A dreidel, or sevivon, is a spinning top with four sides. During the eight days of Chanukah children of all ages play dreidel games. Chanukah is the Jewish holiday that usually falls in the month of December. Most people are familiar with this holiday as it falls around the same time as Christmas.

On each of the four dreidel sides there is a Hebrew letter, Nun, Gimel, Heh, and Shin. These letters represent the initials of the phrase "Nes Gadol Hayah Sham" which means "A Great Miracle Happened There". However, on an Israeli dreidel the Shin is changed to a Pey, and the phrase becomes "Nes Gadol Hayah Po", or "A Great Miracle Happened Here". The miracle referred to is the miracle of Chanukah, when a quantity of oil that should have only lasted one day miraculously lasted for eight.

Dreidels are given to children as gifts during the holiday. During a Chanukah party or at any time during the holiday groups of four to six people spin the top hoping to win a prize. Depending on which side the top falls on, a player may win a prize or face a penalty. Dreidel and dreidel games have been the inspiration for many children's songs.