On Chanukah we are allowed to work. There are no restrictions on any activity.
There is a custom for women not to do any housework while the Chanukah candles are burning.

What kind of light

It is preferable to use oil to light, especially olive oil, but regular candles are also OK. Electric candles are not acceptable and a person does not fulfill the mitzvah of Chanukah lights with them.

What kind of menorah

The menorah can be of any design and shape as long as all the candles are placed at the same height and in a straight line. The custom is to use a menorah with 9 candles – 8 candles for the 8 days of Chanukah and 1 candle, a “shamash” to light the other candles. Usually the shamash is positioned separate from the other candles.

How many candles

In reality we need to light only one candle per night for eight nights. But the custom is to add one candle each night (so, on the 2nd night, light two; on the 3rd night, light three, etc.) in addition to the shamash.

Who is obligated to light

Everyone who lives alone is required to light Chanukah candles.

For a family, the head of the household (usually a husband) lights for everyone. If children want, they can also light. Husband and wife are considered one unit, therefore the wife doesn’t need to light.

Time and place of lighting

The proper time to light is 25-40 minutes after the sunset, which is approximately 4:45-5:00 PM. Lights should burn until about 5:40 PM

A person should try to come home and gather the family at the proper time and light the Chanukah candles. If this is not possible, one should gather the family at the earliest opportunity (for example at 6 or 7 PM) and light Chanukah candles.

If the person has Jewish neighbors or there is a chance that Jews will be passing by, one should light on the window facing the street in order to publicize the miracle. If this is not possible, one should light on the table in the main room where the whole family is gathered.

Blessings

On the first night we say 3 blessings:

1. Boruch Ato Adonoy Eloheinu Melech HaOlom, Asher Kidshanu Bemitzvosav Vetzivanu Lehadlik Ner Shel Chanukah.

2. Boruch Ato Adonoy Eloheinu Melech HaOlom, She’Oso Nisim La’avoseinu Bayomim Ha-hem, Ba-zman Hazeh.

3. Boruch Ato Adonoy Eloheinu Melech HaOlom, Shehecheyonu, Vekimonu, Vehigiyonu Lazman Hazeh.

On the subsequent nights the 3rd blessing is omitted.

The procedure of lighting

First light the “shamash”
Holding “shamash” in your hand say appropriate blessings
Light the candle(s)
Put “shamash” in its place.

On the first night we light the candle on the right (when viewed from the street it is the leftmost candle)
On the second night we light the candle which is on the left from the place of yesterday’s candle and then we light the candle in the place of yesterday’s candle. Each night we light the leftmost candle and then the candles of the previous nights, in order.

Once the menorah is lit, we don’t move it.
If a candle was lit and it went out, one is not obligated to relight it. But if one wishes, one can do so.

If one is invited for a Chanukah party or other event, upon returning home one is obligated to light Chanukah lights at home even if the host were lighting them at the party.

During the week of Chanukah if there is a Jewish gathering (even not related to Chanukah) a Chanukah menorah should be lit in the place where everybody is present (but without the blessings)

If one is traveling through the night and is unable to light, one should instruct his wife or any other adult to light on his behalf.

Lighting before and after Shabbos

On Friday night one lights the Chanukah menorah before one lights Shabbos candles. Since this time is much earlier than during the week, one should add more oil or use extra long candles so that the candles will burn from before sunset till 30 minutes after the nightfall (approx. 1h. 30 min.)

After the Shabbos is over, one lights the Havdalah candle first and then Chanukah menorah.

What to do with used wicks

After wicks are used, they should be either burned, or wrapped and then put in the garbage. They should not be placed in the garbage without a wrapper.

Customs of the holiday

There is a custom to give gifts to children and Chanukah gelt.
There is a custom to eat oily foods, e.g. latkes, doughnuts.
There is a custom to eat dairy foods.

On Chanuka we say:
Happy Chanukah or A Freilichen Chanukah!