Rosh Hashanah is on its way. Yes – New Year at the end of summer! Many of us don’t think much about this holiday unless your family, friends or business associates observe Jewish New Year, but it’s one of the holiest days of the year in the Hebrew calendar. So, more of your friends than you think are celebrating. Starting on September 20th this year, Rosh Hashanah is the perfect time to reflect on mistakes, and ask for forgiveness – which means it’s a great time to send an apology gift. If you’re not sure what to send, keep reading: This is your cheat sheet to the best Rosh Hashanah gifts you can send this season.
Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of humankind, and Jewish communities all over the world celebrate it. The festivities last for two days when the celebrants give gifts and share symbolic foods with family and friends. Speaking of which, there are many traditional Rosh Hashanah foods such as apples, honey, pomegranate, fish, and challah bread. These make popular gifts.
But in case you’re thinking about going off the beaten path this year and want to avoid sending a classic kosher gift basket or fruit hamper for Jewish New Year, yet you want your Rosh Hashanah gift to be as close to the traditional as possible, these ideas will ensure everyone on your list has a sweet and very special holiday.
HONEY
Nothing says Rosh Hashanah like honey and presenting your recipients with a jar (or two) of honey is always a great idea. But not just ANY honey, this is where you can demonstrate your thoughtfulness and good taste. When choosing honey as a gift, there are a couple of things to pay attention to. Packaging and flavor (or type). There are plenty of gorgeous gift jars on the market that will serve as a keepsake long after all the contents are gone. While you can always go for safe choices like Clover, Orange Blossom, or Buckwheat honey, something more sophisticated (and alas expensive) like Manuka or Comb honey will surely be a big hit with the connoisseurs.
What goes hand in hand with honey? The honey pots! These vessels bring a new level of significance to honey, something very important during Rosh Hashanah. There are so many cute honey pots out there from wooden and glass to ceramic and stainless steel. Most of them come with a wooden dipper and are absolutely essential for every family that celebrates Jewish New Year.
Your recipients are allergic to honey? You still have the option of giving them a gift that includes this important symbol: beeswax candles. Well, beeswax is not actually honey, but its byproduct. It is the most natural and non-toxic of all waxes, and it’s produced by honey bees. Beeswax candles are natural air cleaners which also contain propolis – a unique ingredient beneficial for our health. (To learn more about different types of candles go here).
Looking for another way to wish someone a sweet New Year? A pampering spa basket featuring body & skincare products with honey is an amazing gift to consider. The price range of such gifts can vary from reasonable to quite expensive since both luxury and mainstream beauty brands use honey in their skincare products. Honey can do wonders for your skin and it has a long history of providing beauty benefits. Packed with nutrients, natural antioxidants, and enzymes, honey is a great anti-aging agent facilitating the skin’s ability to rejuvenate. It also has antimicrobial properties and helps to keep the skin well-hydrated and soft.
Honey is an excellent natural ingredient for enhancing your hair’s beauty too! It nourishes dry, damaged, and dull-looking locks. It helps retain moisture and soothes dry, itchy scalp. It’s just a wonderful and easy way to keep your hair lustrous and healthy.
APPLES
Apples are a delicious and healthy gift traditionally given for Rosh Hashanah. We don’t have anything against good traditions but if you want to put a new spin on old-fashioned apples, give your loved ones home-made candy apples on a stick. First smothered in thick and chewy caramel, fresh crispy apples are rolled in a variety of yummy toppings. Try chocolate chips, crunchy nuts, and swizzles for a “just right” combination of tart and sweet. A common treat at many fall festivals, candy apples are great Rosh Hashanah gifts for kids and kids at heart.
If you’d like to go with something more traditional, a stylish apple and honey serving plate is another wonderful Rosh Hashanah gift idea. Every Jewish Family needs such a plate in their household so they can display the two main symbols of the holiday on their festive table. Including something for everyone, designs range from simple to intricate, making apple and honey serving plates easy to shop for, and hard to go wrong with.
For those who love both the taste and look of apples we have something else in mind. Surprise your recipients with an apple gift presented not in a gift basket, but on a t-shirt, apron, rug, or even art piece. A perfectly shaped fruit can add festive atmosphere and a touch of cozy color to their home. Creative, open-minded recipients will appreciate such an unusual spin on this most classic of all Rosh Hashanah gifts.
POMEGRANATE
Pomegranate is another way to wish someone both sweet and healthy New Year. Of course pomegranates can be given in a fruit basket along with apples and other Rosh Hashanah essentials, but we have a better idea. Just like a pomegranate is full of seeds, the new year will be full of merits for your recipients with Chocolate Covered Pomegranate Seeds. This delicious treat is the perfect gift for the chocolate lover who also wants the flavors of Rosh Hashanah.
Pomegranates are loaded with vitamins, potassium, folic acid, and iron. Make sure your recipients enjoy all the benefits of this wonderful fruit by giving them a natural Pomegranate extract supplement. Good for both men and women, this powerful antioxidant can help boost immune system, lower cholesterol, and improve cardiovascular health.
A symbol of life and beauty, the ruby-colored pomegranate has been cultivated since ancient times throughout the Mediterranean region. The fruit and its cluster of tiny seeds have been used not only for food and medicine, but also in skincare products. Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants found in pure Pomegranate Seed Oil are well-known for their ability to relieve dry skin and reduce wrinkles. It also has anti-inflammatory properties to unclog pores and relieve the symptoms of acne. Pomegranate seed oil is perfect for hair too. It naturally revitalizes, promotes healthy hair growth, repairs split ends, soothes dry scalp, and adds shine to your locks.
Many people seem to be perfectly happy to wrestle with a pomegranate to experience its hard-gotten but ultimately satisfying taste treasure. But it might be a good idea to provide your recipients with a much easier method to access those ruby red jewels that often cause so much trouble. To make sure no one sacrifices the amazing taste and all the health benefits of eating pomegranates, give them a Pomegranate Deseeder. It’s simple and effective, making it possible to de-seed the whole fruit in less than 1 minute. No more hassle, wasted time and ruined seeds. A real must have during the festival!
The culinary virtues of pomegranates have been praised in literature since the time immemorial. Now the fruit is enjoying the spotlight as one of the hot new culinary trends. Famed for its tart taste and symbolism of royalty and fertility, the pomegranate is guaranteed to perk up almost any meal. Teach your recipients how to bring stimulating flavor and style to their dishes by giving them a Book of Recipes with Pomegranate. Along with a comprehensive collection of delicious recipes, it also gives useful tips on how to buy and use this delectable fruit, which will come especially in handy during Jewish New Year.
Whether you decide to go with a traditional Rosh Hashanah gift, something more unusual, or a combination of both, make sure to Wish L’Shana Tova – Happy Sweet New Year – to your family, friends, or business associates who observe Jewish New Year anywhere in the world.
Ready to share some sweetness?
– Visit our website to choose the perfect gift for Jewish New Year.
– Continue reading: Holiday Recipes: Rosh Hashanah Essentials
– Share with friends by clicking on your favorite social media links below.
Gift Baskets Overseas collective of authors and content creators.