There’s one thing that really bothers me when it comes to most centerpiece and tablescape ideas: they’re just not practical. But I love setting a gorgeous table – the kind where the entire tablescape feels like decor.

For this year’s seder, my goal was simple: create something that feels effortless, allows for conversation AND easy removal when needed, but really fills the table. The result is on-theme, with calm almost-neutral colors that is elegant, understated, but totally not boring.

I’m going to walk you through recreating this modern Passover table setting step by step. I’ll be sharing loads of tips, variations, what I used, and more insights. This is really cool because it’s assembled in minutes – it’s not really DIY but also requires enough assembly to be a bit creative.

And while it does require some budget to assemble, it also doesn’t require hundreds of dollars worth of flowers that’ll wilt the next day. In fact, ALL of the components besides for the candles are reusable for other mix-and-match centerpieces you might want to put together another time. Even the water can be used on your plants…

So let’s explore this gorgeous modern Passover table setting with a pretty reusable centerpiece that’s subtly on-theme, and totally not tacky.

Choosing this modern Passover Table Setting Centerpiece

While this looks like a generic tablescape, this moder Passover table setting – specifically the centerpiece, but also the details – is very intentional.

Symbolism

I chose olive branches as my focal point because of their significance as one of the seven species of Israel, and specifically one that is often used in Jewish practice. Grapevines can work too, but I do love the look of these olive branches from Michaels.

Fishbowl floating candle holders feature river rocks and water to symbolize the Nile river, the splitting sea, and the journey as well. Floating tea light candles give a beautiful festive vibe.

Practicality

One of the things that I really dislike about all of the centerpiece inspo that I usually find is that it’s not practical for two reasons:

1. It’s super complicated to assemble – and dismantle as needed during the meal
2. It’s too high to allow for comfortable cross-table conversation. Even vases with flowers have this effect.

My goal with this seder centerpiece was to allow it to actually stay on until the food comes out, and then allow it to be easily removable when the center of the table is needed to serve food.

This tablescape fills the table but intentionally avoids adding high obstructions. And while we could have added raised details with narrow legs that allow for conversation, I wanted it to be child-friendly too.

In this case, even the flames are in water so that families with kids can actually have candles on their table.

Reusability and Versatility

A final feature that I wanted to “change” from what I normally saw: I want it to be reusable. The various elements, while not super cheap, are not quite like getting expensive florals AND they’re all reusable. Every part of it is neutral enough to be totally revamped and reused in different ways, for other needs.

The bowls with floating candles are a feature in so many table settings, the olive stems can be repurposed in vases for table decorations or home decor, and the rocks make fabulous vase filler.

The rest of the Modern Passover Table Setting

While this modern Passover table setting is definitely centered on the centerpiece, I figured I’d set the rest of the table too and share it with you. Again, each step is intentional.

We’re starting with very standard plates and wine glasses. If I was purchasing glasses special for this, I would have gone with something more textured glass in look than crystal (like hobnail).

White plates are a great foundation for many tablescapes, and in this case, keeps things light and airy. I do have wood-texture chargers that I’ll be adding into the final ‘scape but didn’t have out yet while filming this.

The base: the tablecloth and linens

My tablecloth is a light beige color, continuing with the natural tones. It’s also reminiscent of the color of sand, and is light enough to feel truly festive.

It has a subtle linen texture and serves as a great blank canvas for many tablescapes.

I swapped off between green and pink runners for the centerpiece. I wrapped the branches mainly to hide them, and to provide a pretty base for the whole thing. I did settle on the light blush pink ones in the end, and I’m glad I did.

My napkins are frayed-edge off-white ones with a natural linen texture, again, keeping things light, classy, and full of natural texture.

Little touches: napkin rings, flatware and glasses

There are many ways to softly tie in different elements to the theme in a way that is neutral but fits. For flatware, I chose inherited floral flatware to go with the subtle Pesach-appropriate Spring touches that are naturally included in this tablescape. On Pesach, we’ll just use our Pesach flatware, but if you’re purchasing special for this, it’s a nice touch.

I used my DIY wooden napkin rings that I made, but any driftwood or light wood look goes beautifully. And while I weighed using my pink hobnail glasses, I did in the end choose our inherited glasses with olive trees in the pictures and a gold rim for interest and height.

The Pyramid Placecards

And a final surprisingly neutral touch were these Pyramid placecards. I made them using this SVG and not only do they seat everyone quickly, but they are also gorgeous and tie everything in with the beginning of the journey to the Holy Land.

I had a vision and it really came together. I am so happy with the result of this modern Passover table setting and can’t wait to set it for real – these photos were all staged while I set my Shabbat table so that I can share a practical and pretty Pesach seder centerpiece before the holiday starts.

How to Assemble the Olive Branch Centerpiece for your Modern Passover Table Setting

This will be focusing on assembling your centerpiece.

You’ll need

• Olive branches – I got these from Michaels (they are 34.5″ long – get something similar to really cover a small table, or create a few to cover a very long table). Find similar on Amazon
• A table runner – I used a pink one but also considered this green one
• River Rocks – I got these from Michaels, find similar on Amazon. I used 3 packages.
• Fishbowl vases for floating candles (they can have floater stems like my hand-me-down ones or not)
• Tea Lights
• This is the lighter I used and I do love it but a match will work too!

Watch the video

Watch the full-length video on YouTube if you prefer to learn that way! Or scroll down for written instructions with photos.

Assembly – Step by Step

1. Lay out your branches so that they sit as flat and widespread as possible, pretty sides up. Lay three in each direction with the stems overlapping in the center.

Wrap the center with a table runner. I recommend wrapping it somewhat loosely.

2. Add your river rocks to the bottom of the vase. If yours has a candle holder, they should barely touch the holder. If yours doesn’t, just fill it about halfway, or whatever looks pretty to you.

3. Cover the rocks with water. If you’re floating the candle, you’ll want to make sure you really cover it plus a few mm so that your candle will float.

4. Prelight a tea light (it’ll be easier to light inside the vase if you do this) and place it in the candle holder or float it in the water, being very careful not to get it wet.

5. After you place your vases, go ahead and light your candles.

Your Passover centerpiece is complete and you’re ready to set the rest of your modern Passover table setting!

The post Modern Passover Table Setting Idea with Floral Centerpiece appeared first on Jewish Moms & Crafters.

Sometimes it can feel like we’re on our own, getting our spaces ready for Pesach. It can feel like a heavy weight, especially when there are smaller humans that are perfectly capable of helping… but don’t necessarily step in.

It’s something that I find frustrating myself. I remember almost every single night between Purim and Pesach spent helping my mother clean the house. And while memories can be misleading, I know I helped a lot. So why doesn’t it work the same in my home?

The truth is, my kids are still young. And while there’s a lot they can do, there’s also a lot they can’t. It took some tries, but I learned some tricks and changes-in-approach that make a big differnece.

Nothing is going to be an all-in-one solution. Every kid is different, so different things will work for everyone. The goal is to share multiple ideas, so that hopefully, you’ll find something in here that is worth trying for your kid. You know them best. See which idea resonates most.

Some of these ideas are just changes in mindset. Some will cost a bit. I like to think of any costs incurred as additional cleaning help expenses. We spend the few extra bucks on a few extra hours of cleaning help, better cleaning tools… so if I spend a few on helping my kids help – while learning valuable life skills – it’s a win.

Make Pesach cleaning easier for the kids

One of my favorite approaches to encouraging kids to help clean for Pesach is by figuring out ways to make it doable. Here are some tips for that.

Choosing the right tasks

A lot of Pesach cleaning is about personality. One kid will get overwhelmed when I ask him to clean the stroller. The other will love it. One will move through a toy box quickly. The other will get lost somewhere in Spain in the process.

It can be easy to hand out the next task to the nearest child, but matching them up better goes a long way. There are also some things that the kids will do a better job of than others. The ones they can do independently are always a win. Some examples of things I give my kids to do:

• The stroller(s)
• Any smaller single drawer, shelf, or bin that needs a quick empty-and-reload.
• Anything that we spray down heavily to get most of the cleaning of it done (that is, figuring that the spray ensures that any leftover chametz is rendered definitely inedible) – like dining room chairs, kitchen stools, table, etc
• Not just cleaning: I also commission kids to cover areas that are being sold, etc.

It’ll take some trial and error to figure out which things work best, but a general rule is that micro tasks work best. When it comes to general picking up toys, I find that giving kids a count rather than an area helps. Meaning “pick up and put away 20 toys” is better than “clean the playroom” – even if you keep adding another ten until it’s clean (as long as you were clear you were going to do that before you started.

Choosing the right times

Another thing to note is timing. How many times have I gotten frustrated with a kid who wouldn’t clean as asked… because he JUST sat down with a book?! Or have them complain that they’re too tired and not really HEARD them?

I like to give my kids a time frame with a little flexibility. I also teach them basic time planning strategies. “You need to get this done before bedtime. You are not going to bed late. The later it is the more tired you might be, the more work it might feel like. Would you like to do it now, read for ten minutes (set a timer) and then do it, or are you pushing it off until the last minute?”

During vacation it’s easy to answer “but I’m too tired” with “okay, that’s your job to get done first thing tomorrow morning. I need it done before I can move on to XYZ.”

I like to think of it this way: I usually get to map out my tasks and have wiggle room with when I do things. In fact, I often get annoyed when I’m given a task that needs to get done NOW despite it having been known in advance. Giving my kids that room to choose their timing (with limitation) does also give them valuable skills for the future.

In general, I give them a lot more to do on the vacation days before Pesach than on evenings before vacation starts. My approach is usually to have them complete certain things before, for example, screen time. It motivates them (more on that soon) AND they tend to emerge from the screens kind of sluggish.

It feels heavy to save so much for those last days before, but there really is more time then. Now, I’m spending those last precious school days working. Then, they’ll have all day, and I won’t be able to get meaningful work done anyway. So it’s a wise strategy, even if it makes me feel a bit anxious.

Visual Aids

Some kids can complete larger (or even smaller) tasks much better with the help of visual aids.

As a paper planner person myself, I understand how much more approachable tasks can be when they’re visually mapped out for you. So, a few years ago, when a reader approached me with this request, I created some visual cleaning guides for kids.

There are two approaches. One focuses on a kid cleaning out their own areas. The other focuses on cleaning other areas around the house. The basic approach is to empty the area, for personal spaces only to sort (keep, donate, toss), clean, and put things back. Kids can color it in as they go along.

It really breaks things down for the kids into an easy-to-understand visual process, with the correct cleaning tool outlined visually on each one. Instead of “help, I need to clean my room” they can think of it as one item at a time. You can create a planner for them, or hand them pages as they need it.

Kid-friendly tools

Another trick in my book is the one that many parents take when it comes to things like snow removal: get special tools for the kids!

Whether it’s a fun spray bottle, or a cleaning set like this that I got for my own kids, getting tools that are fun really make a big difference.

For older kids, it’s less kid-size tools and more… gadgety ones. I’m not gonna lie, those can get pricey. But if you have room in the budget for some cleaning aids, it can really help rope in the kids. PLUS it helps with my cleaning too…

Some examples of tools that have gotten the big kids (again, responsible enough to handle these) into helping:

• Floor steam cleaner
• General household steamer
• Green Machine
• Spin Brush – if you get one, this is the one I’d go for based on our own consumption.

