So it’s nearly Purim and the excitement in my house is rising every day. We just finalized our family costume (you’ll have to wait and follow on instagram to see), and my mind is bubbling over with ideas for Mishloach Manot.
Depending on what neighborhood you inhabit, these gifts also can be called “shalach munis” or simply Purim treats. It’s more than mere “tradition” to give goodies to friends and family. The practice of giving food – specifically two different types — was mandated as a mitzvah at the suggestion of Queen Esther (you’ll find it in the Megillah), and we’re still obeying to this day. I like to go out of my way to give Mishloach Manot to people I just met or to new friends: it’s a great opportunity to break the ice with new neighbors too.
When it comes to your goodie basket, you can go from cheap and cheerful…
8 Sporty Themed Mishloach Manot
to expensive, exotic, and personalized…
Jamie’s Philly Faves Mishloach Manot
The only things that limit you are your imagination and your wallet.
Now don’t stress out over this. Technically, you only have to give to one person, not your whole town, but chances are you’ll want to do more. I’ve been there, believe me.
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If I was asked to define Purim, I guess you could say that on a very superficial level …
Exhibit A — the easy way: The first year I was married, I borrowed (ok, stole) the easiest Purim idea from a friend. I sent cute little boxes filled with purple yummy stuff along with a card wishing everyone a “Grape Purim!”
Exhibit B – the hard way: When we moved into our house in Spring Valley, Purim fell on erev Shabbos. I made an individual challah roll, a quart of fresh chicken soup and added a small bottle of grape juice for 60 families – yes, 60 – in our new neighborhood. Let me tell you, that was a little intense and a lot crazy.
Overboard, yes, but I was on the right track because there is something special about giving a homemade treat. But I’ve made a solemn promise to myself (and to my husband, to keep our household peaceful) that if I go this route, I’ll do it with a lot of planning and forethought. No last minute panic. So here are few of my favorite homemade treats you can make ahead and send to all your friends within a themed basket.
Option 1: English Tea Time Shalach Manos
Homemade jam is so easy to make, so (literally) sweet, and a perfect way to use up all those bits of frozen berries in your freezer. You can package homemade jam and some biscuits, crackers, scones or English muffins (you can buy all of these) and a box of tea. To that end, I present you with a recipe for Homemade Mixed Berry Jam.
Option 2: Movie Night theme
You get to satisfy all your cravings for Twizzlers, soda, and popcorn. But not just any popcorn: we’re talking homemade, gourmet Maple Almond Popcorn. Don’t worry – it’s truly quick and has only 3 ingredients and so easy you’ll do it again and again.
More purim treats you can make for your Mishloach Manot:
- Caramelized Crispy Bark
- Asian Popcorn Medley
- Dilly Lemon Munch Popcorn
- Cocoa Nib Brittle
- Raspberry Lemonade Marshmallows
- White Chocolate Bark
- Brown Sugared Nuts
- Ginger Spicy Nuts
- Toffee Crunch
- Homemade Granola
- Goldfish Crackers
- Honeycomb Chocolate Bars
While you are making all of that to send out on Purim, be sure to allow yourself a taste for quality control.
Don’t you know that every good cook takes a taste before the goods leave the kitchen?
And the winner is….
CHANI! not because we share the same name (my Hebrew name is actually Channah!) but because she gave me the entire kit and caboodle ticket and all! I am so sorry that everyone couldn’t win – some of the entries were so fantastic I wish wish wish I could give prizes to all as this competition was especially personal and dear to my heart. Thank you SO much for all your comments and poems, ideas and rhymes. And if you didn’t win, don’t fret. On this blog Purim is the holiday that just keeps on giving – so we are continuing our giveaway streak with a $100 gift basket from Oh! Nuts, enter here:
http://blog.kosher.com/2011/03/16/purim-confessions-win-an-oh-nuts-gift-basket/
As a religious school teacher I relish any site like yours that provide info,
recipes and fine foods that represent our fine heritage!!
what a delightful website
The Purim Story coming to Shushan
starring: Esther, the Jewish beauty with her agent, Uncle Mordechai
Achahsvarus
Hamon,just hanging around
supporting role Vashti
hamantachen will be sold in the lobby.
It would be nice to win
This looks wonderful. Good luck everybody..
exodus movement of jah people
Admit One
It’s not about Attila the Hun
Ancient Ruins
Kings Tombs
Only in Egypt
the Sphinx looms
Shushan Theater: Admit one.
We’re glad to see you here.
“The Purim Story,” two thumbs up,
The best film of the year!
The critics called this one a treat,
An instant classic hit,
So sit back, watch the scenes unfold
‘til all the pieces fit.
We packed you up some goodies
To munch for the movie,
We hope you’ll come again next week for
“Egypt: Jews Go Free!”
Alternatively, if you don’t mind a longer poem, you can replace the last paragraph with the following:
The drama’s there, suspense abounds,
You’ll love it, that we know,
We even packed you goodies,
To munch during the show!
So regards from the Gellers,
We hope you’ll come to see
Our next exclusive masterpiece:
“Egypt: Jews Go Free!”
GREAT GIVEAWAY
When life throws you lemons, make lemonade 🙂
Milo johnston
Awesome blog and thanks for the giveaway! Would love, love, LOVE to win this!
=]
As a child, Purim was always
A little frustrating.
Why?
Only one part for girls –
But it was a great one –
Queen Esther.
Now as an adult,
It might be more fun
To play Haman.
