On Purim, we make Mishloach Manot baskets to send as gifts to friends, family, and acquaintances. These baskets are given as gifts within the Jewish community as a symbol of friendship and the strength of the Jewish community. To give a Mishloach Manot is considered a mitzvah – a commandment and good deed. It is also customary to give Mishloach Manot, along with other gifts of food and money, as charitable offerings to the poor. The charity is given in order to ensure that the recipient has enough food during the Purim celebration. The Mishloach Manot custom originated in the Book of Esther, as part of the story of Purim:
As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor. (Esther 9:22)
I thought it would be fun to put together a few Mishloach Manot baskets for Purim, to give you some examples of the types of items that might be included. Obviously these are just ideas; with Mishloach Manot, you can really get creative and have fun putting together all kinds of baskets, from simple to spectacular. The only “rule,” really, is to have at least two items that can be eaten in the basket. If you’re making a basket for a family who keeps kosher, you’ll want to make sure that all food items you include are kosher or kosher-certified. Most baskets will also contain some sort of hamantaschen, a traditional cookie for the holiday. Beyond that, the possibilities are endless!
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TEA AND CHALLAH PURIM BASKET
This basket would be a great gift for a tea lover, or for somebody who loves to bake. I’ve included some delicious kosher herbal teas, a pretty mug with a tea strainer, homemade hamantaschen with nuts and dates, and a fun book called “The Great Latke Hamantash Debate.” I’ve also included one of our popular Royal Challah silicone baking pans in a small size. They will help the recipient create beautifully shaped challot without the need for braiding, and are particularly helpful for those who wish to make gluten free challah (the dough is often difficult to braid). Links to the products appear below.
Tea and Challah Basket Product Links
The Great Latke Hamantash Debate
KID FUN PURIM BASKET
This basket is perfect for that special kid in your life. It’s filled with all kinds of fun stuff… a colorful book, a traditional noisemaker called a gragger, and a cool FunBites sandwich cutter for making mini sandwich bites for school lunches. I’ve filled it out with grape juice, cookies, and candy treats from the local kosher market. You can also stick in some healthier treats like dried fruit and nuts, as long as the recipient doesn’t have a nut allergy.
To make the pretty bag you see with my home-baked hamantaschen, download my free printable “Happy Purim!” and “Chag Purim Sameach!” treat bag toppers and instructions. They can be found at the following link: Homemade Mishloach Manot Baskets for Purim
Kid Fun Purim Basket Product Links
The Queen Who Saved Her People
MINI MISHLOACH MANOT
These Mini Mishloach Manot baskets are perfect for bringing to Hebrew school, for kids to give to their friends, and for larger groups where you want to send a small token for Purim. They’ll fit a few hamantaschen and another treat, like candy or dried fruit, in a cute little “basket” package just right for gift giving. Supplies can be found below, including ribbon and tags so you can write a little message to the recipient. Free printable “Happy Purim!” and “Chag Purim Sameach!” treat bag toppers and instructions can be found at the following link: Homemade Mishloach Manot Baskets for Purim.
Mini Mishloach Manot Product Links
L’CHAIM PURIM BASKET
This Mishloach Manot is designed for giving to “grown up” friends. Drinking is a part of the Purim celebration; the requirement in the Talmud goes so far as to instruct that one should get so drunk that they can’t tell the difference between the phrases Arur Haman (“cursed is Haman”) and Baruch Mordechai (“blessed is Mordecai”). While not everybody participates in this custom, those that do will appreciate the sentiment of this basket. It includes homemade Flavor Infused Vodka and Herb Infused Simple Syrup (follow the links for instructions to make your own). Here I’ve put homemade hamantaschen in a silver Chinese takeout box (you can buy them at the link below). I’ve also added a funny book, “The Kosher Guide to Imaginary Animals” (I reviewed the book here), some cookies, a Jewish ice mold, a jigger for measuring liquor into cocktails, and a mask to celebrate the costumed festivities of Purim.