You catch my drift. If it plugs in and makes noise, they’ll want to use it. Teach them how to use it properly and they can be a real help.

For some kids even rubber gloves can help!

Ways to motivate kids to clean for Pesach

Sometimes we just need a little motivation… That’s how we operate. Think about how efficiently we clean the house when guests are on the way, right? That’s our motivation right there. Personally, I’m super motivated Pesach time, both by the deadline, and because I absolutely LOVE that feeling that once-a-year when I know in my bones that the house is truly deep-down clean.

For kids, different things will motivate. Let’s explore some of them…

Share the benefit to THEM – but in a non-preachy way

You CAN try to transfer some of your excitement and enthusiasm to them. Think about how awesome that clean car is. Or how thrilling it is that their room is SO CLEAN. This obviously works better with older kids.

Showcase it. After an area is clean, show them your own joy, show them how fun it is. I also like to highlight how much easier it is to find what they want to play with, how much easier post-play cleanup is when the area started out clean.

Daily Prizes and Rewards

Personally, I lean heavily on the whole prize thing… We give the kids each a prize and an edible treat for each day that they clean. In addition, they get a bigger new toy, a book, etc at the end.

Our parents hooked us up with personal chocolate stashes to thank us for our help back in the day. I’m talking good chocolate, a few bars, just for us, to last us through the holiday. It was the ultimate treat. And they did it in a tasteful way: they snuck an extra bar to those of us who helped more (or maybe they privately told each of us that, who knows?!)

Here are some more ideas for rewards, snuck from the Pesach cleaning tips post:

Prizes are usually small tchachkes (as close to a dollar each as I can get it, besides for a few exceptions that are really worth it). They live in prize boxes (one for the younger kids, one for the older). Kids can choose – and they LOVE going through it and choosing. It’s part of the prize. Bigger cleaning days do often get slightly bigger prizes (small toys more than actual prizes).

• Beanie Bouncers
• Stationery and other fun school supplies: tool theme pens, infinity pencils, erasable pens, gel pens, Minecraft erasers (or other favorite themes)
• Fun fidgets and squishies
• Wigglits
• Enamel pins
• Shashibo (big prize for a more intense cleaning day)

• Cool keychains: Keyboard keychains, screw robots, wristlet keychains
• Water bottle straps
• Mini brick builds
• Collector cards (Pokemon, topps…)
• Button lights
• Adhesive patches
• Coin purses, pencil pouches, journal pen holders, and other small accessories
• For my 5 year old daughter we also added collectibles/blind boxes
• Also for my daughter we added Barbie outfits and accessories
• Another for my daughter: scrunchies
• Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty

And ideas for the bigger/end-of-clean toys for Pesach:

• Keva planks – good for a huge range of age groups. This is what we gave them last year. It’s a timeless, “keep for the grandkids” quality toy.
• New LEGO sets (some people don’t use LEGO on Shabbat and holidays, so ask your Rabbi. We do, so this is a great choice for us).
• Plus Plus is another fun, open-ended building toy

• Clixo is a Jewish-owned magnetic building toy that my kids love
• New games. Some recent (non-muktzah) favorites include Tummple, Floats McGoats, Smart Games single-player puzzle games, and Quirkle
• An experience: gift them a super cool Chol Hamo’ed trip as a reward! This only works if you’re not doing the same for Sukkot
• We usually also give the kids a couple of new Jewish books as a reward for their help.

Outings, parent/kid dates, and similar incentives have even more value, if they are truly helpful and you can swing it.

Special Pesach Incentives for those who help make it happen

Beyond toys, there are small (and not-so-small) ways to make the holiday extra special for those who helped bring it in.

I’m thinking new jewelry (yes, it can be cheap and fake but still pretty), new clothing or shoes for the holiday, a new tie, or anything for direct holiday use. It’s great for those who like to give incentives with intention, in a way that feels more like a direct result of the action.

For kids who care more, giving them leeway with how the table is set, choosing table decor, or in general providing a table decorating budget can be a great way to reward them for being an active part of making Pesach happen. This works best for the kids who ask to help decorate the table – let it be a natural extension of their help cleaning. That is, if you help with the chores of keeping house, you get to be part of the fun parts too.

Do certain tasks before receiving certain privileges

On an everyday basis, my kids know that they have to complete all obligations before screen time. If there’s homework, chores, or even cleaning the toy they were playing with, that must be done first. If they need a little break, that’s fine, but screen time waits until they’ve done what they need to.

Beyond that, Pesach time is ripe with opportunity for more privileges – and again, it’ll depend on age, which privileges they get regardless of earning it, and what feels special. Some more ideas:

• Grocery shopping with parents past bedtime
• Getting to help choose Pesach treats (combined with the above)
• Staying up later than usual in general
• Staying up for full meals if they’d normally only stay for Kiddush and Matzah (great incentive for younger kids)
• Choosing menu items or desserts

Again, the idea is: they’re helping with the grown-up things, so they get to participate in some of the grown stuff.

More tips to encourage kids to help clean for Pesach

Here are a few more tips and tricks for roping in the kids- without adding to your own stress levels.

Be cognizant of their energy levels

It’s something that I noticed – not all kids have the high energy that they’re reputed to have. Having a bit of a mental list of low-energy jobs can help your lower energy kids help more, without adding stress.

Include them in the planning process

Edit and print out this big Pesach cleaning checklist to use as a family. Let kids check off the checklist, choose items from the checklist, and in general take part in the planning angle of Pesach cleaning, and not just be told to do things.

Make it fun

Here’s a trick that works for adults too: make it fun. Turn on that music. Play cleaning games. In fact, I have a free printable I Spy Pesach Cleaning game here, and a Bingo game as well. The idea is that when kids do an action/find a Chametz item/ clean an item they color it in. It can be a little competition, a glorified reward chart, or a self-motivating factor.

Race through bins in the playroom, have a “who can find the most chametz” challenge… get creative!

Do it Together

And a final note: almost all of the help my kids give is alongside me, and often my husband as well. The big exceptions: while I’m cooking they sometimes will clean the dining chairs in the next room, and their backpacks are their own challenges.

I’m not telling them to clean things themselves for the most part. We’re working together. And that helps to make it an actual enjoyable together-time that they sometimes even look forward to.

Got any other tips for how to encourage kids to help clean for Pesach? Comment below!

The post How to Encourage Kids to Help Clean for Pesach appeared first on Jewish Moms & Crafters.

If you’ve followed along with my social media, you’ll know that I love setting a beautiful holiday table. I challenge myself to set things up for a gorgeous Shabbat dinner every week, in fact.

With Pesach around the bend, I wanted to try a technique that I did NOT master in the past again, and share the results, including the tricks you need to make it work. I decided to hand stamp some beautiful DIY Passover napkins using the craft foam technique.

Yes, this uses craft foam to make the stamp!

Choosing Your Materials for DIY Passover Napkins

Let’s explore the basics of what you’ll need to make these gorgeous fabric napkins, because materials really do matter here.

The base napkin

The main thing you need in your base napkin is to know that it’ll actually absorb the ink. In the past, I tried this technique on placemats, and it didn’t work. Some absorbency in the base fabric is important.

You’ll want to test one napkin before stocking up for a whole craft. The ones I used are actually flour sack towels. They make for a very generous sized napkin. Hypothetically speaking, real fabric napkins should work too, but again, you’ll want to try it first.

Will it work with paper napkins?

After I did this, I tested it on paper dinner napkins too. It worked, though it was a bit less forgiving (that is, a bit of shadowing or mistakes showed up much stronger). I do plan to make a set of paper napkins for this year too.

Since it’s a bit lower expenditure, you may want to test a few different paper napkins to see which shows up best for you. I used very soft, towel-y napkins.

The Fabric Paint

To make these DIY Passover napkins, I used Fabric Creations Soft Fabric Ink. My favorite color was wine, but you can definitely try others.

It’s a very soft ink that comes in a paint-style formula. So it absorbs into the material – rather than sitting at the surface like a craft paint would – and really becomes part of the fabric.

You can definitely play around with acrylic paints. As long as they are permanent, they should work. They will sit at the surface of the craft more, but you can also try thinning them a bit. This might dilute the color, but if you have a need, I would definitely play around and give it a try.

The stamp itself

The stamp was made from craft foam, attached with double-sided tape on a gripper/handle/base.

You can print this template (it’s down by the instructions), choose your design, and then transfer it to foam (more on that soon). Cut it out to create the outline of the stamp.

Grooves and internal engravings are made using a pen (one that doesn’t work if you have that), or anything that with a little pressure will make deep marks in the foam. These are less consistent and reliable. The more “engravings” you have, the riskier your craft is and the more work you’ll have as you go along.

If you want to turn this into a “real” stamp, you can definitely purchase actual rubber stamp tools, transfer the design, and carve it using carving tools.

To hold the foam, I used a wooden chunky cutout. I had these around my craft room and they’re easy… You can definitely make a base for your foam using scrap cardboard boxes. Just cut 3 same-size pieces from a box – they should be slightly larger than your foam cutout, and a shape you can grip preferably. Use double sided tape or hot glue to layer them up for a thicker base and then attach your foam stamp.

Tips and Tricks for stamping DIY Passover Napkins

Ready for success? Here are the results of my experimentations, and tips for getting it right on the first try.

Template Transfer Techniques

One big challenge is how to transfer the template/design to the foam. This won’t be an issue if you’re making your own designs – or just visually copying mine – and I’ll share more tips on that below.

Meanwhile, here are two ways I tried, plus more ideas, with tips.

First, I tried just cutting out the main shape, outlining that with pen to cut out later. That part is easy. The challenge was the engravings. I tried just pressing in through the paper to make marks on the foam below. That works, but because the foam is such a soft base, the paper does tear. So it works, but it’s not a neat process.

The second way was to use carbon paper. That’s been pretty foolproof for me in the past on multiple materials – including rubber stamp sheets, and acrylic like with this Tzedakah box craft. However, here, the carbon paper was so finicky. It did not transfer nicely at all. Again, it gave me a functional result – especially if I’m willing to go over it again following the design off to the side as well.

Another way – the most consistent but time consuming – is to start by cutting out and outlining your outer shape. Then, cut out each of the internal parts, place it on your foam, and trace them individually.

Keeping things clean and lines sharp

As I went along with these DIY Passover napkins, there was one very important lesson: if you want clean stamps, you need to be patient and intentional with your process.

Using a paper towel to clean around the edges of the stamp before each application really keeps things from shadowing. Using a toothpick to clean out the paint from the engravings really helps keep them sharp.

As with every craft, the amount of effort you put into it can really show. With this one, you may be able to get away with doing it quicker, but it’ll just look less neat. A bit of variation is nice and provides a handcrafted look, but too much can get messy.

Heat setting your artwork

One step that I don’t recommend that you miss: heat setting your prints at the end. This basically just means pressing it with a hot iron to seal the color. It’ll ensure the colors don’t run and that your print remains sharp.

