How To: Make Your Own Purim Baskets

DIY: Mishloach ManotWith Purim quickly approaching, it's time to start putting together the mishloach manot, or Purim baskets, that are customarily given to friends and family for the holiday. There aren’t any hard and fast rules for what has to go into mishloach manot, but Jewish law and custom does dictate that two different types of ready-to-eat food—each of which require a different blessing—should be included. So hamentaschen along with some fruit or a beverage have you covered, but feel free to get creative.

It can be fun to put your personal stamp on Purim baskets, so why not come up with a theme? One timely idea is doing “green” baskets, with reusable containers and organic ingredients. If you’re a big baseball fan, how about filling your basket with snacks you'd get at a ballgame, like beer, peanuts, and popcorn? If you're especially crafty, you might even want to include your own homemade hamentaschen and personal dried fruit mix.

Here are some tips and guidelines to get you started:

1. Make two lists: One of recipients for your baskets, the other of the items you'll include. Then shop accordingly.
2. You can use any kind of container, from a nice wicker basket to a brown bag or shoe box. Recycle something you already have, and feel free to decorate.
   
3. Include a Purim card with each basket.
4. Mishloach manot shouldn't be delivered to anyone currently in mourning.
5. Deliver your baskets on Purim!
6. Have some extra baskets ready to go, just in case someone surprises you with an unexpected offering.

Previously: How To Explain Shabbat to a Non-Jew