| Mishloach Manos Improvement #1 -Wrapping a | | | | Say your daughter just got engaged; you can |
| package well makes all the difference in the world. | | | | include wedding themed items in your baskets |
| You could give only 2 items and if they are | | | | with a poem. |
| wrapped well, your mishloach manos will be the | | | | Here is an example of something I did last year. I |
| favorite. Work on perfecting your wrapping style. | | | | put a poem inside my Seder Plate themed |
| A friend of mine is exceptional in this way, and | | | | Mishloach Manos. Here's what it said: |
| she gives only 2 items. Last year she gave a | | | | At there is a course, |
| small bottle of liquor and chocolate gold coins. She | | | | That tells you how to make Pesach from the |
| put each in a box and then stuck a piece of | | | | source. |
| double sided tape to stack the boxes on top of | | | | We've been working on it week by week, |
| each other. She wrapped the boxes in cellophane | | | | And have yet to get to its peak. |
| and then tied them up with a brown plaid ribbon. | | | | When you get to the deep cleaning and cooking, |
| She also mentioned that the items inside of the | | | | don't get nutty. |
| packaging need to "sit well" in the package. For | | | | A Freilechin Purim from your Slatkin buddies! |
| outstanding mishloach manos, do not merely | | | | I glued 5 paper muffin tins to a paper plate and |
| throw in a potato chip bag with jellybeans in a | | | | filled each one with a goodie. The poem was to |
| box. Fill the box with tissue paper, lay your items | | | | let my friends and family members know what |
| on top of the tissue paper, and perhaps place | | | | I've been busy with. |
| another layer of tissue paper on top. Fit your | | | | Mishloach Manos Improvement #3 |
| items in tightly and neatly for the best look. You'll | | | | Do you build your mishloach manos off of your |
| find that your mishloach manos look a lot more | | | | costume? Here are some examples: |
| appetizing when they are wrapped neatly inside | | | | Costumes |
| and outside. | | | | Misloach Manos Container |
| Here are suggestions for wrapping specific kinds | | | | Curious George and the Man with Yellow Hat |
| of containers: | | | | Costume |
| Bag - It is easy to dress up a paper or cellophane | | | | Bananas and Grape Juice in cellophane |
| bag. Line the bag with tissue paper. You can also | | | | Doctor and Nurse |
| punch holes in the bag and tie a ribbon through it | | | | Cotton candy for cotton balls, a bottle of alcohol |
| or something you've put on craft wire, like plastic | | | | in a clear plastic case |
| grapes. | | | | School boy and girl |
| Bottle - Tie ribbons, raffia or twine around the | | | | Alphabet cookies, candy erasers, yoyos in a small |
| neck of each bottle. Attach a gift tag or make a | | | | lunch box |
| "necklace" for the bottle. Tie a spoon to the | | | | Wine and Cheese |
| bottle with ribbon if your recipients would need | | | | A cardboard circle with a small wheel of cheese, |
| one to eat your mishloach manos with. | | | | crackers, and a small bottle of alcohol with |
| Dish - Check discount stores and flea markets for | | | | cellophane |
| unique plates, serving bowls, platters or tins. Put in | | | | If it's a nice day, walk around the neighborhood to |
| your foods and wrap the dish with cellophane and | | | | deliver your shaloch manot. Just put the shaloch |
| a bow. | | | | Manot in a wagon if you have one. You can |
| Jar | | | | decorate the wagon in the "theme" of your |
| · Paint a Design on your Jar before filling it | | | | costumes too. |
| · Wrap the entire Jar in Tulle or Fabric | | | | *** |
| · Attach a Tag using ribbons or Raffia | | | | If building your mishloach manos off of your |
| · Wrap the entire Jar with Colored | | | | costume is not a new idea to you, how about |
| Cellophane or Fabric | | | | creating a "survival kit" themed Shaloch Manos. |
| · Simply add a finish tag & Pretty | | | | How about the "Everyday Survival Kit"- |
| Label | | | | Toothpick: Pick the good qualities in everyone |
| · Purchase odd shaped jars at dollar | | | | including yourself.Rubberband: Be flexible. Things |
| stores & fill them | | | | might not always go the way you want.Band-Aid: |
| · Attach small whisks, wooden spoons, | | | | To heal hurt feelings, either yours or someone |
| mini garden trowel, jute, etc to spruce up your | | | | else's.Eraser: Everyone makes mistakes. That's |
| jar | | | | okay, we learn by our mistakes.Candy Kiss: |
| · Decoupage photos to your jar, or | | | | Everyone needs a hug or a compliment |
| pieces of tissue paper for a stained glass effect | | | | everyday.Mint: You are worth a mint to your |
| · Attach a cookie cutter with some | | | | family and friends.Bubble Gum: Stick with it and |
| ribbons or raffia | | | | you can accomplish anything.Pencil: List your |
| · Use Baby food Jars for Dip mixes | | | | blessings every day.Tea bag: Relax daily and go |
| & Single serving "Mug" Mixes (when the | | | | over your list of blessings |
| ingredients to a recipe all all divvyed out and | | | | Or the Tax Survival Kit- |
| layered in a jar-like sand art) | | | | Taxes: If taxes have taken a BIG HUNK out of |
| · Create a natural feel to your jar by | | | | your PAY DAY, and you're staring down a |
| attaching dried flowers, leaves, or pine cones | | | | ROCKY ROAD with no hope of SWEET |
| · For a western theme, wrap bandana | | | | ESCAPES, here's a little LIFESAVER to make you |
| around jar & attach mini straw hat | | | | feel like you've gotten your MILKY WAY. Just sit |
| Mishloach Manos Improvement #2 | | | | back, SNICKERS, and grin because you have in |
| It is hard to stay in touch with all of our friends. | | | | your hands the only $100 GRAND the IRS can't |
| Purim is one of those "catching up" times. People | | | | take away. Now isn't that an ALMOND JOY? (475 |
| you have not seen in a while may come to your | | | | Gift Basket Ideas) |
| door because they've been thinking about you | | | | (Remember that the Halacha requires 2 brachos |
| and are just too busy to call. | | | | be given in your mishloach manos. Consult with a |
| Give Mishloach Manos that provide a glimpse of | | | | rav if you have any questions.) |
| what is going on in your life. Since you are going | | | | Keep it fun and get the kids involved. You can do |
| to give mishloach manos to your friends anyway, | | | | anything with creativity and planning, even if you |
| keep them updated on what is new through your | | | | are on a budget! |
| actual basket. | | | | |