L’Chaim Purim Basket Product Links
The Kosher Guide to Imaginary Animals
FAMILY FUN PURIM BASKET
This basket is a beautiful way to show a family that you care. Included are homemade hamantaschen, dates and nuts, herbal tea and kosher coffee, grape juice and kosher treats. It also includes two lovely masks to help the recipient celebrate the costumed Purim festivities.
Family Fun Purim Basket Product Links
Click here to learn how to make your own paper Mishloach Manot baskets – a great craft for getting kids involved in the holiday fun!
Falice Young says
I would like to win the Tea and Challah basket. I am enjoying learning about Jewish customs and foods.
abby says
I am sending out a ‘holla’ for the tea and challah basket!!!! The tea for the much needed calm and the other goodies for that too. 😉
Ilana says
These are great ideas. I would love to win the Family Fun Basket because it contains something to be enjoyed by every member of the family.
Andrea Ginsberg says
I would like the Tea and Challah Purim Basket.
BeckyZoole says
I think the L’Chaim basket is my favorite of all the sample mishloach manot baskets you’ve put together. Who wouldn’t love it? But of the contest give-aways, the Tea and Challah basket is the one I’d most like to receive, hands down! The idea is charming, the silicone challah pan looks like it would be a lot of fun to use, and if those hamantashen are half as scrumptious as they look…. well, no matter how quickly I put the kettle on, there won’t be any left by the time the tea is brewed! 🙂
Jude says
Tea and challah would be be divine. The pretty mug with tea strainer looks especially fine!
Christina Peterson says
The “Tea and Challah” basket is so charming. It’s just waiting for good friends to get together and chat over a hot cup of tea.
Ellis Miles says
I remember my Motyher making these baskets when I was only 6 or 7 years old. Now that I am 80 , I guess I can still remember them…slightly. Either my memory is still good or I am hallucinating . Whichever, I am still happy
Yael Levi says
So colorful & inviting…love all of the Israeli products! Thanks for sharing your ideas. One theme that I did once was “salad”…all of the fixings for making and serving a salad were in a colorful salad bowl…it was a big hit. Chag Same’ach!
MarlajanKatz katz says
I would love to receive any basket. I gave out so many last year and received none. I was so hurt. I thought I would skip it this year but the mitzvah is mine and the poor and friends and family need it more so I am sending and making. Baskets. I think I will try to make the tea and. Challah one. It is so beautiful. But I will add apples and oranges For the adults some liquor. Candy for the children and a greaggah. Thank you for all your recipes and stories. I love. Reading your blog
Sarah white says
I love the family fun one. I teach at a day school and we are busy making our baskets, sometimes I forget about the family and they miss out.
Chava says
Wow love all of these baskets the tea and challah looks amazing! I’ve been trying to get back in touch with my Jewish roots and share the amazing culture with my partner and friends one of my favorite past times was making challah at the shule! The family fun basket also looks amazing I will have to give them a go! Thanks you Shiksa, your website is amazing! Xx
Jordi Sheard says
I would love to win any of these amazing mishloach manot to share with my family and help teach my kids about this fun mitzvah. I love your Facebook and emails. Shiksa, you rock!
Heather Deitchman Levy says
I love that La Chaim basket because I would enjoy celebrating with everything in it!
Blessing Eulukwu says
These mishloach manot baskets are very creative. I use to make such baskets during high school for Homecoming. I would love to make these for my neighbors who are Jewish and keep kosher.
Susan says
I would love to win the Family Fun Purim Basket. I am a born and raised Catholic girl who read Marjorie Morningstar when young and I have been interested in the Jewish faith ever since. I have learned a lot from you!
Peggy Zabicki says
they all look so wonderful for sharing with family and friends – couldn’t decide between the tea and challah or the L’Chaim baskets. 🙂
Deborah says
I the idea of the baskets. If I were choosing for me, I’d choose the tea and challah basket because I drink a lot of tea and have a special Anthropolie mug I use and I love the mug in the basket. Also, I want to try your Hamantaschen!
Dale says
They all look yummy to me.
Bubbe02 says
Love the L’Chaim Purim Basket. All of the baskets are great ideas.