tongues as the alcohol takes its effect.  As time goes on, vanilla and fruit warm and sweeten it like a streak of luck.  I don’t know whether it’s true or not that “Luck Be A Lady” but while this scent is undeniably masculine, it works well for women too.

Disclosure: Fragrance review was based on a purchased sample.

Thanks to François Hénin of Jovoy Paris, we have a full bottle draw for Les Jeux Sonts Faits, open to CaFleureBon readers worldwide.  To enter, please comment on what your favorite part of Hanukah is, your favorite spelling of the holiday, or what your favorite game of chance is. If you have a favorite member of the Rat Pack or Jovoy Paris Perfume add that too. Draw ends November 29, 2013.

Nancy Knows, Contributor and EIC of the fragrance blog Make Perfume Not War.

Art and music direction: Michelyn Camen Editor in Chief of Cafleurebon.

We announce the winners only onsite and on our Facebook page, so Like CaFleureBon and use our RSS option…..or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


66 comments

  • I didn’t actually know that was how dreidel is played. Interesting!
    I have to say, the “Hanukkah” spelling looks correct to me, probably because that’s how I learned to spell it..

    Thanks for the draw and Happy Holidays!

  • Chris Schaefer says:

    Poker would be my game but playing the dreidel is intriguing. Happy holidays to all and thanks for the draw.

    I’m in the US.

  • My favorite part of Hanukah is lighting candles, favorite spelling of the holiday is Hanukah, and my favorite game of chance is Tonk. Happy Holidays!

  • I always wondered what the fuss was about with the dreidel! A gambling game! I thought it was just used by children as an alternative to dice. I did not realise the cultural significance of the annual flutter! Just like my grandmother, devout catholic that she was, who would never gamble, “That’s the Devil’s ticket office!”, except for once a year on the Grand National, one of us would be sent down with a wager and strict instructions on which nag to place it. The tip was always via the local priest, an enabler if ever I met one! I haven’t had the luck to try any Jovoy perfumes, so here is hoping that the dreidel lands in my favour! Happy Hannukah!

  • My favorite part of Hanukah is potato latkes. Mmmm.
    Thank you for the wonderful draw and have a happy Hanukah!

  • I am as non Jewish as it gets but I love Hanukkah decorations almost more than Christmas decorations. My DH and I used to go look at holiday decorations in Baltimore when we still lived in the DC-Baltimore area and my favorite was the Hanukkah house in Park Heights. It was all decked out in blue, white and gold lights with stars, a big dreidel on the front, and Happy Hanukah written across it in lights. I still miss seeing it.

  • Ok – not real gambling but I love those machines that push pennies (or quarters) over the edge but only if the coin falls correctly onto the metal base. Have no idea what this game is called 🙂 Happy holidays!

  • I adore song “That’s amore” by Dean. My favorite game of chance is Baccarat.
    Thanks for the draw!

  • Having lived in Las Vegas for a number of years, my favorite “game of chance” was placing parlay bets for football. I played the half point cards exclusively and it made weekends so much more exciting, especially if I had seven games going (which paid 1,000/1).

    I won a number of times, anywhere between $700 and $1200, but just missed $10,000 on a $100 bet once – my own team doing me in by not covering the spread. It’s amazing how close the oddsmakers can be sometimes.

  • That dreidel is a lovely piece of art I think!
    The only gambling I ever indulge in is to pick (usually non-winning) horses for the Melbourne Cup.
    Happy Hanuka!

  • I spell it Hanukkah, and one of my favorite things about the holiday is the song I’m Spending Hanukkah in Santa Monica.

  • Ii have no idea how to play baccarat, but if Ol’ Blue Eyes played it, it has to be a terrific game.

    Thank you for the wonderful draw!

  • Singing “Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel, I made it out of clay!” and challah bread french toast! Happy Chanukah! This is a special Chanukah Thanksgiving!

  • My favorite game of chance is gin…and of course Frankie is my favorite Rat Pack member…but do I have to choose just one? Love Dean Martin’s “On an Evening in Roma” and Sammy Davis Jr.’s “Something’s Gotta Give”.

  • Thanks for the draw! My favourite spelling is “Hanukkah” and I don’t have a best game of chance but now I really want to try dreidel after reading this.

  • I have a lot of favorites for Hanukah, and they all involve eating latkes and sour cream! Actually the best part for me is the last night when all the candles on the Menorah are lit.
    I always loved Sammy most.
    Thanks for the draw! I live in the US.

