I began working on Rosh Chodesh Adar. Not a moment too soon

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few years ago, the Kichels had a Venn diagram showing that shalach manos could have only two of three components — affordable, elegant, or simple. You gotta choose your priorities ‘cuz you can’t have it all.

This year, I was out to prove them wrong. I was going to get all three.

I always make cinnamon buns or rugelach for shalach manos. They’re elegant, and I’ve convinced myself that they’re not too big a patchke either. One year, I even had a whole shitah about how it made me a better mother. I was up late baking in my kitchen and therefore more available to schmooze with my teens.

But somehow, this year, the thought of taking out my Bosch four nights in a row was not enticing. Lucky for me, I thought about this early enough to find pretty but affordable boxes. They have been waiting patiently in my basement for the past few months.