|
|
Home
and Family
Wrap It Up! - Shalach Monos Packaging
by Rivka Tal
With shalach monos, an eye catching presentation adds so much
to the `portion' itself. As advertising experts can attest, packaging
is a key to appeal. The simplest al pi halocha portion can
delight the recipient if nicely presented. Children love to get involved.
Here are some suggestions for creative shalach monos wrapping
ideas. Efficient homemakers have probably been saving containers and
wrapping materials all year. The rest of us can start now. Here are
a few hints to stir your imagination.
Containers:
The container can be a gift item, too. With a little imagination,
it can become as great a treasure as its contents. How about using
pans, baskets, decorative bottles, canisters, hard plastic reusable
food boxes, foil or paper candy cups, pencil boxes, coffee mugs, Mason
jars, sand pails, plastic pint strawberry baskets, clear plastic vegetable
containers, cookie or candy tins, decorative drinking glasses and
vases, hat/shoe boxes and sheitel boxes. [Note: in case of glass or
metal etc., notify recipient if it requires toiveling, and
if it does, use only packaged items inside - or toivel beforehand.]
Wrappings:
The sky's the limit here. Ask your children to decorate construction
paper with colored markers or finger paints, drawings or stickers.
Don't forget aluminum foil, decorated brown paper bags, clear or colored
plastic wrap, and fabrics, such as gingham, denim, chintz or lace.
Any leftover wallpaper or wallpaper sample books? You may also use
shredded tissue paper, stationery cut into quarters or eighths, printed
cocktail napkins, and especially beloved by doting relatives - children's
nursery school and kindergarten art work.
Ties and Ribbons:
Use these ideas to adorn boxes, baskets and bottles. Braids, cording
and fringe from fabric stores, strings of beads or shells, natural
or colored raffia, wire-edged ribbons, lace trim (look for remnants
in outlet stores) and yarn.
Package Toppers:
Attach tags citing the hechsher, contents, storage and reheating
suggestions of food items, as needed. Tag should also state the name
of the recipient and the sender (check this carefully - try not to
give the Cohens a package marked for "the Levi family").
Punch a hole on the tag and tie it to the package if necessary. What
can you use? Try ready-made tags from stationary shops, your own computer
labels, cut- and-paste artwork of your children, recipe cards that
say "From the kitchen of..." (enclose recipe, if you wish).
Use a glue gun, floral wire or clear tape to attach other kinds of
decorative items to your gifts. Fresh or dried flowers, dried berries
or pine cones, cute toys such as noise makers, Purim masks, little
cars, whistles or alphabet blocks, silk tassels, small ornaments,
seashells, sequins, decorative buttons, felt shapes and beads.
Enjoy the mitzva and enhance it!
|
