Rabbi Benayahu Shmueli, in his work 'Yime Hanukah', presents a list of materials that should preferably be used for the Hanukah Menorah, in descending order of preference. The highest standard of performing the Misva, he writes, is to use a solid gold Menorah. Obviously, such Menorahs are not generally affordable, but Rabbi Benayahu writes that he has seen and heard of some pious individuals who make a point of using a solid gold Menora for the Hanukah candle lighting.
The next level is a silver Menorah, which, of course, is far more common. Rav Haim Palagi (Turkey, 1788-1869) writes, "Fortunate is the one who is privileged to make the Hanukah lamp from silver." Especially nowadays, when silver Menorahs are affordable, it is preferable to obtain a silver Menorah, if one is able to do so.
The third level of preference is copper that resembles gold, and the fourth level is reddish copper. Following copper, the preferred materials are – in descending order of preference – iron, tin, lead, glass, wood, bone, chinaware (meaning, glazed earthenware), plain earthenware, pomegranate peel, walnut peel, and oak.
One should not use a broken earthenware utensil, or a glass holder that is chipped, as this is disrespectful to the Misva. It is also improper to use a lemon peel or onion peel as a holder for the candle, as this denigrates the Misva.
Hacham Ovadia Yosef, in his work Hazon Ovadia, writes that one should make a point of using some kind of utensil for the Hanukah candles. Meaning, one should not simply attach candles in a row onto tin foil, for example, and light them. Although one who lights in this fashion fulfills the Misva, one should make a point of using a utensil of some sort for the lighting, as is the widespread custom.
Many children bring home cute, simple Menorahs that they made in school. These Menorahs should not be used for the Misva of Hanukah candle lighting. As we have seen, one should use a proper, aesthetically pleasing Menorah in order to glorify the Misva, and a Menorah made in school by a young child certainly does not satisfy this requirement. It should also be mentioned that according to Sephardic custom, only one set of candles is lit each night of Hanukah, and everyone in the household fulfills the Misva through that lighting. Therefore, it is improper to have children light their own candles, as this provides incorrect training for the proper performance of the Misva. Hence, while parents may and should certainly compliment their young children on the Menorahs they make in school, these Menorahs should not be used on Hanukah.
Summary: It is proper to use a Menorah for the Hanukah candle lighting, as opposed to simply attaching candles to tin foil and the like. The highest standard of performing the Misva is to use a gold Menorah, though it is more common, and feasible, to use a silver Menorah, and those who can afford a silver Menorah should use one for the Misva. After silver, it is preferable to use – in descending order of preference – copper, iron, tin, lead, glass, wood, bone and chinaware. A Menorah made by a schoolchild should not be used for the Misva of the Hanukah candle lighting.