  • What I love is the lighting of the candles and I usually play poker or black jack!
    Thanks for the draw!

  • My favorite spelling is Chanukah. If I had to pick a favorite member it would be Dean Martin. (Still … Swoon :-D) I really love the movie 8 crazy nights… I know not directly related to a particular Chanukah tradition but it’s what came to mind & I love it. Thanks for the draw…. I am in the US.

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    this is my first time being introduced to Dreidel and the fact that some has gambling-related memories when it comes to Hanukkah. my favorite Jovoy fragrance is Gardez Moi which i first thought had been inspired by Gardez in Afghanistan until someone corrected me that Gardez is a French word. I am based in the US

  • My favourite game of chance is Monopoly. Dices and Cards. But in the casual and family game. I have Jovoy’s La Liturgie des Heures with me. And I absolutely LOVE it! (have to say)

    I’m in Thailand. Thanks for the draw!

  • We don’t celebrate Hanukah in Poland but my favorite game of chance is probably a roulette, I like watching the spinning wheel (I don’t gamble myself)
    My favorite perfume in Jovoy line is Ambre Premier and I’m curious to try Rouge Assasin as well.

    Thanks for the draw. I live in Poland.

  • My favourite game of chance is blackjack. It’s more relaxed than other games and has better odds than most.
    My favourite from the rat pack is Dino.
    ty

  • My favorite part of Chanukah is the dinner (latkes!) and celebration at our synagogue. I don’t have a favorite spelling. I probably spell it differently each time I write it. As for Jovoy, I like Gardez Moi quite a lot, and the last time I tried La Liturgie des Heures I was very tempted to buy it.

  • My favorite part of Hanukah is the decorations (being not too familiar with the tradition itself). I have always loved 21…as a child I have many fond memories of my dad teaching me to play it! Thanks for the draw.

  • Well, because it’s so timely this week, I’ll have to go with ThanksHanukkah. Lol

    I like many Jovoy perfumes, especially L’Enfant Terrible and La Liturgie des Heures. I’m eager to try Les Jeux Sonts Faits. Thank you for the generous draw.

  • My favorite part of Hanukkah is the lighting of the candles. I really like L’Enfant Terrible (own a bottle, in fact), but would like to try Les Jeux Sonts Faits. Happy holidays all!

  • I’ve never celebrated a Hanukkah, so I don’t know what would be my favorite part. My favorite Jovoy fragrance is L’Arbre de la Connassaince.
    Thanks for the draw!

  • My favorite thing about hanukah is latkes, and lighting the menorah. Not much of a drediel player, thanks for the tips.
    happy Hanukkah, Chanukah, Hanukah

  • As Hannukah is pretty much an unknown holiday in Spain, where I come from, I can’t comment much on it apart that I seem to prefer the Channukah spelling.
    My favourite game of chance is the lottery! I play every week, as I have a very long to-buy fragrance list 🙂
    I very much like the hippie patchouli of Psychedelique.
    Thanks for the draw!

  • I love Chanukah and what a fun post. My favorite Jovoy Paris fragrance is enfant terrible and I have to make a note to listen to the Thanksgiving song. I do like Sammy Davis so shame on Adam Sandler on leaving him out. Happy holidays!

  • I was trying to think about my favorite game of chance and I saw someone mention gin. I used to play that with my grandma all the time when I’d visit my grandparents. We’d sit around for a few hours and just play cards. It wasn’t particularly exciting, but I remember how happy and content I’d feel just playing cards. Our family still plays cards quite often. Euchre is another one I love, although it’s less a game of chance and does require some skill.

  • What an interesting sounding scent. Majong is a fun gambling game! I don’t 100% understand all of the rules, but it has been fun each time I’ve played.

    Thanks for the draw, I live in the US

  • I love the Dreidel and remember the “I Have a Little Dreidel” song from childhood. Sammy Davis, Jr. is my favorite of the Rat Pack as he is unadulterated entertainer. Actor, comedian singer, and dancer; he had it all. I am in the US.

  • I’m not Jewish, but some of my favorite people are… and I have to say that my favorite part of the holiday is seeing how happy and joyful they are!

    Loved reading this… it made me think, and it made me laugh. It also made me VERY curious! I always spell it “Hanukkah” — two Ks — but I don’t know if that’s right! 🙂

    I live in the U.S., and wish everyone a blessed festival of lights, no matter how they spell it!

