Mishloach Manot...Sending portions

Mishloach Manot, the "Purim Basket"

Mishloach Manot literally means "sending of portions"

It is considered a Mitzvah (good deed) to do this on the day of Purim. This comes from the very first instructions regarding the festival in Ester 9:22 

"...that they should make them days of feasting and gladness, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor. "

 Here are some tips for this years Mishloach Manot!

Make a list so when you do your shopping or baking you will have it handy and make sure not to forget anyone. 

When making your list, think about your friends, family and people in your community...are there people who recently lost a loved one, widows or single parents, families struggling financially, expecting a baby, who are sick, or maybe just moved to the area?  Remember, HaShem blesses us with abundance so that we may bless others who may lack, so use the opportunity to fulfill this divine mission.

Do some baking ahead of time. You can bake hamantaschen (click here for recipe) and many other Purim goodies ahead and freeze them until you are ready to assemble your baskets.

Basket, bag or box? Decide how you are going wrap your baskets and make sure you have the necessary materials. 

For small portions: 

Boxes: these can be purchased at your local dollar store. It's an easy inexpensive way to make a really nice package, it also prevents cookies from getting broken or squashed during delivery!

Bags: You can use brown lunch bags and decorate them with festive stickers or stamps.

For larger amounts:

follow the "gift basket" method, purchase some woven baskets from the dollar store or recycle some that you have around the house(come on everybody has them don't they!?)and wrap it in celophane with a colourful ribbon!

And of course don't forget to put a pretty recipient tag on it to finish it off! Check out the post "Purim Tags" http://dancingtotherhythm.blogspot.ca/2012/02/purim-tags.html to see some examples.

But I am not a baker.... Don't worry! You are not limited to home baked goods. There are lots of other things you can send to people. Fruit, gourmet cheese, wine or fancy carbonated grape juice, nuts, and canned perserves are just a few of the things you could put together to make anyone say "Happy Purim!"

Beware! Just a word of caution! Many people are allergic to peanuts these days so make sure that if you plan to put nuts in your basket (in any form) that the recipient is NOT allergic. If you don't know if the person you plan to send it to has any allergies it would probably be best to ere on the side of caution and stick to things that are nut free! The last thing you want to hear is that they ended up in the hospital after biting into that Hamantashcen that you gave them because you forgot you used almond flavouring or put walnuts in the filling!! Not the best way to spread the joy of the holiday...

 Make it an community affair!  Ever heard of a "cookie exchange"? Call up a few friends and organize for each of you to make a different Purim goodie then divide them among yourselves so everyone has some of every kind. That way you don't have to make 3 different kinds of cookies. You could also have a "ladies day" and bake your goodies together.

If all else fails... and in spite of all this Purim still catches you by surprise...There's always Timmies! Pick up a few boxes of Tim-bits and go spread some Purim joy! 

I hope this helps you get a start on Mishloach Manot this year! For more Purim related blogs check the "Labels" box along the right hand side for "Purim". More coming soon!