While not 100% necessary, it’ll really help preserve your work. There are ways around it (for example, dry it on hot) but that might otherwise ruin the napkin. If this is a quick kids’ school craft, you can press it for them, or figure that they’re meant to be disposable. But if you’re investing into making yourself a nice set of napkins that you plan to use for years (or gift), do heat set them.

Making your own artwork

I always love to encourage actual creativity, and these DIY Passover napkins are begging for that. In fact, it’ll be much easier to “transfer” the template if you’re just drawing it right on.

You can use my images as idea starters and then make your own, design your own from scratch, or a mix of the two. In fact, on the matzah template, I didn’t even put the lines – I left that for you.

There are two approaches to making your own designs for this. One is to design it on a separate paper and transfer it, as if it’s a template. The other is to draw right onto the foam. I recommend the second option, but with keeping it simple. As I mentioned, template transfers on foam aren’t so easy, so you’ll be able to skip that. I drew my first wine glass right onto the foam.

And just one final note: you can use this technique to decorate the same flour sack towels as Pesach towels, pouches as Afikoman bags, and more. This technique is so fun, looks great, and opens up so many new possibilities for customized home decor.

How to make DIY Passover Napkins – step by step tutorial

Materials needed

• Base napkins – I used flour sack towels
• Rigid cardboard to put behind the napkin
• Craft foam
• Double sided tape – I recommend this for adhering your foam to your base because it will keep it nice and flat.
• Wood blocks that are a bit larger than your design but “holdable” – 4×6 is a good size OR cardboard box scraps layered together
• Fabric paint
• A flat paintbrush
• Toothpicks
• Paper towels
• Pen and optional carbon paper for template transfer/grooving. If you have a pen that doesn’t work, that’s great.
• Iron
• Pressing cloth or butcher paper
• Something to iron on (a heat-resistant mat or ironing board)
• The template – print it below

Print the Template

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Watch the video

Watch the full-length video on YouTube if you prefer to learn that way! Or scroll down for written instructions with photos.

Step by Step with Photos

1. Print your template on paper. Position it on your foam. Go over the design, pressing down hard with a pen. Note: for simpler designs, you can first cut the outer shape out – it’ll be easier to trace.

I recommend that you start with something easy, like this wine glass shape.

2. Press down with the pen to make a clear line for any engravings.

3. Cut around the outer shape of your design. You may need to re-trace it a bit first if it didn’t come out clear.

4. Tape your foam cutout to a base that’s easy to hold – either wood, or stacked cardboard.

5. It is highly recommended to iron your napkin before stamping it. Place a piece of cardboard or cardstock behind the napkin.

6. Paint a thin but even layer of paint on your stamp.

7. Use a toothpick in the groove to highlight the engraving.

8. I recommend testing your stamp on a scrap cloth or paper first. When you’re ready (you do need to re-paint each time), press it down on your napkin. Get it in the right spot on the first time. Press down firmly, rubbing the back of the stamp, without shifting it.

9. If you’re doing multiple stamps, keep going….Reload your stamp, clean around the stamp part, and in the groove each time.

10. When you’re done, allow it to dry totally (based on paint instructions). then, using a barrier between the iron and the design, press it to heat set it.

You’ve successfully made your own beautiful hand-stamped DIY Passover napkins! Set your table with pride!

Which Passover crafts do you want to see more of in this space? Comment below!

The post Make Your Own DIY Passover Napkins – An Easy Fabric Printing Tutorial appeared first on Jewish Moms & Crafters.

Last year, I picked up this pretty plastic serving tray from the dollar store, with the intention to turn it into a decoupage Ke’arah – or seder plate. I wanted a craft that kids of multiple age groups can craft and then actually use.

I created this decoupage seder plate craft using fabric, craft paint, a base plate and some Mod Podge. It’s quite simple, can be adapted to different age groups, different materials, and finished different ways.

In this post I’ll be sharing with you the process that I followed as well as loads of ideas for adapting it. But the basic premise is: decoupage fabric circles to a foundation plate to make markers and spaces for the different foods.

The basics of making a decoupage seder plate

I’ll be sharing with you here what I did to create this from start to finish, including my mindset behind the materials I chose.

The foundation plate

To make this, I used a clear plate that’s a bit larger than a typical plate. That’s ideal, since a Seder Plate is usually a statement centerpiece. Mine is a decorative one from Dollar Tree (meant as a cake plate).

The only issue was that originally, I had wanted to decoupage the reverse of the plate. That way the surface is food-ready (more on that below.) But the plate I got had a very not-smooth back, with loads of ridges. So I ended up decoupaging the front.

I will share in the next section of this post, some alternate ways to make this decoupage seder plate craft, including food safety concerns, specific alternate plates, and more. But the one I used is really pretty and came out quite lovely.

Decoupage Mediums to try

Mod Podge comes in many different mediums. Some of them finish harder than others. When making a functional, usable finished craft like this, I always recommend using a hard finishing formula.

I used Dishwasher Safe Mod Podge, which works wonderfully and might be a bit of overkill for a kids seder plate craft like this.

If you’re making this with older kids who may want to actually have their own usable seder plate, dishwasher safe Mod Podge works, but takes 28 days to cure to dishwasher safe. But also, most people won’t put it in the dishwasher anyway. It just make it good and waterproof, even after a few days.

Other good options for function are Mod Podge Super Gloss (the regular gloss doesn’t finish hard) or Outdoor Mod Podge.

What to decoupage

I absolutely love the look of decoupage fabric. It still retains the look of the textured fabric, and comes in many fun prints.

The easiest fabric to work with will be a quilting cotton fabric in a bit of a stiffer texture. I had some leftover from mask-making (remember those days) that is bright and graphic.

If you’re crafting this with a group, getting a fat quarter bundle with an assortment of simple, graphic prints is ideal.

More ways to decoupage a seder plate craft

Here’s your full rundown of variations and more ways that you can make it your own.

More things you can decoupage

Fabric can be a bit harder to cut than other options (although stiff fabric is a bit easier than soft fabric). So you don’t need to stick to that!

Cut your circles out of fun scrapbook papers for a similar eye-popping look (minus the fabric texture.)

You can also use circles that feature the images of the foods (you can even steal it from this craft template.) Have kids color the images and then decoupage them on. Please note: decoupage can cause many mediums to run, so do test in advance, or only use glue on the back.

If you find mini doilies in a size that works with your base plate, go ahead and give that a try!

More ideas for your base plate

For something more substantial and durable (an “adult-ified” version of this), go for a large glass plate or platter.

You can use an opaque ceramic plate and decoupage to the front. Upcycled serving plates (Kosher for Passover, of course) can work too.

You can also use more basic plastic plates for younger kids, or even colored plates (if you’re decoupaging to the front.)

More ways to decorate the plate

I painted my plate white to provide contrast for my fabric circles. Different colors can be used – they should just contrast nicely with the fabric.

You don’t even need to paint the plate – it just makes the circles stand out more.

For more of a kid-crafty look, glitter glue, stick-on gems, and other decorations can be added. Lines of gems or glitter glue can be used to outline the circles too.

Finishing it up

I didn’t really think beyond marking spots for the foods. You can, of course, add small glass or plastic bowls (make sure they fit) as a modular seder plate. Keep them transparent so that the design still stands out.

For a kid-crafting, more “pretend” experience, you really don’t need to add bowls. But if you do, glue them on.

If you’re making a more durable, real-life use version of this, consider adding the names of the foods using Cricut cut decals, or even Aleph Bet/alphabet stickers.

Adapting the seder plate craft for different age groups

This craft is purposely open-ended and adaptable to different crafting skills and needs. Here are some pointers (but you know your crafter best):

• Toddlers: Pre-cut circles with the pictures for them to color. Have them glue it on, guiding them. Skip the decoupage 🙂 You can offer clay, paper cutout or felt toys for them to play with. They can paint the plate before gluing circles on top, or after gluing the circles on bottom.
• Preschoolers: A similar approach to toddlers, but you can throw in things like stick-on gems and they can cut the circles themselves.
• Younger school age: Go for rigid plastic platters or plates, and let them cut out scrapbook paper circles. They can trace a template (make one that fits your plastic plate size) and cut it out themeselves. Bring out the regular Mod Podge, and do it in two stages. First decoupage the circles and seal it. Then, paint the back of the plate.
• Tween/Middle school: Here’s where you can bring out the stiff fabric – just make sure you have good fabric scissors for them to use, or they’ll get frustrated. Bring out the hard finishing Mod Podge for this age group.
• Teen and adult: I’d definitely see if I can get better base plates (glass or ceramic) for these age groups. You can even allow them to finish their crafts with ceramic paint markers or paints.

Care and post-crafting a decoupage seder plate

Here are some general tips for how to treat your finished seder plate.

Sealing your craft and food safety

The Mod Podges I suggested above are going to basically protect your craft. However, they are not food safe. They ARE non-toxic, they’re just not FDA approved for direct food contact.

My approach to seder plates is usually to assume the foods aren’t eaten (they are left out for SO many hours) but if they might be eaten, your best options are:

1. Either have little bowls to actually put the foods in.
2. Or, decoupage to the back of the plate only (you’ll need a smooth-backed plate for that, though. The ones I used wouldn’t work). Leave the top the original plate surface.

For very young kids, it really won’t matter – they won’t really be using it. If you’re afraid they may, you can also just stack another clear plastic plate on top of their craft.

Washing your seder plate after use

The finishes that I suggested are supposed to make it washing-friendly. The outdoor Mod Podge will allow it to be soaped down and rinsed. I wouldn’t soak it, though. Same for Super Gloss Mod Podge.

The Dishwasher Safe formula is absolutely good enough to put it in the dishwasher. I have decoupaged glass plates with fabric using that and run it through the dishwasher many times safely (just make sure to follow cure time directions).

The paint is another story. If the paint is exposed, I’d really just wipe the front clean and leave it at that. You can also seal the paint with Mod Podge.

How to decoupage a seder plate craft – step by step

You’ll need

• A base plate – I used these but a smooth-backed rigid plastic or glass plate would be ideal
• Fabric scraps or fat quarters – I used one from this bundle. I recommend something stiff and easy to cut, that won’t fray easily
• A circle to trace. Mine is 2.5 inches, but size something to fit your plate
• Good fabric scissors
• A pen/marker/erasable fabric marker to trace
• Decoupage – see notes above. I used Dishwasher Safe Mod Podge
• A paint brush for Mod Podge and one for the paint
• Good quality acrylic paint in a contrasting color

Watch the video

Watch the full-length video on YouTube if you prefer to learn that way! Or scroll down for written instructions with photos.

Process

1. Trace your template six times on the back of your fabric.

2. Carefully and slowly, cut them out.

3. Arrange them in an equally-distanced circle around your plate. You can do this on the back if you’re using a smooth-backed clear plate, just make sure the good side of the fabric faces down if you do this

Then, one at a time, apply a thin, even layer of Mod Podge to the back.

4. Carefully glue it to the surface of the plate. Smooth it out, allowing any excess Mod Podge to ooze out of the sides. If it’s more than a thin smear, wipe it off.

Repeat with all your circles.

5. Give it a few minutes to set just so that the circles don’t glide around. Cover it with a thin layer of Mod Podge. The trick with Mod Podge is: don’t overwork it. Just spread neat, even strokes. Err on the side of thin, and seal with multiple layers if needed.

