By: Esther Pransky, Lubicom Marketing Staff
You know those put-together families that have their costumes and mishloach manot themes coordinated?
This year you can be one of them!
Here are five easy to do theme ideas guaranteed to make a splash on Purim. We included costume instructions, food ideas, packaging suggestions, and even poems, so you’ll be all set.
THEME #1 – TAKE-OFF!
Fly high on Purim with an airplane theme.
First, come up with a name for your airline like “Air Persia” or “Yiddish Airways.”
DRESS UP
- Flight attendants– Start with a blue button-down shirt and dark skirt. Add some flight attendant accessories like a hat and silk scarf. Put on heels and make-up, and you’re good to go.
- Pilots–You can easily find full costumes for boys and men. Or DIY by decorating a white shirt and ordering a pilot’s hat and gold wings.
Take your costumes to the next level by printing your airline name and logo on iron-on transfer paper. Then iron the logo onto each shirt. (Be sure to follow the package directions carefully.)
Collect some wheelie carry-on suitcases to use when you deliver mishloach manot.
LOAD IT UP
Any food that’s typically served on an airplane will work for this theme.
- King’s airline peanuts and pretzels
- Small drink like a can of soda or Beetology veggie juice
- Mini vodka bottle
- Candy (seat) belts
- Individual instant coffee packets
PACKAGE IT
Deliver your goodies in an airplane favor box or pack up an “airline meal” with these 5 compartment trays. You can decorate the packaging with these adorable travel-themed stickers.
For an extra touch, include a custom printed napkin with your airline name and logo.
RHYME IT
Fasten your seat belts,
We’re on our way,
Cross-check for take-off,
To a happy Purim day.
THEME #2 – ABRCADABRA
How about some Purim magic?
DRESS UP
- Magicians – A good magician’s costume will include a hat, a cape, necktie, gloves, and a wand. Stuffed bunny not included.
- Little kids can be rabbits – There’s no shortage of cute rabbit costumes out there, but here’s a link to begin your search.
LOAD IT UP
Think “magic tricks,”“instant,” and “pop.”
- Trix cereal
- Instant oatmeal
- Pretzel rods dipped in chocolate for a wand
- Chocolate coins (for a coin trick)
- Card themed cookies (Try this cookie cutter set if you like detailed baking projects.)
PACKAGE IT
Turn a magician’s hat upside-down, load it with food, wrap it with a cellophane basket bag, and tie it with coordinating ribbon. Throw in a deck of cards for fun.
RHYME IT
We reached into our hat,
And waved our wand, too,
Abracadabra –
A mishloach manot for you!
THEME #3 – IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE?
Everyone will be feeling great when you do a medical theme on Purim.
DRESS UP
- Doctors and nurses- Start with scrubs and/or lab coats. You can order ready-made scrubs costumes for kids and adults. Or, DIY by borrowing scrubs from family and friends or hitting your local thrift stores.
The accessories will make your costumes authentic:
- Face masks
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You can have lots of fun with medical foods.
- White jellybeans in pill containers (Get fancy with a custom label.)
- Dr. Pepper soda
- Apple (As in, “an apple a day. . .) There’s applesauce, Heaven and Earth apple lollies, apple cake, or even actual apples.
- Marshmallows (a.k.a cotton balls)
PACKAGE IT
Your mishloach manot belongs in a prescription bag or doctors’ bag, of course.
Print your poem on a clear label and stick it on a blank prescription sheet.
RHYME IT
The Surgeon General,
And our doctor friends,
Recommend joy and light,
‘Til Purim ends.
THEME #4 – EXPRESS!
The megillah is full of proclamations, letters, and messages, so a mailman theme fits right into the day.
The USPS (United Shushan Postal Service) will have its busiest day ever.
DRESS UP
You can go with ready-made mail carrier costumes. (Here are links for kids and adults.)
Or start with light blue button-down shirts and blue skirts and pants. Accessorize with:
- Mailman caps or pith helmets.
- Mail!
Take your costumes to the next level by printing your mail logo on iron-on transfer paper. Then iron onto each shirt and mailbag. (Be sure to follow the package directions carefully.)
LOAD IT UP
Anything to do with letters or stamps will work for this mishloach manot. And don’t forget that Achashveirosh sealed his letters with his signet ring.
- ABC cookies (Buy them or make your own with these cookie cutters.)
- Aleph-Bet cookies (Same as above. Here are aleph-bet cookie cutters.)
- Alpha-bits
- Alphabet pasta
- Alphabet gummy candies
- Candy stampers
- Ring pops
PACKAGE IT
Package the goodies in a padded manila envelope with a custom label. Decorate with “handle-with-care” stickers.
Load up your mailbags with your mishloach manot when you go out to deliver.
RHYME IT
Achashveirosh’s letters,
Caused a big fright,
But our Purim mail,
Will help you celebrate right.
THEME #5 – L’CHAIM!
“To life, to life, l’chaim. . .”
Could there be a more appropriate theme for Purim?
DRESS UP
Raid your Bubby’s closet or your local thrift store to find shtetl clothes,à la Fiddler on the Roof. Then, add some realistic props to your costume:
- Use velcro or a hot glue gun to stick plastic bottles on top of the men’s hats.
LOAD IT UP
A toast to life!
- Life cereal
- Wine, liquor, or beer
- Toasted almonds
- Melba toast
- Toasted anything
- Sun-dried tomatoes (sunrise, sunset)
- Sunflower seeds (sunrise, sunset)
- Gold coins (for a rich man)
- Shot glasses
PACKAGE IT
Any packaging with a wine theme will work. Check out this wine patterned tissue paper, l’chaim wine gift bag, burlap wine bag or go for a Tevia tzitzis bag.
RHYME IT
Hashem saved us from Haman,
And Zeresh, his wife,
So, let’s celebrate,
Drink, l’chaim, to life!
Have fun and add your own creative touches to the themes. And remember, mishloach manot are about making connections between friends and neighbors.
Use your amazing costumes and mishloach manot to bring extra cheer and love to someone who needs it most.
Happy Purim to everyone!
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