Just kidding!
The Kreplach that ate Purim!
ky2here at msn dot com
Here’s a little ditty
About the famous story in Shushan city
A king, a Queen, a bad guy and some Jews
Turned what could have been a disaster into much better news
In order to celebrate this fantastic feat
We share with you his tasty treat
Feel free to munch, crunch and enjoy at will
As you check out this film which has been given the top bill
“The Purim Story” is the first show
and after that “The Exodus from Egypt” is the next to go
Ok, not my best work, but it rhymes 😉
Lights, camera, action! A special blockbuster attraction:
Dim the lights & take a seat for “A Purim story”, what a treat!
It’s curtains to Haman & sons,every one a rogue,a plotter, a fiend
Courtesy of Esther, the secret Jew who was Queened.
And now for a commercial break, drink your soda to stay awake
You won’t want to miss the show that’s coming soon:
The Exodus from Egypt, on Nissan’s full moon.
Don’t cry Poor Im, Poor Im this year. Rather eat and drink kosher with Jamie’s fabulous recipies. Eat healthy, hardy and kosher from Purim through Pesach. Gebroks, no gebroks, it all there in the kosher cook book of the year. Munch and crunch as you go. Hey man watch out for kosher.com’s new recipies, designed to dazzle your tastebuds and brighten your table. Feel liberated and free this Pesach and eat like a King. Try kosher.com.
I would like to win the gift basket because I am in the process of converting and it would be nice to get a little kosher to help me out.
Nice idea Simcha!
In my mind, I was thinking something more old school like this:
http://www.hooverwebdesign.com/free-printables/Printable-Movie-Ticket-Party-Invitations-Template.pdf
You can write out the info and then make photocopies
or this:
http://www.clker.com/inc/svgedit/svg-editor.html?paramurl=/inc/clean.html?id=3152
or this:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/results.aspx?qu=ticket#ai:TC001226519|
in the last 2, you can play around with the text to make it look like you want and then print a bunch.
Here is a microsoft site for ticket templates
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/CT010143606.aspx?tl=2#ai:TC001018557|
Simcha! – don’t I know it…
Chani – just noticed the link to the “admit one” ticket – I was totally envisioning something like that! Just didn’t know where to start looking
I’m sure none of the authors would mind if you decided to incorporate multiple selections. They’re yours to use as you see fit. But, you could always award multiple prizes. 🙂
You can go with a haiku:
The “reel” megillah:
“The Purim Story!” A treat!
(Eat it pre-Pesach.)
{Jonathan}
Guys! I am beside myself here. These are beyond fab and head and shoulders above anything I would have broken my teeth over! Now what to do. Is it wrong to make a booklet with everything???
cute shaloch manos idea!
==========================================================
ADMIT ONE
* Oscar Winner for Best Picture *
The Queen’s Speech:
(or The Queen’s Feasts)
How Esther saved the Jews
And…
Special Sneak Preview!
Gone With the Matzoh:
The Exodus from Egypt
(or The Shechting of the Lambs:
The Pesach Story)
Coming Soon…
========================================================================
You can write the whole thing out on a piece of paper that looks like a ticket! so cute!
http://www.bluemoonscrapbooking.com/SPD/60853–6927634678803235073.jsp
I get really excited about these things 🙂
We hope you enjoy these manot which we send
It’s an honor to know you and call you a friend.
And just like Queen Esther who lived long ago,
May our love for our People continue to grow.
We hope you enjoy this light snack as you view
Your favorite movie, perhapse even two.
A movie of Purim would be apropos.
It’s the story of Esther who lived long ago
But if in the listings of movies on cable,
You try hard to find it but still aren’t able.
You finally give up though so hard you did look.
Don’t worry you always can take out the book.
HAPPY PURIM
Just sit right down enjoy T.V., as time permits please think of me.
To find the gift that was just right, I spent so many a sleepless night.
It got quite late, ’twas almost morn; I took a break and popped some corn
I took a cup and poured a drink. It hit me quicker than a wink.
I loved my snack so then I knew the perfect gift to send to you.
Admit one to the Purim story
Don’t miss all the guts and the glory!
Stay far from Haman, he’s a hogger,
But have fun with your loudest grogger.
Soon it will be time for the next show,
Where Moses declares, “Let my people go!”
Now showing:
The Purim Story.
Spoiler alert:
Esther saves the Jews!
So these treats now come to yous.
Coming soon:
The Exodus from Egypt…
Make sure to eat your Hametz up!
Sleepless in Shushan
There’s a new drama coming to Shushan Town,
Starring Esther, Mordechai, and King Achashverosh in a golden crown.
Actors Bigsan and Teresh plotted treason behind the scene,
But they proved no match for Mordechai and the Queen.
Even the evil man Haman makes a cameo appearance,
With crooked nose and a devilish plan for disappearance.
But the producer soon cut his part,
And all of his diabolical plans soon fell apart.
A war broke out, with unbelievable special effects,
But no one was prepared for what happened next.
The Jews prevailed over those who sought to wipe them out,
And once more, happiness reigned throughout.
This Purim story is guaranteed to be a box office sensation,
And on the big screen it will reach the entire Jewish nation.
With a stellar cast and a director like HaKadosh Baruch Hu,
This film is bound to win an Oscar or two.
So while you find a seat, kick back, and watch the show,
Enjoy this Movie Manos from a long time ago.
This feature presentation is coming soon, to theaters near you,
To wish a “freilechen Purim” to every Jew!