6. When the circles have dried, flip you plate over and paint the back. If your circles are on the back, paint right over them. I decided to leave the border unpainted.

7. Paint doesn’t adhere so well to smooth surfaces, so you may need to apply a few layers. Again, a few smooth, even, thin layers beat one thick layer every time.

Note: you may experience some chipping on the final project. Sealing it can help but won’t be perfect. This adds to the “shabby chic” charm of this decoupage seder plate craft.

You decoupage seder plate craft is complete!

How will you be crafting your decoupage seder plate craft? Comment below!

The post Decoupage Seder Plate Craft – Functional DIY Ke’arah for Kids! appeared first on Jewish Moms & Crafters.

If you’re looking for a Hairvivi wigs review that is totally honest and not sponsored, you’re in the right place. Here, I’m reviewing their Georgia wig, but feedback applies in general to their wig structure and general product claims. This post contains affiliate links.

If you’ve ever looked at wig prices and felt the wrath of your wallet, you’re not alone. I wanted a pretty, comfortable lace wig that didn’t cost “a few thousand dollars and an emotional breakdown.”

This post is my honest, not sponsored Hairvivi Georgia wig review, including what impressed me, what annoyed me, and what I had to tweak to make it work for Orthodox life (and real life, like kids yelling in the background and glasses on my face).

You can watch the video review if you’re more of a visual person, or scroll through for the written details.

My backstory: why I needed a new wig (and not another headache)

Wig shopping is supposed to feel exciting. In my case, it just never really worked out right.

I’m Orthodox, and after marriage I cover my hair. The typical storyline is: your mother takes you to a wig person, you get fitted, and you float off into the sunset looking polished. My version included a terrible experience, a lot of discomfort, and wigs that never felt like “me.” Someone even tried to help fix one as a wedding gift (which was incredibly kind), but I still didn’t love what I was wearing. Frankly, it hurt and it looked odd.

Eventually, I got rid of both wigs. I tried again with a secondhand wig, and I still couldn’t make it work. The bigger issue was cost. I didn’t have the means to spend thousands on hair. I did have falls I liked, so I leaned into those.

I also bought a cheap Amazon wig once, around $50, and honestly, the hair quality was great for what it was. It lasted a bit, and then it didn’t. The shade ran a bit warm too, which becomes a theme with budget hair that you (or the brand) try to add some highlights to.

Here’s what kept coming up for me with wigs in general:

• Comfort problems: if the wig cap pinches, scratches, or clamps, I’m out.
• Price barrier: I needed something that didn’t feel like a mortgage payment.
• Color issues: brassiness can sneak in fast, especially on darker shades.

The moment that pushed me to try again

My oldest son’s bar mitzvah is coming up, and I knew I wanted a nicer wig for that. At the same time, it wasn’t a good season financially to buy from a luxury wig brand. So I needed a solution that felt like a real wig, but priced like a mom on a budget bought it.

Discovering Hairvivi: the research, the cart, and the leap of faith

I “bumped into” Hairvivi (long story for another time), and I did what any slightly anxious shopper does. I researched it like I was writing a dissertation.

Recent reviews on the Hairvivi site looked very positive. Same story on Reddit threads I found. During that deep dive into unit measurements, I decided the 18-inch length was the right fit for me. I did see a couple of questionable things, but they seemed older, and the newer feedback was consistently good. That gave me enough confidence to try.

Then I did something dramatic. I added five wigs to my cart, stared at them, and realized the total still looked lower than one local salon-purchased low-end wig. I lept and bought one of them.

I paid under $500 for the Hairvivi Georgia (prices change, so I won’t pretend my checkout total is a law of nature). Still, it landed in the “this is possible” range for me.

If you want to see the exact wig I got, this is the affiliate link: Hairvivi Georgia wig (18-inch, Large, cappuccino lace color).

One thing I liked up front: Hairvivi’s return policy sounded solid. The catch is common sense, though, once you customize, returns get complicated. Also, if you request certain changes (like Brazilian hair), it may not be returnable.

Please note: creating content like this is time and resource intensive. I was not compensated in any way for this post, and wrote it based on a product I purchased myself. if you do choose to purchase, please do so through my affiliate link! It doesn’t cost you any extra and helps support the work that I do here.

Unboxing the Hairvivi Georgia wig: packaging, accessories, and first impressions

The unboxing felt fancy, which is not something I say often while my kids are doing background vocals (but I seriously couldn’t wait). The wig came in a shoebox-style box tied with a ribbon, reflecting thoughtful branding and packaging, and the overall presentation was genuinely nice.

Inside, everything was layered neatly, well protected, and padded.

It included paperwork with tips and pointers, plus protective packaging that made sense for travel. I also appreciated the satin pouch, because it’s not just pretty, it’s actually useful if you’re taking your wig to an event, a Shabbat at the parents, or anywhere you’d rather not throw $500 hair into a grocery bag. Satin specifically keeps the hair smooth.

What came in the box (and what I actually used)

Hairvivi included some practical extras. Inside the package, I found:

• Optional combs you can sew into the wig (I didn’t add them but considered it and was happy I didn’t purchase it just to not use it).
• An extra “piano key” elastic that clips in at the bottom (I did use this).
• Multiple layers of protection (tissue paper and plastic), which helped the wig keep its shape.
• A satin bag that serves as a travel bag.

That extra elastic added grip and made the fit feel more secure, especially since I wear this without glue.

Hairvivi Georgia wig details that actually matter on your head

Let’s talk specs, but in human language.

This is the Hairvivi Georgia wig. Mine is the “18-inch” length. In real life, it looks quite long. Hairvivi’s lengths don’t seem to match the way many Jewish wig sellers measure (often from the scalp). I’m not 100% sure where their measuring starts, but the wig does reach longer than you might expect for 18 inches.

If length stresses you out, Hairvivi usually shows where lengths fall on the body on the product page, so you can avoid buying too much hair.

Cap construction and why I didn’t need a wig cap

One thing that stood out: the wig has an artificial cap material under the lace that helps mimic a scalp tone. Because of that, I didn’t need a wig cap, and I didn’t need to part my own hair. You can see in this hairline image how my hair is matted beneath the lace (I didn’t push it back) but you can’t see my hair through the part.

That’s a big deal because many Orthodox women don’t wear wig caps (and even if we do, it doesn’t feel very good), and with regular lace, hair showing through can look less natural. This design felt like it was made with that reality in mind.

A few more build notes from what I observed:

• It’s a 13×6 lace front unit. That means that the lace is 6 inches from the hairline along the part, and 13 inches across the hairline.
• The top appears hand-tied, while the back looks wefted.
• It has ear tabs with lace, which helps the look, but also brings some quirks (we’ll get there).

I bought a size Large because I have a bigger head. It fit snugly and felt true to size with adjustable straps. Not every wig comes in Large, so I paid attention to that.

Color, density, and texture (aka what you notice in the mirror)

My wig cap (the part lining) is in Cappuccino, which was the lightest option for the Georgia style at the time. Hairvivi also has a “Honey” line, which is more of their lighter, “white women” shade range. If you have very fair skin and want a better scalp-toned match, Honey would be the better pick when a style offers it.

My skin tone is complicated. My face goes pale in winter, but the rest of me tans fast, like “drove carpool once on a sunny day and now I’m medium” fast. Cappuccino worked, but next time I’d go lighter if I had the choice.

Hair quality shocked me in the best way. It felt incredibly soft, especially for the price range. The wig is also described as ready-to-go: pre-plucked hairline, bleached knots, customized hairline for a natural hairline, pre-styled waves. Density is 160% density, and it reads on the thinner side among hair density levels, but in a natural way, especially when air dried (more on that later).

The color came through as a warm chestnut brown with a bit of a reddish warmth, but not as red as it can look in photos online.

First try-on out of the box: secure, comfortable, and a little surprising.

Minutes after opening the box, I completed the wig install because patience isn’t my brand.

I wore this glueless wig with a simple velvet wig grip underneath. No glue. No spray. No spiritual ceremony. It felt secure enough that I didn’t panic-walk around my house holding my head, but I did eventually feel a bit of movement.

The lace was still uncut at that point, and I could see it at the front, but the lace melting made the overall color and hairline look surprisingly natural.

“Wow, I just got myself a wig for under $500.”

That was the moment. Not because it was perfect, but because it didn’t look cheap. It looked like real hair that belonged to a person with their life together.

Pros and cons of the Hairvivi Georgia wig (the honest version)

No wig is flawless. If someone says theirs is flawless, they’re either blessed, or they never experienced a breeze.

Here’s what stood out after wearing it, washing it, and living a bit of life in it.

What I loved (and why it worked for my Orthodox life)

The best thing about this wig is how wearable it is. I wore it to a full-day event, traveled in it, and felt comfortable. That’s rare for me. I’m sensory, and I avoid discomfort (such as high heels) like a special form of torture.

In fact, after recording my video, I went ahead and wore it to two days of Toy Fair – (that is insanely long and intense 14 hour days where I walk 17k steps). It was rock solid and I wasn’t tearing it off my head. You can see the wig in action in my Toy Fair video here.

A few wins that mattered:

• The hair quality felt A++. It was softer than some falls and even some pricier pieces I’ve owned.
• The 160% density looked natural. It’s thinner than some wigs, but it didn’t look stringy or flat.
• It had very little shedding so far with no shedding issues or breakage, even with me touching it a lot.
• There’s a comb at the nape, which adds security in the back.
• The lace and cap design meant I could skip a wig cap, and my hair didn’t need a perfect part underneath.
• After washing, the air-dry texture surprised me. It dried into a natural body wave, like a person with wavy hair who simply washed their hair and didn’t fight it.

What bugged me (and what you should know before you buy)

A few things weren’t as dreamy up close. While I am 100% happy with this wig and hope to buy from Hairvivi again, here are some things to know before buying.

My main cons:

• The wig felt straighter than I expected at first, even though it’s marketed as wavy. After air-drying, it looked much better.
• The bleached knots and hairline weren’t my favorite when I looked closely. It’s pre-plucked for a natural hairline, but not “I can press my face to your forehead and see nothing” customized hairline levels of perfect. Filling in baby hairs at the hair line would fix this (and is often needed on pricier wigs regardless).
• The lace didn’t look pristine HD to me up close. It looked good overall, but I noticed a slight graininess. Again, baby hair filling helps this.
• The ear tabs didn’t lay down on their own. This is the big “not truly glueless” moment. If you want to slick everything behind your ears, you’ll likely need glue, or you’ll need to style hair forward near the ears.
• It’s not high pony-friendly (at least not for me).
• The color had some brightness out of the box, especially for a darker wig with dimension, which is common. Toning helped. And it took the toning and coloring well – something that is a huge deal, especially on cheaper wigs.

To make the tradeoffs clearer, here’s a quick side-by-side:

The takeaway: it looked fantastic at normal conversation distance, and it felt good to wear. For me, that’s the whole point.

Styling and customization: what I changed, and what I’d do again

I don’t baby wigs, but I also don’t want to fry them. Heat styling can shorten the life fast, so I try to keep things gentle.

