Hanukkah is celebrated over eight nights, which gives a group plenty of evenings to choose from and plenty of ways to collide with other plans. Relatives live in different cities, some people have a night they already keep for their own household, and school, work and other December events compete for the rest. A quick look at who is free on which night makes it much easier to settle on a gathering.
How Commonhour works for Hanukkah gatherings
Create a plan with the evenings you're considering, and paint start times for each, since a Hanukkah gathering usually happens at a particular hour. Use All day if you're only choosing a day.
Share one link in the family or friend group chat. Everyone opens it in their browser and taps the times they're free. No account, no app.
Watch the ranked list fill in. The times that work for the most people rise to the top, with a note of who can't make each one.
Pick a time and send the calendar invite to everyone who's free, so it's on their calendars and not just in the chat.
What it works for
Family Hanukkah gatherings. Find an evening that works for relatives from different households before anyone makes other plans.
Gatherings with friends. Choose an evening that most of the group can make, whether it's a small dinner or a larger get-together.
Community and congregation events. Pick a time that fits the most members of a synagogue group, club or neighborhood circle.
Workplace or school celebrations. Find a lunch or evening that fits the most people on the team or in the class.
Tips for a better turnout
You choose which evenings to offer. Commonhour doesn't assume any dates. Offer the nights your group is considering and let people show what works.
Offer two or three options, not eight. A short list gets faster answers in a busy month.
Ask early. Travel and time off need lead time, so the sooner the evening is settled, the better.
Calendar invites are free, always. Google Calendar, Outlook, or an .ics file, with everyone who's free already added as a guest.
What it doesn't do yet
Commonhour finds the day or time. It isn't an invitation page: it doesn't collect RSVPs, dish sign-ups or gift lists, or split costs. Without an account a plan takes up to 12 responses; sign in with a free account to go past it.
Hanukkah gathering scheduling questions
Can I offer several evenings and see which works best?
Yes. Add the evenings you're considering and let people tap the times they're free. The ranked list shows which one works for the most people, and who can't make each one.
Does everyone need an account?
No. They open the link and tap the times they're free, with nothing to install. Without an account a plan takes up to 12 responses; sign in with a free account to go past it.
Can I use it to choose a time on the evening?
Yes. Offer a few start times, such as an early dinner or a later get-together, and see which fits the most people.
Is the calendar invite free?
Yes. Sending the calendar invite is free, with Google Calendar, Outlook or an .ics file, and everyone who said they're free is already added as a guest.