  • I do not have any fav part of holiday – I do not know Jewish people and customs very well, but I think that lightning of candles and singing songs is great and festive way to celebrate holiday. Spelling: chanuka (in Slovak language – we spell it with that “ch” sound at the beginning which does not exist in English pronounciation). Happy Holidays!

  • I grew up in a non-religious Jewish family and so, with no irony, have to say my favorite thing about Chanukah (?) was the family “Holiday Tree” (aka Christmas Tree). My mom hung a dreidel on the tree!

    Les Jeux Sont Faits sounds heavenly. Thanks for the draw & Happy Thanksgiving/Hanukkah!

  • leathermountain says:

    My favorite part of Hannukah is watching the candles burn down and flicker out. I’m in the US.

  • My favourite game is poker, even I’m not very good!
    I know some Jovoy fragances. My favourites are Rouge assassin and La liturgie des heures. Iwould like to try this one! I’m in Europe.

  • Chapeau Clack says:

    Although I do observe holidays for their spiritual meaning, I have to confess that my favorite part is the food and being able to gather the whole family at the table. Since my Mom decided she hates cooking a few years ago, my house has become the primary venue for family reunions. Unfortunately, this year we are celebrating away from home and there’s going to be a very modest Hanukkah/Thanksgiving dinner with no extended family present and no turkey either. I am going to make some mean latkes from my grandma’s secret recipe and light as many candles as I can though.
    Thanks for the draw. I’m in Asia for the time being.

  • hotlanta linda says:

    I need a Dreidel w/ turkeys on it – to have a memory of this historic holiday collaboration!! 🙂 🙂 Where is a good online site to buy one from??

  • My favourite game is blackjack!! A combination of brains and luck!! Always get super excited when I play it!!!

  • My favorite game of chance? Love. I keep getting burned, yet I can’t help coming back for more. And my favorite Rat Pack member was always Dino! Smooooth, and funny.

  • We are not religious so we don’t light the menorah (candelabra) but I love the look of burning candelabras. The Chanukah ‘story’ is not nearly as clear-cut as tradition would have it…but I’ll not get into that here. I prefer the ‘Ch’ spelling as ‘H’ always makes me think its an open vowel sound whereas, in Hebrew, it is actually a guttural sound from the back of the throat.

  • Another vote for blackjack and Dean Martin. This scent sounds wonderful. Thanks for a game of chance to win this! I live in the U.S.

  • Roulette is my favorite game of chance. This was a great article, Happy Hannukah to all! I’m in the US.

  • My vote is for Dean Martin as my favorite and my favorite game is roulette. I live in the US, thanks for another awesome draw.

  • I’m not Jewish but my aunt married a Jewish man and when we were younger we got to celebrate a few times with my cousins. I loved the beauty of the rituals and hearing the Hebrew songs and recitations and prayers. My favorite rat pack member will always be Frank – long live ol’ blue eyes! There will never be another like him. I live in the US. Thank you!

  • Roulette seems to be the most exciting for me. I prefer name Hanukkah, people here usually use it. As I love swing, I’ve listened Hanukkah Swings! album many times and I know, I’ll listen it again. I haven’t tried all the Jovoy’s perfumes but I love La Liturgie des Heures a lot.

  • I have never played to any game with money, but I would like to try this scent. From Jovoy I love l’enfant terrible !
    (international)

  • I can remember my first hanukkah back in my native country, I was about 7 or 8 years old. We celebrated it but I can’t remember if we light the candles (where we come from, jewish culture was very repressed), but we did celebrate it with a nice dinner. Also, my family would give me money as a gift of the holiday. It wasn’t until we came to america that we began to enjoy celebrating Hanukkah freely to its fullest; it enjoy it.

    Happy Hanukkah!

    USA

  • I love the smell of orange and spices during the holidays. When we go to Australia to visit my husband’s family, I love to go to the pubs and bet on the races. I choose strictly by how appealing the horse’s name is.

  • My favorite game of chance would have to be roulette. I always seem to get lucky in it haha. Thanks for the draw!

  • Betting on sports has to be my favorite game of chance! Just the thrill of watching your team when there’s money on the line!

  • any holiday, to me, means special gatherings of family. what better way to spend them. game of chance? slot machines! more like games of luck.
    favorite rat packer was always sammy davis jr. jack of all trades, master of all!
    side note; even if i don’t win, the beauty of this bottle alone was worth the try.
    thank you!
    U.S.A.