Washing and air-drying (my favorite surprise)

After washing, I let the wig air-dry. The texture came out better than the out-of-the-box styling. It dried into loose, natural waves, like a person who let their wavy hair do its thing. This style works great for a middle part or side part, adding versatility.

For dressier days, I’d curl it, but for everyday wear, air-dry felt like the sweet spot.

If I need extra body and curl without cooking the hair, I use clip rollers. I roll the ends, clip them, and let the hair set. If it needs help, I use low heat briefly with a hair dryer (this one has great heat control), not a full-blast blowout.

The sister effect: toning and face-framing highlights

My sister helped with two key upgrades:

• She toned down the natural brightness of the wig.
• She added face-framing highlights in front, which gave the wig personality without turning it orange.

That made a bigger difference than I expected. The highlights weren’t brassy at all, and they improved the hair quality with a noticeably soft feel that made the whole look feel more alive.

She also looked at the cut and basically said, “It’s good.” I agreed. Sometimes the best haircut is the one you don’t have to fix.

The wig grip that made it “rock solid”

This part matters if you want glueless wear that actually feels secure.

I recommend a lace-front wig grip like the one I used: lace wig grip from Amazon (affiliate link). It’s the kind with lace at the front/part so it blends better under lace wigs.

However, I found it uncomfortable at first because it sat too far forward and covered my ears. So I modified it according to a friend’s recommendation.

I cut an arch around the ear area, and I sewed around that cut for strength. After that, it stopped annoying me and started doing its job. I wore it to a full-day event and it didn’t slip once.

One important detail: the tag needs to face out. I wore it wrong at first, and it slipped like crazy.

How I put on the Hairvivi Georgia wig (the real-life method)

I don’t do anything fancy here for this glueless wig, which is exactly why I like this setup.

1. I put on the modified lace wig grip, with the tag facing out, and position it forward.
2. I slide the wig on from the front, then settle it into place so the internal elastic band secures everything comfortably.
3. I adjust in the mirror, especially around the hairline and ear tabs. The elastic band of the internal strap adds extra security and aids the fit.

Since I don’t glue the ear tabs, I don’t pull everything straight back. Instead, I style a little hair forward in front of the ears. That hides the grip and keeps things looking natural.

Important buyer notes: kosher questions, returns, and glasses

A few practical points came up that are worth knowing.

Is this a “kosher wig”?

If you’re Orthodox and asking whether it’s kosher, speak to your rabbi. There are different opinions, and this post won’t pretend to decide that for anyone.

From my understanding, this is not a kosher wig. I believe it’s Indian hair (which has ramifications if it was cut as part of a religious ritual), but I’m not 100% certain. Hairvivi also offers Brazilian hair I believe, for those seeking different options, and you may be able to request it. Still, once you customize, returns may not apply.

Returns and the risk of online shopping

Hairvivi’s return policy is part of why I felt okay trying them. That said, customization can change the return situation, so read the details before you do anything permanent.

Online wig shopping always has some risk. If you can afford a salon and want the full try-on and fitting experience, that route can be great. I’ve had rough salon experiences before, so I went online this time.

If you wear glasses, expect a little extra fuss

I wear glasses most days. Glasses and wigs can fight for the same space near your ears.

To make it work, the elastic band offers security for daily wear, but I still pull a bit of hair forward under the glasses arms. That’s not unique to this wig, but you’ll probably need to do it here too.

Summary of my Hairvivi Wigs Review: would I buy Hairvivi again?

Yes. I have zero regrets.

In this Hairvivi wigs review of the Georgia, this glueless wig gave me something I didn’t expect to get at this price: comfort. The lace construction and customized hairline made it feel lighter and easier on my head. Once I figured out the grip situation, I could wear it all day without thinking about it, which is the dream. It delivered a natural hairline that enhanced the overall realism.

It isn’t perfect. The ear tabs aren’t truly glueless for pulled-back styles, the lace isn’t flawless up close, and it needed toning and a little personality in the front. Still, it looked like my dream wig once it air-dried and got those subtle highlights.

If you’re considering it, you can get the Hairvivi Georgia wig here.

Comfort is the reason I’m obsessed, and I’m curious if that’s what you’re chasing too. If you’ve tried Hairvivi (or you’re thinking about it), what’s your biggest wig dealbreaker, elastic band fit, hot comb needs, side part versatility, lace, density, color, or the dreaded ear tab?

The post Hairvivi Wigs Review – Georgia (NOT Sponsored!) appeared first on Jewish Moms & Crafters.

As someone who started making Pesach due to challenging times and NOT because of a personal choice, I had to learn hard and fast how to be less idealistic with Pesach cleaning and more… easy.

As the years went by and I made Pesach while moving the next day, while zoom schooling kids in my first trimester, with toddlers, I jotted down tips and pieces of “advice to self” that showed their faces as I went along. I did that in this very post and finally decided to expand on it to create a resource full of Pesach cleaning tips and hacks to make things (hopefully) easier.

The thing with tips like these is that they are VERY case sensitive and sometimes (gasp!) triggering. So take what works for you, ditch what you know won’t, and consider giving something you’re moderately skeptical about a one-time try.

Pesach Cleaning Tips for Reducing Your Pre-Pesach Workload

One of the first things to do if you’re overwhelmed with Pesach cleaning is to actually try to shrink your task list before Purim 🙂 Or after Purim but before you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and really start.

Ask your Rabbi

One of the best things we ever did was get a handout from our rabbi as to what is required and what isn’t. Disclosure: this is my personal guidance that I received, so ask your own. I am not a halachic authority and second-degree advice can be sketchy. But I want to give real examples of things you might hear, so you understand how worthwhile that phone call (or text message) is:

• We were told we only need to clean rooms where chametz is brought. In non-toddler years, this eliminates huge swaths of my house.
• We only need to clean where things might be found on Pesach ( so furniture that is never moved doesn’t have to be moved.) That turns Pesach cleaning from “turn the house upside down” to “do a slightly deeper clean.)

But be realistic about which spaces need more and will be hard to move through without. Even things that don’t HAVE to be cleaned will some years ultimately be cleaned.

Still, it’s good to know what to leave out for the years where you’re really short on time. However, I’ll still address the elephant in the room…

The Spring Cleaning Dilemma

Yes, it’s a dilemma! Passover cleaning isn’t supposed to be Spring cleaning. It’s nothing more than making sure no half-eaten toddler sandwiches or pretzel remnants remain in your living spaces. And of course, converting the kitchen.

But there are some years that you’ll want to Spring clean. In fact, every house needs a bit of a deeper cleaning every so often, and since you’re cleaning anyway, it’ll be hard to move through the house without getting a little deeper.

My mindset is also that once I’m cleaning, I might as well do it right. But then there’s the pre-Pesach stress that mounts.

My main advice is to schedule any organization projects for between Chanukah and Purim. Purge early. I do this even when I’m not planning a big spring cleaning – emptier spaces are simply easier to clean.

This can be done on a larger scale or a smaller one. For example, you can turn over your whole playroom and do a grand purge. Or, just focus on emptying the clutter that built on a specific shelf, so that a week before, you can empty, clean, and put things back in a few minutes.

The reason I suggest doing this between Chanukah and Purim is that I find that the Pesach pressure starts to mount after Purim. That’s when things get more permanently Pesach cleaned. However, after Chanukah, it’s still close enough for things to remain relatively organized – but that only works if you purge too.

Otherwise, a good approach is to start right after Purim, but with spaces that are easier to keep food-free (read: not your living room. Think upstairs bedrooms, basement playrooms…)

If your resolution to the dilemma is “no spring cleaning”, be disciplined about it. Maybe set a time for after Pesach to tackle those areas so that you aren’t tempted to do it as you clean.

Either way, I find that Spring cleaning in the winter months makes Pesach cleaning move faster.

Micro-tasking

You might only have half an hour… but half an hour plus half an hour equals an hour! On those evenings where you have a few minutes (maybe you’re stirring the pasta on the stove occasionally and need to be around) choose a micro-task. Empty a toy bin, reload it, and stash it somewhere the kids won’t get to it until that room is ready.

Even ten minute micro tasks add up. If while serving up breakfast for a week you do two toy bins every morning, that equals 12 (excluding Shabbat).

I personally thrive on micro-tasks. I find that I run out of energy before I run out of time, and micro-tasking really helps rooms seem more approachable.

Here are some things that can be micro-tasked. Some are more appropriate for earlier in the season and some for later:

• Consolidating areas you’ll be repurposing for Passover. Putting away the Shabbat cutlery, but plan to use that drawer for Passover? Put it all away where you’ll be storing it over the holiday.
• Any storage containers/bins that need cleaning and can be stowed until that room is clean.
• Bookshelves that will be cleaned (we only do the ones with the kids’ books, not Judaic sefarim.)
• Any open shelf areas that are out of kids’ reach (again, only if it needs to be cleaned).

These micro-tasks do work best in communal/living/dining areas, since you’re doing it between other tasks. If you’re able to steal away more (for example, if you don’t have young kids you can add things like closets, dresser drawers, etc. Again, probably Spring cleaning and not Pesach cleaning, but super helpful.

Delegating and roping in family

I wish there was an easier way to do this. But family help can be incredibly load-reducing. I personally don’t want Pesach to feel like a burden to my family. It’s one of my favorite holidays BECAUSE everything is so fresh and clean.

But sharing the load can be so helpful.

Rewards and incentives

My personal policy is to reward every day the kids help. In the weeks after Purim, it’s mostly Sundays. Bigger jobs (like the playroom) get bigger prizes. Smaller ones get a choice from my “prize box”.

Our prize box has had to grow up a little from the gimmick treasure chest I gave the kids but here are some ideas for quick incentives for tween/teen kids. For budgeting purposes, we go through about ten per kid throughout the Pesach cleaning season (give or take).

• Beanie Bouncers
• Stationery and other fun school supplies: tool theme pens, infinity pencils, erasable pens, gel pens, Minecraft erasers (or other favorite themes)
• Fun fidgets and squishies
• Wigglits
• Enamel pins
• Shashibo (big prize for a more intense cleaning day)
• Cool keychains: Keyboard keychains, screw robots, wristlet keychains
• Water bottle straps
• Mini brick builds
• Collector cards (Pokemon, topps…)
• Button lights
• Adhesive patches
• Coin purses, pencil pouches, journal pen holders, and other small accessories
• For my 5 year old daughter we also added collectibles/blind boxes
• Also for my daughter we added Barbie outfits and accessories
• Another for my daughter: scrunchies

I also usually give the kids a bigger reward to thank for all their help closer to Pesach. Usually it’s a Pesach-friendly toy they can play with. As they grow older, this needs to grow with them, and kids who aren’t looking at toys can get something like a new piece of jewelry, a new watch, or some other accessory as a reward.

Some ideas for Pesach-friendly toys and incentives:

• Keva planks – good for a huge range of age groups. This is what we gave them last year. It’s a timeless, “keep for the grandkids” quality toy.
• New LEGO sets (some people don’t use LEGO on Shabbat and holidays, so ask your Rabbi. We do, so this is a great choice for us).
• Plus Plus is another fun, open-ended building toy
• Clixo is a Jewish-owned magnetic building toy that my kids love
• New games. Some recent (non-muktzah) favorites include Tummple, Floats McGoats, Smart Games single-player puzzle games, and Quirkle
• An experience: gift them a super cool Chol Hamo’ed trip as a reward! This only works if you’re not doing the same for Sukkot
• We usually also give the kids a couple of new Jewish books as a reward for their help.

