— by Ronit Treatman

One of the most fun activities for Purim is putting together gifts of food for friends. The legal requirement for a mishloach manot is that there will be at least two types of food that are ready to be consumed immediately. This is to ensure that everyone in the community may celebrate Purim with a feast. This mitzvah is even bigger if the recipient is an orphan, widow, or financially disadvantaged. When we give these gifts to the poor (Matanot La’evyonim) we perform a mitzvah, which may “revive the spirit of the humble” and “revive the heart of the downtrodden” (Isaiah 57:15).

This is an opportunity to be very creative. Here are some fun ideas for food packages that you may assemble. I like to place everything in a straw basket. I tie it up with cellophane and ribbons, and it is ready to be presented.

Package ideas after the jump.
Coffee Shop Manot

• Quality ground coffee
• Hamentaschen
• Biscotti
• Coffee Cake
• 2 personalized coffee mugs

Chocoholic Manot

• Premium chocolate
• Hamentaschen
• Hot cocoa mix
• Truffles
• A copy of The True History of Chocolate

Israeli Wine Manot

• 1 bottle of your favorite red Israeli wine
• 1 bottle of your favorite white Israeli wine  
• Water crackers
• Cheese
• Hamentaschen

Fruit And Nut Manot

• Hamentaschen
• Dried fruits
• Roasted nuts
• Dark chocolate

Movie Night Manot

• Hamentaschen
• Popcorn
• Candy
• Lemonade

Israeli Treats Manot

• Hamentaschen
• Bissli
• Pesek Zman  
• Assorted Fruit Taffy