#hanukkiyah

So, I was not planning to celebrate Hanukkah on my own this year (still working on conversion- this is my first Hanukkah since deciding to convert), and had not planned to purchase a Hanukkiyah yet until my rabbi ok'd it or suggested I should. My wife (who is not Jewish) went out today and did a very sweet and well meaning thing and surprised me by buying me one, but now I feel stuck because it will hurt her feelings if I don't use it. Any advice for this? (Is it ok to light it w/o blessings?)