Purim- The Joyful Holiday for Giving, Gifting and Feasting

Purim is a time of joy in the Jewish calendar, a time to celebrate the miraculous survival of the Jewish people in the face of a mortal enemy. There are four major Purim obligations: The giving of Mishloach Manot (gifts to friends and family), Mikra Megillah (hearing the Megillah once by night and once by day), and Seudat Purim (having a festive meal). Jews are commanded to give at least two types of ready to eat foods to at least one person. In addition, there is the obligation to give gifts to the poor. Minimally, this requires gifts to two poor people. However, the spirit of generosity on Purim may extend far beyond this minimum.

Here are some clever and creative ideas for Purim gift-baskets:
• Go Nuts on Purim: Mixed nuts, Almond liqueur, a bag of nuts, Snickers or candy nut bar, coconut

• Orange You Glad Purim is Here: An orange, orange tissue paper, orange Sunsweet Gels, orange juice

• Have a Twisted Purim! Make mini chocolate dipped pretzel twists, combine with licorice twists. Dipped pretzel recipe (the recipe is for rods, but we suggest using twists)

• Have a Happy Purim: Laffy Taffy, assorted fruits with smiley faces drawn on them

• Have a LoMein-tashen filled Purim: In Chinese takeout boxes of course! Bake homemade LoMein-tashen—Purim fortune cookies with special Purim fortunes

• Fly High on Purim: Airline meal box: Label says Ahasuerus Airlines – Eat drink and be merry – peanuts, pretzels, cookies, mini bottle liquor such as Cherry Heering

• Have a Ball at Purim: Along with a “dollar store" ball, add foods you would get at a game – hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, cracker jacks, cotton candy, soda, beer

• Have a Poppin good Purim: Inside a popcorn bucket, place bag of popcorn, microwave popcorn, lollipop, popsicle, soda pop, etc.

• Cast a Winning “lot” on Purim: Lottery ticket, split of champagne, caviar

• Have a “Grape” Purim: Wine, grape juice, grapes, raisins, grape flavored candy

• Wake up, It’s Purim! Coffee, coffee cake, coffee candy. Place all in a coffee mug or ask Starbucks for bags. Costco sells Via coffee, which would fit nicely into a mug.

• A Healthy Purim! May you live and be well! Whole wheat Hamentashen, nuts, fruit, (pomegranate, blueberries) dark chocolate, health drink

• Have a Spicy Purim: Spice tea, cinnamon sticks, cloves, orange

• May Purim be a Picnic! Wine, cheese, crackers dark chocolate, checkered napkins, plastic ants in a basket.


• Have an Absolut-ely wonderful Purim: Mini bottle of Absolut and some absolutely delicious snacks

• Wishing you a WINNING hand at Purim: Mini bottle of whiskey, pretzels or chips, a lottery ticket, million dollar candy bar, a deck of cards

• SANDing You Wishes for a Beachy Purim: In a sand pail, sand, container of sea salt, salt water taffy, bottled water

• An Apple a day brings Purim your way! apple candy, apples (green, yellow, red, apple juice, apple hamantashen, dried apples, apple cake etc.

• Have a Peachy Purim: Peach jam, peach, peach iced tea, peach hamentashen, peach liqueur. How to make Peach Infused Vodka

• Hope your Purim is Red Hot:. Black pepper, white pepper, cayenne pepper, bell peppers, pepperoncini, red-hot candy, pepper jelly. Package all in plastic fire hat

• May your Purim be Blooming Good! Make huge Flower Cookies, Tie in ribboned plastic bag for presentation. Add raisins or chocolate chips to dough

For further information, recipes and updates about the kosher lifestyle or kosher products, contact Lois Held, Roberta Scher.