More ideas for Passover cleaning incentives can be post-cleaning ice cream parties, evening outings/dates, and other things like that that include the kids in positive experiences associated with cleaning.

Doing it together

Another tip is not to just hand off tasks to the kids. Doing it together can turn cleaning into a family experience, time spent together, especially in today’s digital world when we have so little of it.

While this can work for some things, and others may need to be handed off, using this as a tool when you can creates positive memories around Pesach cleaning.

Making the task fun

What do YOU do to make boring tasks interesting? Do you turn on music, listen to a podcast, dance while doing it? This is an opportunity for hands-on training with kids, to teach them how to get through boring things.

Cleaning the outside of the car might be totally unnecessary, but every kid loves a good car wash! So make that part of cleaning the car…

Do you have a fun cleaning gadget that the kids love? Go ahead and encourage them to use it, even if it’s unnecessary for the job! For my kids, it’s the spin brush and the Green Machine.

Tips and gadgets that make things easier

I’m gonna get hate for this: more stuff? But there are some tools that I love that I thought I’d share with you, in case it’ll make your life easier. You don’t need every cleaning gadget out there. But if there’s one here that directly solves a problem, I’m so glad to have helped!

Some favorites:

• This spin scrubber helps me really get things clean with less elbow grease
• I love this flat mop and bucket – it is easier to lug around the different parts of the house.
• The Green Machine is great for when you want to wash upholstery. It does an excellent job at applying the soap and suctioning it out. We combine it with a spin scrubber for a full clean.
• I have yet to own a good steam cleaner, but I know my friends swear by it!
• Another thing my friend taught me: if you don’t like using harsh/dangerous cleansers, try Dawn Powerwash. It does a good job of cutting through grease without the chemicals. I do find it a bit sudsy and hard to wipe off (it’s meant for washing off of dishes), but it works well.

Pesach Cleaning Tips for Getting Organized

A good plan really helps things along. Having things marked down, having a good timeline and plan, is so much more settling than flying by the seat of your pants.

And while it does take time to get organized, it can save time in the long run. Plus, it takes down time to get organized – not active time.

The big cleaning list

The first thing you want is a good, solid list. My mother has shared her Pesach cleaning checklist here in the past and allowed me to offer it as a free download for you to work off of. It is extremely helpful, as it is a single-page at-a-glance list you can mount in a prominent spot. It’s a customizable doc so you can make it suit your home and Pesach cleaning goals.

One of my favorite things about using a checklist is the satisfaction of checking off what you did. And this one really accommodates micro tasking as it whittles things down to the details. It also gives you the satisfaction of making more checks!!

The main goal of the checklist is really just to keep track of what you’ve done, get a feel for what still needs to be done, and to make sure you don’t miss anything.

Make a timeline/calendar

Well in advance of Pesach, make a timeline for your cleaning. Work backwards from Pesach. Figure out some cooking days closer to.

Then, pencil in cleaning tasks based on how much time you normally have on that given day. If you’re stuck with Sundays only, schedule a few morning hours and a few late afternoon hours (with a good break for lunch). I’m scheduling smaller 1-2 hour tasks for the few Friday afternoons before Pesach.

Be realistic about your own capabilities, and leave leeway for incidentals that come up (such as sick kids…)

The Pesach Planner

And finally, there’s nothing like a good planner to have everything in one place, remember things from year to year, and write down notes for the next year. I designed a planner special for this – that is Pesach Planned.

This is a printable planner that you can use year after year, reprinting the pages you need as you need them.

You WILL need to set up the initial planner, and then spend that time scheduling and planning. But I found it to be a small time investment that pays off by leaps and bounds, because once I have a good schedule, I waste less time doing things in an impractical order.

Pesach Cleaning Tips for turning over the kitchen and the final stages

Navigating those final days before Pesach can be really challenging. You don’t want to be eating Kosher for Passover forever before, but you also need enough time to do everything you need done… And it can take a long time to setup that kitchen!

These Pesach cleaning tips will help you navigate the final stages of readying your home for Pesach.

Don’t do the Kitchen Last

It seems practical to do the kitchen last – once you do the kitchen, there’s no more Chametz, right? Wrong. At least for some people…

Know your lifestyle and think outside the box. Decide on the order that works best for you. I started doing the dining room last a couple of years back and never looked back.

You most likely have appliances that can easily be moved to the dining room for Chametz purposes. Your kids will want to eat Chametz until the last second. So you might as well flip over earlier, be able to start cooking, and do the last areas on Bedikat Chametz day. The kids are home then, they can help wipe down chairs, and they’ll be happy to eat bread for longer.

Just make sure you have a good plan. I do include pre-holiday menu plan pages in Pesach Planned. This takes a lot of the burden off of the last minute. Think of things you can make in the toaster oven, air fryer, and Betty Crocker, jot it down, and have a plan. Some examples:

• Breaded fish, fish sticks
• Pizza
• Schnitzel
• Nachos

And you can supplement some non-Chametz parts of the meal from the kitchen, too.

Skip emptying cabinets

Swapping over the kitchen takes a LONG time – and so does moving everything back. But you don’t need to empty cabinets – or at least not as many as you think. Here are a couple of strategies to cut back on that.

Alternate storage

Forget emptying multiple cabinets to make space for Pesach stuff. Just get plastic drawers or freestanding cabinets to use as pantry and dishes storage instead.

I have never done this, but it’s on my to do list to try. I know people who do it and swear by it. Keep everything where they belong. Lock up all your cabinets. Set up a couple of freestanding cabinets or plastic drawers wherever you have space, and let that be your Pesach stuff storage.

You might not need as much space as you think

I find that there are certain space-intensive things that are really only used in the days before Pesach, but not throughout the holidays. Some examples are:

• The food processor. I usually do all the processor dishes on a designated day.
• The big stock pots – those are used to batch produce dishes.
• Any duplicates that are used for batch cooking.

A lot of ingredients are purchased in large quantities, most of which will be turned into food by the time the holiday comes.

A strategy I use so that all I need to empty is one (large pantry-style) cabinet and one drawer: as I finish with these things I move them downstairs. Until then, they are out and in-use. They are not in storage for those days before Pesach. I do a big pre-Pesach clean, but that large pot is on the stove, the food processor on the counter, and ingredients that I know I’ll be using shortly is also on a corner of the counter.

I dump them in my (now empty) Pesach boxes and then when the rest of the Pesach stuff join them after the holiday, I organize those too.

I also only take up the seder things when we’re ready to set the table, and put them right away in the box after the seder. Those don’t need designated kitchen storage at all.

Hack a Pesach “kitchen” so you can eat Chametz longer…

A couple of years ago, I set up an improvised makeshift Pesach kitchen in my basement. It was a game-changer. I was able to prepare things like dips, kugels, meats, and soups in advance. We peeled piles of garlic to have ready to use in that space.

It wasn’t really hard. You DO need a space with a sink that you can use (and you can set this up relatively cheap near existing plumbing if you don’t already have it).

I used my craft room (which is technically a kitchen but not functionally). It has a sink. You need a work surface – which can be a folding table or two. A laundry room can work. I kashered the faucet and got an insert for the sink. It stays Kosher for Pesach since it’s not used for food year-round.

I cook using appliances – crockpots, pizza makers for high temp roasting, and I hope to one day add a decent countertop toaster/convection oven so that I can do some baking.

I really hope that you’ve found some Pesach cleaning tips and hacks in this post that work for you – for your family, your home, your needs. Remember: Pesach is very personal. Between minhagim (customs), family size and age, available help, how many guests you’re having, home/space, finances – making Pesach looks radically different for everyone.

Don’t get frustrated or overwhelmed if it seems so much easier for others. Everyone is dealt a different package, and you need to make the best of yours. Happy cleaning and Chag Sameach!

The post Pesach Cleaning Tips & Hacks appeared first on Jewish Moms & Crafters.

Last year, I made I gorgeous DIY mosaic Menorah tray for Hanukkah and it was such a big hit, I had to try it another way. I used a sheet pan as the base for that one, so when I found these pizza pans, I realized that I needed to turn it into a seder plate.

I used a NEW pizza pan – this is important as pizza is Chametz and it wouldn’t be appropriate for Pesach if it was used.

I want to point out that this can be really cool as a matzah plate too. The shape and proportions are fabulous for that. And since it’s a flat seder plate, you can just follow the same process.

Choosing Supplies for your DIY Mosaic Seder Plate

When it comes to any craft, the supplies you choose make a big difference. I went through some ups and downs with this one, so please read this carefully. I did some oopsies and I’ll share them with you so that you don’t make the same mistakes.

Which tiles should you use?

I used glass craft tiles for this. Because the form of the seder plate – the designated spots for the foods – is effectively just circles marking their spots – you do need relatively small ones. I had hoped to repurpose leftover floor tiles (the mesh mosaic kind) a friend had given me, but they were too large and deep.

So I did what I did for the Menorah tray: I bought big packs of mixed tiles. This turned out to be a mistake. You’ll want specific colors to show contrast between the tiles and the background. So choose your colors and purchase accordingly. You’ll need a nice amount of tiles.

I ended up using a mixed color pack and 2 blues and greens packs.

The base plate

You’ll need a base to build your mosaic on. I used a new pizza pan from the dollar store. Anything rigid in the correct size can be used. You can try wood blanks in a 12 inch round, MDF or chipboard, or anything that won’t bend and crack your mosaic.

Gluing on the tiles

To glue on the tile, I used Weld Bond. This creates a pretty solid adhesion. I did have to crack some tiles off when I did some of my oopsies (more details are in the YouTube video below) but you’ll find it’s pretty solid with sticking smooth to smooth.

Some people use E6000 for this, but I find it to be too hard to use and heavy on the fumes. I like to use Weld Bond and glue it in batches, brushing the glue on with a paint brush.

Grout

Grout can sound intimidating, but it’s really not. It’s a step that I highly recommend taking as it really secures the tiles in place, and pulls the whole project together visually.

You can mix up your own powder grout, as I did. Or, get pre-mixed grout. Grout should be the consistency of peanut butter and comes in many different colors.

I had some gray grout left over from home projects, and used that. Choose something that’ll have some contrast with your tiles. Look at the color shown on the packaging – it dries lighter. Consider a colored grout, as it stays looking cleaner than white grout.

Planning and Crafting the DIY Mosaic Seder Plate Correctly

Again, making my DIY mosaic seder plate did not go as smoothly as it should have considering it was a remake of a craft I had already done but in a different shape. I’ll share my tips below so that you get it right the first time!

The Circles

If your design is the sum total of your food placement guidelines – what makes it a “seder plate” and not just a mosaic platter (which is cool too), you need it to be very visible. This was my main challenge.

I started by picking out the almost-white pieces of the mixed color package. I filled in the circles that I had outlined with it.

Then, when I tried to make the background, I realized that it really does need a border, so I chose the cobalt blue small square tiles to do that with.

