#mishloachmanot

Mail’s here! The latest entry in my annual tradition of Purim package design once again involves creating elaborate boxes to fulfill the ritual of mishloach manot, giving gifts of food to friends. (Find the last few years’ here,here,here,here,here, and here.) This year involves literally sending food in envelope-boxes. The Happy Purim message and stamp are cut out of the paper and backed with Fruit by the Foot — the best tasting stamp you’ll ever lick. The cancellation is marked 14 Adar (today’s Hebrew date) and ringed with the words describing this tradition from the Megillah: מִשְׁלֹחַ מָנוֹת, אִישׁ לְרֵעֵהוּ (“sending items to their fellows,” Esther 9:19). It’s marked in the corner “Peace + Truth” from me, echoing the letters of peace and truth Mordechai wrote to Jews across the kingdom (Esther 9:30). And who couldn’t use a little peace and truth these days? Enjoy, and Happy Purim!

Happy Purim! What would you do if you had the opportunity to address the king? It’s become a tradition of mine to celebrate Purim with package design, creating elaborate boxes to fulfill the ritual of mishloach manot, giving gifts of food to friends. (Find the last few years’ here,here, here,here, and here.) This year, the boxes depict King Achashverosh’s palace, the architecture inspired by Taq Kasra, an ancient Persian palace near modern Baghdad. (Yes, it’s a little anachronistic, but it’s an incredible building.) Open the doors and find yourself face to face with the king on his throne. Imagine yourself in Esther’s shoes, petitioning for the safety of her people. Tucked behind a false wall is a hidden treasure of chocolate bars and pistachios. The back has a Purim message from me. Enjoy!

hillelsmith:

Happy Purim! Every year I make increasingly insane papercut mishloach manot packages for this ritual of edible gift giving (find the last few years’ here, here, and here.) I’m especially proud of this year’s edition. These octahedral boxes feature caricatures of Mordechai crowned in royal garb and Haman in his triangular hat, each on a triangular face evocative of hamantashen. A “Happy Purim” message occupies two sides. Look closely and you’ll see that “from Hillel Smith” is repeated upside-down on the second side. Why? Well, check out what happens when we turn the box over. Pretty cool, right? The entire box is identical when flipped! These were inspired by the phrase v'nahafoch hu from the Book of Esther (9:1), describing how the fate of the Jews “was turned around.” We are also instructed to rejoice so indulgently that we can no longer tell the difference between Haman and Mordechai. Play with the box long enough and you’ll be one step closer!

Happy almost Purim!! Reblogging this from last year while I prep this year’s boxes. One year later, I’m still super proud of this. One of the coolest things I’ve made in a while.