Nostalgic Purim Gift Basket Ideas: From Star Wars to Smurfs

I always loved making hamantaschen with my mom and preparing Mishloach Manot, the food gifts we give to friends on the holiday of Purim. Despite my mother’s artistic background—she has a Master of Fine Arts—her idea of a gift basket was an assortment of goods on a paper plate covered in tinfoil, with the recipient’s name written on top with a magic marker.

When I started creating my own Mishloach Manot, I didn’t really know there were other creative ways to celebrate the holiday. After college, I was living in Washington, DC, and became friends with a real New Yorker from Brooklyn who introduced me to the concept of themed Purim baskets. She shared stories of the extravagant and highly creative Mishloach Manot she received over the years, explaining how people would get competitive in making the best, most unique baskets. Since she had moved to DC, she was thrilled to be able to recycle some of these ideas in a new community that wasn’t familiar with themed baskets. From then on, I embraced the world of themed Mishloach Manot and never looked back.

I try not to spend too much money, especially on packaging, and I limit the number of baskets I send so I can focus on quality. I like to include a few homemade treats and some toys instead of candy. Themed baskets can be incredibly fun and don’t have to be expensive or time-consuming to put together. Here are some nostalgic Purim gift basket ideas inspired by beloved movies and TV shows from the ‘80s and ‘90s that can be pulled off quite easily.

1. Star Wars Purim Basket

A few years ago, my kids were obsessed with Star Wars. We even dressed up as characters—Obi-Wan Kenobi, Chewbacca, Baby Yoda, Darth Vader, and I was Princess Leia, with my hair wrapped in buns and a makeshift gown. For our Star Wars-themed Mishloach Manot, I bought Star Wars party favor boxes and filled them with Star Wars toys. I made chocolate-covered pretzel rods that we called Lightsabers and included some dried star fruit. If you can’t find star fruit, you can make star-shaped cookies or marshmallows. As a fun touch, remember that two hamantaschen placed together also form a star!

2. Smurfs Purim Basket

For a Smurf-themed basket, think blue! Use blue cellophane or Smurf-themed gift bags. Include blueberry muffins, blue candies, and mini mushroom-shaped cookies (inspired by the Smurfs’ iconic mushroom houses). A small Smurf figurine or sticker sheet adds a fun touch for kids.

3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Basket

Scroll to continue

More Love

Cowabunga! For a TMNT-themed basket, use a green container or wrap with ninja turtle-colored ribbons (red, orange, blue, and purple). Include mini pizza-flavored crackers, green apple candy, and a DIY “mutagen ooze” slime (safe and fun for kids). You can also make healthy turtle candies.

4. Saved by the Bell Basket

Throw it back to Bayside High with a ‘90s school-themed basket. Use a retro lunchbox or a paper bag decorated like a classic brown bag lunch. Include peanut butter & jelly hamantaschen, colorful notebook-shaped sugar cookies, and a “Slater Shake” recipe card (chocolate milkshake, obviously!). A scrunchie or slap bracelet would add a fun nostalgic touch.

5. Care Bears Basket

Brighten someone’s day with a Care Bears-themed basket full of rainbow colors! Use a rainbow-colored box or pastel wrapping. Include rainbow cookies, gummy bears, and a bag of rainbow popcorn. Add a note encouraging kindness and sharing, just like the Care Bears would want.

6. Ghostbusters Basket

Who ya gonna call? A Ghostbusters-themed Mishloach Manot is perfect for fans of the classic movie. Use a black or neon-green bag. Include green “ectoplasm” jelly (lime Jell-O squares (use lime jello instead of raspberry), marshmallow ghost treats (use a ghost cookie cutter), and chocolate-covered pretzel sticks as proton blasters. A mini Slimer figurine or ghost-shaped cookies add a fun extra touch.

7. Barbie Basket

With Barbie’s resurgence, a pink-themed Mishloach Manot is totally in style! Use a bright pink box and include strawberry hamantaschen and decorate with pink chocolate, pink lemonade mix, and pink rock candy. For an extra nod to nostalgia, a tiny Barbie accessory or sticker sheet would make this basket a hit!

8. The Flintstones Basket

Take it back to the Stone Age with a Flintstones-inspired basket! Use animal-print napkins or wrapping paper. Include Fruity Pebbles hamantaschen, dinosaur gummies, and a recipe card for a “Yabba Dabba Doo” fruit smoothie.

Purim is all about joy, creativity, and giving. Themed Mishloach Manot are a great way to spread happiness while making the holiday extra special. What are some of the most interesting Mishloach Manot baskets you have made or received? Share your ideas below!