The Background

At first, I had planned to do the background colorful, like I did with my Menorah tray. But then I realized that it wasn’t quite looking like I wanted it to. It was a mess, and the circles weren’t clearly defined.

I HAD planned it before, but it just wasn’t right, and I had already started gluing. I managed to push the tiles off with pliers, removed as much glue as I could, and started from scratch.

I purchased mostly-blue packs – a mixed one and a square one (it’s a bit inconsistent, so be prepared for more variation than you want. You can also get specific tiles). I chose the ones I wanted and worked with that.

At first I wasn’t sure I’d love it, but it was good enough. After grouting, it all came together and I absolutely love it.

Variations and finishing tips for the DIY Mosaic Seder Plate

I kept mine just as-is. I plan to simply place small glass bowls of the correct size on each circle and fill that with the correct foods. However, I do want to share some ideas for how to finish it off.

Adding Bowls

Small glass bowls that are placed in each spot really are my favorite fix for this seder plate. It allows it to remain modular and take up very little space in storage. It also allows you to use it as a Matzah plate after the Seder is over. If you do plan to do that, you’ll want to seal it – more on that below.

You can also use it as-is, without any bowls. Again, you’ll want to seal it if you do.

Another idea is to secure bowls in place. Keep in mind that simple, relatively dry foods that are not typically eaten after tend to sit on the Seder plate, so a quick wipe to clean it usually works.

Sealing your Plate + Food safety tips

I did not seal my plate because I plan to use modular bowls on it. However, if you plan to put food directly on, you’ll probably want to seal it. If you plan to eat that food, you probably want to seal it with something food safe.

Resin is one good solution. However, it does darken the grout. It creates a relatively easy, highly washable high gloss surface. Aluminite Clear Cast Epoxy resin is my favorite food safe option.

Counter sealer – The good news is, tile is a pretty easy material to make food safe. Since tile and grout are sometimes used in countertops, there are plenty of food safe sealers that are meant to be relatively resilient.

Simplifying things for younger kids

This is very much an adult (or teen) DIY that teaches a real life skill. Some skilled kids may be able to do it with supervision. If you want to simplify any steps, here are some tips:

• Allow kids to glue on their tiles in whichever order. Have a professional (or a parent/teacher) grout and seal it, adding the bowls in the correct spot.
• Outline the circles for the kids, and allow them to make it like I did. Have an adult grout it for them.
• Skip the grout. Some tiles will fall off. This works if you’re really just looking for it to be a semi-functional kids’ craft.
• I did a version at first where I really just outlined circles with tile. This makes it much cheaper, and easier for kids, however, the tiles don’t stay on very well.

I do plan to share another seder plate craft that’s more kid-friendly this year, and you can find more on the blog (such as this paper seder plate that’s super popular).

How to Craft a DIY Mosaic Seder Plate (Step by Step Tutorial)

You’ll Need

• Mosaic tiles – I ended up using tiles from this set for the inside of the circles, this set (mixed blues), and this one (blues and squares) with plenty left over
• A 12 inch round flat pan
• Weld Bond glue
• A flat brush (recommended)
• A circle to trace (I punched mine from laminated cardstock scraps using a 2.5 inch punch. You can also trace a bowl to make a template – I recommend preparing 6 templates).
• A permanent marker
• Grout (powdered or pre-mixed)
• A mixing bowl or pail (something you can ruin – if mixing your own)
• A pan or bin of water (something you can ruin)
• A mixing spoon (something you can ruin – if mixing your own)
• Something to cover your work surface
• Gloves
• Scraper – anything flat and rigid (such as a membership card you don’t need)

Watch the video

Watch the full-length video on YouTube if you prefer to learn that way! Or scroll down for written instructions with photos.

Process with Photos

1. Measure your circles and cut 6 of them from a stiff material. Arrange them in a circle on your pan, equally spaced apart.

2. Trace your circles.

3. Start planning your design. I sorted my tiles, choosing the lighter ones for inside the circles.

4. Roughly place your tiles before starting any gluing .

5. Glue them on in increments, working on a small area at a time. Brush on your glue and lay down one tile at a time.

6. Again, plan your design before gluing. I allowed my circles to dry before doing this step to make sure they stay secure and in place. I placed my cobalt tiles around the light centers and liked how it looked but decided to ditch the larger ones and keep it even.

7. Again, working with a small portion at a time, start gluing your tiles down around the original circles that you drew.

8. Now fill the background! Working with different shades of blue, and section by section, I filled in the spaces. You will want to start with the tighter spaces since those have more specific needs, and then move onto the larger gaps.

9. Eventually, you’ll move on to the center area. You can do a specific design there, but I kept it random. I don’t recommend tiling the border, because that’ll be harder to grout and won’t stay as secure.

10. When you’re ready to grout, follow the package instructions for proportions, and mix up your grout!

You should have a peanut butter like consistency.

11. Spread your grout on the surface of your mosaic. This is the scary part, but don’t worry, your project will be more than fine!

12. I used my (gloved) hands to distribute the grout, and a scraper (out-of-use membership card) to get it in the cracks and scrape off the extra.

13. Take a very slightly damp sponge (if yours has a rope like mine does, cut it off before you start!) Use it to smooth out the surface, gently removing any excess. Clean up your edges.

14. When your grout starts drying and looking lighter, start rubbing some of it off the surface very lightly with a dry paper towel. Tip: as long as the grout is still wet, as you wipe, you’ll be pulling grout out of the cracks. Go easy on it and play it by ear. Do what works. You can do this in multiple stages, checking in on it, wiping a little. Or, just wait until the surface of the whole grout is touchable but it’s not dried through and wipe.

15. When it clouded over a bit more, I gave it another damp sponging… That got rid of most of what was needed.

And then a final dry paper towel wipe when it was pretty much solid (but not yet totally dry) was the final wipe down it needed.

Allow it to dry completely (overnight, a day or two.. whatever you feel it needs.) Finish it off how you’d like (notes above) and your DIY mosaic seder plate is complete!

The post DIY Mosaic Seder Plate appeared first on Jewish Moms & Crafters.

These 5 Pesach mazes are a super fun Passover activity for kids – and include a free printable as well! Check out this Kids’ Interactive Haggadah Craft Template as well! This post contains affiliate links.

It can be hard to find tabletop activities for kids who are a bit less crafty, but puzzle-type activities that require a bit of brainwork are often a big winner. For Passover, when neat boredom busters are often in high demand, I figured that some Pesach mazes are in order!

Get the Pesach Mazes

I created a total of five Pesach mazes for you to download and print. They cover various cleaning and Pesach themes. I’ll explain more in-depth on each below, but meanwhile, here is where you can get them.

I decided to offer the first one for free – the “A Chametz Maze.”

Get the Full Bundle

The full bundle includes all five mazes as well as printable solutions – “spoilers”. That is the Chametz maze (the one available for free as well) a 4 cups maze, an Afikoman maze, a Seder Plate maze, and an exodus themed maze.

The full bundle of Pesach mazes is available for a few bucks in my shop, on Etsy, and on TpT. Purchasing premium products from me enables me to keep doing what I do, to give more focus to my Jewish blog, creating authentically Jewish resources for homes, educators, and parents.

Get the free printable Passover Maze

The free maze is a challenge to “bag” all the ten pieces of Chametz. It’s in the shape of a piece of bread. some pieces are off the solution path and are detours, some are along the way. It’s highly educational, and serves as a pseudo “bedikat chametz” (searching for Chametz) activity for kids.

Download your free maze! It’ll arrive right in your inbox. By downloading, you’re subscribing to our FREE newsletter with updates on cool printables like this, ideas to simplify Jewish life, and more. Unsubscribe at any time at the bottom my emails. I respect your privacy and the law, and won’t share or sell your email address.

More about the 5 Pesach Mazes

My 9 year old, Y, is very into mazes and he tests them for me. This is important because he HAS found mistakes that I then went and fixed.

All my mazes are hand/digitally drawn using graphing paper and a very simple (but painstaiking and long) technique. In a world of AI, I hope you can appreciate it!

The designs

A 4 Cups Maze is one of my favorites. It has multiple entry and exit points, and you need to figure them out! Y took a few tries but he got it. If you have a child who doesn’t love that concept, you can simply look at the solutions (spoilers) pages and make arrows for them. But I wanted to add to the challenge and switch things up a bit.

An Exodus Maze is the only one that really focuses on the story behind Passover. It’s shaped in a kind of tapered squiggly rectangle intentionally to symbolize a journey. The maze starts at the pyramids (for Egypt) and ends at the date palms (for Israel.)

A Ke’Arah (seder plate) Maze is a simple shaped maze that uses the circles of the “bowls” on the seder plate as part of the maze. The pathway goes through some of the circles.

An Afikoman Maze focuses on the kids’ favorite part of the Seder – finding the Afikoman. Solvers need to help Moshe unearth the Afikoman before midnight.

A Chametz Maze has a really cool twist – and is the one you can download for free above. I added some pieces of Chametz (mostly bread, but a few others too) througout. Some were added along the solution pathways, and some are detours. All pieces must be collected.

It sounds hard, but it’s not! Kids can complete the whole maze, circle pieces as they pass them, and then go back along the path (starting from the solution) to collect the ones they miss. The goal of this one was twofold: 1. They learn the basics of Bedikat Chametz (searching for Chametz) and Biur Chametz (they collect the pieces and bring them to a dumpster fire) 2. They get a bit of a review of different foods that in their standard wheat form are Chametz.

Tips for solving and completing it

I don’t REALLY have a system for “grading” the mazes. I have a system for drawing them to make sure they are solvable one way and not too easy. I switch between grid sizes and try to add a little twist to switch things up.

My best system for doability is my 9 year old. He gets excited when I’m done a new set and does them right away.

My goal is to have him need to use a pencil, but able to solve it with minimal frustration. So I definitely recommend doing this with a pencil – as I encourage him to. That way, it can be erased and restarted. Of course, since it’s printable, you can always print a new copy if needed.

When the maze is completed, I usually encourage him to outline the final path with a marker. I used to color in my maze solution pathway totally.

Since I also provide Spoilers with your purchase, you can also provide hints for kids as needed. And of course, when complete, kids can always color them in too!

If you didn’t get get the Pesach mazes in my shop, on Etsy, and on TpT.

The post Pesach Mazes to Print – 5 Medium Passover Maze Printables appeared first on Jewish Moms & Crafters.

This incredibly simple broccoli slaw salad recipe was born from personal need. I needed a salad that can be stored in the fridge, one that’s easy and quick to toss together and that’s yummy.

When I first discovered broccoli slaw, it was an instant win. It has all the crunch of a slaw but not the bitter that cabbage has! But I needed an easy no-mayo dressing and more ways to dress it up. No recipes quite did the trick. So I pulled together what I had and came up with this fail-proof salad that I’ve served at so many parties and it’s always a hit!

I figured it’s about time to share my super easy crowd-pleasing broccoli slaw salad recipe.

And yes, it can be made Gluten Free, it’s Kosher, and it’s even Parve.

Toppings for this Broccoli Slaw Salad

One of the biggies for this one was what else to put into the salad. I decided to keep it simple – just broccoli slaw – plus some toppings. These are really easy to swap out, but they will very much serve as a “seasoning” and heavily influence the final flavor of your broccoli slaw.

Nut Toppings

Years ago, I tasted this incredible complex broccoli slaw at a relative’s house. I don’t remember the recipe other than it had (a million ingredients and) candied nuts and pistachios. With a child who is highly allergic to traces of pistachio, I decided to go for other nuts.

I use sliced or slivered toasted almonds to give it that nutty crunch. I also slightly crumble some candied pecans to add a sweet touch.

You can definitely go back to using pistachios. Cashews would also be fabulous here (Y is also seriously allergic to that). Really anything goes, but if you want to get a similar flavor balance, my best tip is to choose one option that is sweet and one that is a salty toasted option.

Nut Free Variations

Before Y outgrew his almond and pecan allergies, I may have used honey roasted peanuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and anything similar to get that earthy flavor.

If these don’t work for you, a popular option in broccoli slaw is toasted ramen noodles. For a sweet topping, you can use something like granola. Both of these would get soggier faster and less enjoyable leftover. You can also serve them on the side as a separate topper.

The craisins and variations

This broccoli slaw salad recipe is also very loosely inspired by a raw broccoli salad I used to make sometimes, that had in it cashews (before Y’s diagnosis) and craisins. I really wanted that sweet/tart bite and so I added some juiced up craisins.

What I usually do is take a good handful of dried cranberries and “juice” them up in advance by soaking them in hot water for about 15 minutes. This adds a bit more of a refreshing bite to the salad.

Alternatives to craisins can include other dried fruit (I’d imagine chopped dried apricot would be delicious), small bits of mango or berries, or anyththing else that’ll add those small bits of sweet/tart flavor throughout.

The Dressing for Broccoli Slaw Salad

While you may think of slaws as very full of sugary dressing, this one goes easier on it. In fact, it’s extremely lightly dressed. That’s part of the magic of it.

The no-mayo dressing I made

My husband (and much of his family) won’t touch mayo. So while the default dressing for a slaw like this might be creamy and full of mayo, mine isn’t!

In fact, it’s literally just a drizzle of this and a drizzle of that. I usually do a very light drizzle (a couple of tablespoons) of extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, a drizzle of honey, and some seasoning. My go to salad seasoning is Trader Joe’s onion salt, but even just some salt, pepper, onion, and garlic powder will do the trick.

I don’t even bother to mix up a real dressing. I just lightly season the salad directly.

More options

Because of the different flavors – the slaw base, with the sweet crunchy nuts, the bursts of sweet-tart cranberries, and the earthy nuts, this salad really works best with a light dressing. You want the main ingredients to really shine in every bite. The best dressing is one that lightly seasons these flavors.

If you do go for a creamy dressing, go for one that’s lightly sweet, and pretty loose and wet. Don’t make it too thick.

Any vinaigrette with a lightly sweet touch can work. Trader Joe’s mango one would be fabulous. Just don’t overdo it! You don’t want those candied pecans swimming in the dressing.

More tips for making and serving Broccoli Slaw Salad

We’ve served this broccoli slaw recipe so many times – here are our favorite contexts and ways to serve it, along with some advance prep tips.

What can you serve broccoli slaw with?

I find that the broccoli slaw works well with meals with a solid protein. We’ve served it right next to a large salmon side platter. It’s also great for barbecues where you want a bit of a lighter salad.

It’s delicious alongside rice, and I do choose it less when doing a pasta-heavy get-together.

How long will broccoli slaw last in the fridge?

Since it doesn’t have leafy greens, it can last well in the fridge. The only downside is that your nuts will lose their crunch. The broccoli will soften a bit and lose some of the crispiness. It can still be enjoyed for 3 days, but it’ll be “leftovers” – not at the ideal texture.

Since it takes literally 5 minutes to make this salad (no real measuring or chopping needed) I DO usually choose to just make it fresh. However, I love that it’s also a salad that allows me to use up the leftovers the next day.

If you really want to advance prep, you can juice up the craisins a day or two in advance, prepare the dressing separately in advance, and have everything ready to toss together fresh. You CAN mix the slaw with the dressing a day ahead but it’ll lose some of its crispiness.

Broccoli Slaw Salad Recipe

Here’s a written recipe – the recipe card printable follows right after.

Ingredients

• 1 bag (about 12 oz) broccoli slaw
• 1/2 cup toasted sliced or slivered almonds
• 1/2 cup candied pecans, lightly crushed into large chunks. I usually use Trader Joe’s.
• 1/2 cup craisins
• 1 T honey (I usually just drizzle it on without measuring – the measurement is for those of you who need it!)
• 2 T olive oil (same as above)
• 2 T red wine vinegar (same…)
• Salt to taste
• 1 t Trader Joe’s onion salt (or your favorite mild spice mix)

Process

1. In a heat-safe dish, cover your craisins with hot water and allow them to sit for 15 ish minutes. Drain them. This step is optional but adds some yummy juiciness to the craisins.

2. Dump your broccoli slaw into a large bowl.

3. Top with nuts and craisins.

4. Drizzle on olive oil, vinegar, honey, and seasoning.

5. Toss to combine. Enjoy!

If you loved this, you’ll definitely want to check out this incredible healthy vegetable kugel recipe too!

Yield: 10-12

Broccoli Slaw Salad

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Additional Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

This broccoli slaw salad recipe is my go-to for any family get together where I need a 5-minute salad that everyone loves! And bonus: it has no mayo - rather, it has a light vinegar dressing!

Print

Ingredients

• 1 bag (about 12 oz) broccoli slaw
• 1/2 cup toasted sliced or slivered almonds
• 1/2 cup candied pecans, lightly crushed into large chunks.
• 1/2 cup craisins
• 1 T honey (I usually just drizzle it on without measuring - the measurement is for those of you who need it!)
• 2 T olive oil (same as above)
• 2 T red wine vinegar (same...)
• Salt to taste
• 1 t Trader Joe's onion salt (or your favorite mild spice mix)

Instructions

1. In a heat-safe dish, cover your craisins with hot water and allow them to sit for 15 ish minutes. Drain them. This step is optional but adds some yummy juiciness to the craisins.
2. Dump your broccoli slaw into a large bowl.
3. Top with nuts and craisins.
4. Drizzle on olive oil, vinegar, honey, and seasoning.
5. Toss to combine. Enjoy!

Notes

If you're trying to make it nut free, add fresh granola and toasted ramen instead of the nuts. You can also swap out which nuts you use. This salad is best made fresh, to retain the crunch, but the leftovers will be yummy too. I usually soak the craisins in warm hot water for about 15 minutes first to plump them up, but that's optional.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

The post Easiest Party Crowd-Pleasing Broccoli Slaw Salad Recipe (no mayo!) appeared first on Jewish Moms & Crafters.

When I was going through my Purim stash last year, I realized that we were surprisingly short on Graggers. I don’t usually keep projects beyond the year they were made, and I like to offer my kids choices. I ended up shopping around a little and thought I’d share some favorites with you

I’ve organized this list of graggers for Purim by purpose – including graggers that you’d probably choose individually to have at home, novelty-style graggers and noisemakers that are more bulk-buys for parties and classrooms, and a handful of DIY ideas, focusing on easy-to-find materials.

I tried to include some unique finds as well, to give you ideas beyond the traditional ratchet gragger.

Fun and Pretty Graggers for Purim

Wooden Graggers

Last year, I picked up a jumbo wooden gragger (I believe at Amazing Savings). These are so much fun and great for older kids. They feel more mature and a little story-book like. While the one I got is not available online (or at least I couldn’t find it). This is a similar idea. – it’s just painted differently.

Or, go with something more artsy, like this Jerusalem scene one.

You can also go for a simpler plain wood one, that can be fun to decorate, or classy to leave as-is.

Musical Instruments as Purim Graggers

Anything that makes noise is a gragger! And we all know how noisy the kids’ musical instruments can be. Just make sure it’s something that can be stopped and started as needed so that the Chazzan can continue reading the Megillah.

Some ideas of musical instruments that can be used as graggers for Purim are:

• Tambourines
• A mini Djembe
• A more full-size spin drum (or Monkey drum)
• Or any easy to transport drum, like this wearable kids’ drum
• A harmonica

Gag Graggers that are loads of fun

There are so many gag noisemakers out there, and those are my kids’ favorites to choose every time. These are more on the creative end of things, and are really fun as a Purim gift or Purim carnival prize.

Air horn

I’m not gonna like, I hate this one – but the kids love it. An air horn makes a really loud blast of noise, and as long as the child knows when to stop, it’s fun to use.

The kids do fight over this one. It makes the kind of noise that stands out and is recognizable among the cacophony of noises when Haman’s name is said.

More fun “prank” noisemakers

One of my personal favorites is a hand bell. It’s a really fun one to bring to Megillah and to use. Years ago, I had a ceramic one from a friend that I liked to use for this purpose.

Depending on shul-style, audience, a game buzzer button can be a super fun way to X out Haman’s name in a way that kids can relate to.

A stadium horn is another fun noisemaker with big drama.

Party Favor/Bulk Graggers for Purim

If you’re a teacher or institution looking for graggers for Purim or other noisemakers to hand out, these are some fun traditional and non-traditional picks! These are great as party favors, as non-candy Mishloach Manot add-ons, and even as Purim sensory bin toys.

Traditional Gragger Favors

I picked up these graggers for my Purim sensory bin, and it’s a great one to have handy for all sorts of Purim needs! While not so pretty, they’re bright, colorful, and kid-friendly.

You an also get metal noisemakers for a bit of a more nostalgic feel – in a generic theme, or with fun Purim pictures.

Bulk novelty instruments

We have this fun light-up half tambourine that we keep as a dedicated Purim gragger. It adds a little party spirit to our Purim. In general, instruments give the whole gragger setup a more festive vibe.

Wood Maracas in a Purim theme or any plastic novelty maraca. Harmonicas in fun patterns also come in affordable bulk packs.

A few more musical instrument graggers for Purim that you can get in bulk as favors and group handouts:

• Plastic cymbals
• Mini trumpets
• Finger castanets make really fun instruments for little kids
• And another favorite is jingle bell shaker sticks.

More unique noisemakers that can be bought in bulk

These novelty noisemakers are super kid-friendly! Some also cross the line into instruments, but in a more approachable, kid-recognizable way.

• Clappers are a classic go-to
• Spin drums
• Party blowers (great if you need a lot and very cheap
• Train whistles

DIY Graggers for Purim

I created a big list of DIY noisemakers and Graggers for Purim, but here are a few favorites:

Guess the Sound Gragger Game

Make a few simple graggers and fill them with different fillings. Challenge people to guess what’s inside. It makes for a really fun Purim game – and it’s a gragger!

Pillow-Style Paper Graggers

These color & craft graggers can be crafted and assembled so many ways! They sandwich a filling (I used poly pellets) and are fun for kids to color and craft.

DIY Hand Drum Craft

And just to round things out, here’s a DIY instrument you can make: a DIY hand drum!

The post Graggers for Purim – 28 Traditional & Unique Noisemakers appeared first on Jewish Moms & Crafters.