Suggested Timeline for Rosh Hashanah 2018

April 18, 2018

Important:  The dates below are simply suggestions. There is plenty of wiggle room in this timeline.

  1. In June
    1. Make sure you get your contract in to qualify for the Happy Rosh Hashanah early bird discount (June 4)
    2. Identify the people who will run the fundraiser. Often it’s one or two people to handle the website and marketing of the fundraiser, and a separate group that’s in charge of the baskets.
  2. In July
    1. Figure out where you’re getting your Honey jars or cards from.
    2. Compile (or get from organization office) a list of all the members in your organization. Make sure to double check for accuracy!
    3. Send the list to HappyRoshHashanah.com support to update your online database or update it on your own. You can email the list to support@happyroshhashanah.com, but please make sure it’s in the proper format!
    4. Finalize all details of your Rosh Hashanah fundraiser and setup your account via the administrative website.
  3. July 8 – July 15
    1. Prepare an email and/or letter to your members informing them of the details of your Rosh Hashanah project. (HappyRoshHashanah has templates available)
    2. If you have a large contingent of non-internet users, prepare a physical order form or download Happy Purim’s order form.
    3. Have your order forms, envelopes and/or mailing labels printed. (not necessary if you’re only emailing your members)
    4. Make sure you have volunteers to help with the folding and stuffing on August 16th!
  4. On July 18, Wednesday – Prepare mailing: Fold and Stuff!
  5. On July 19, Thursday – Mail or email order forms.   Typically 3-6 weeks is a good ordering window. Read this post for a discussion about the length of ordering windows.
  6. August 27, 11:59pm (Monday) – Deadline for placing orders
  7. August 28 through August 31 – Print and Mail your cards or honey jars.

Make sure you include the names of the people sending to each recipient.  Using HappyRoshHashanah.com, this only takes a few clicks of your mouse!

Note that you’ve got a bit of wiggle room here to extend your deadline if necessary. Make sure you leave enough time to print and mail, and if you’re selling honey jars, enough time to place an order with your supplier.

  1. September 9 – Rosh Hashanah!
  2. Sometime after Rosh Hashanah – Bill for reciprocity charges.  Not necessary if using HappyRoshHashanah.com, it’s automated!

You should modify the above timeline to fit your needs. If we missed anything, or you’ve got a suggestion to add please let us know by emailing support@happyroshhashanah.com!

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Suggested Timeline for Purim 2018

October 4, 2017

Important:  The dates below are simply suggestions. There is plenty of wiggle room in this timeline.  It’s often best to work BACKWARDS when creating your own timeline, based upon when you need to order supplies for your mishloach manot.

  1. In November
    1. Make sure you get your contract in to qualify for the Happy Purim early bird discount (November 8th)
    2. Sign up for a Happy Purim web tutorial.
    3. Identify the people who will run the fundraiser. Often it’s one or two people to handle the website and marketing of the fundraiser, and a separate group that’s in charge of the baskets.
    4. Decide on a “theme” for your baskets (not necessary, but popular; click here to see a list of 20+ mishloach manot themes).
  2. In December
    1. Figure out where you’re getting your Mishloach Monos supplies or ready made packages from.
    2. Compile (or get from organization office) a list of all the members in your organization. Make sure to double check for accuracy! 
    3. Send the list to HappyPurim.com support to update your online database or update it on your own.
    4. Finalize all details of your Purim fundraiser and setup your account via the administrative website.
  3. Prior to January 2nd, 2018
    1. Prepare an email and/or letter to your members informing them of the details of your Purim project. (HappyPurim has templates available)
    2. If you have a large contingent of non-internet users, prepare a physical order form or download Happy Purim’s order form.
    3. Have your order forms, envelopes and/or mailing labels printed. (not necessary if you’re only emailing your members)
    4. Make sure you have volunteers to help with the folding and stuffing on January 2nd.
  4. On January 2nd, Monday – Prepare mailing: Fold and Stuff!
  5. On January 3rd, Tuesday – Mail or email order forms.   Typically 3-6 weeks is a good ordering window. Read this post for a discussion about the length of ordering windows.
  6. February 15th 11:59pm (Thursday) – Deadline for placing orders. End your fundraiser on a weekday to ensure that anyone who received a reminder email at their work email has a chance to place a last minute order. 
  7. February 18th thru February 23rd – Note that you’ve got a bit of wiggle room here to extend your deadline if necessary. Just make sure you leave enough time to purchase your basket supplies and assemble the mishloach manot.
    1. Pack the Shalach Monos.
    2. Print your “scrolls” – that is, the personalized letters that list all the names of the people sending to each recipient.  If using HappyPurim.com, this only takes a few clicks of your mouse!
  8. March 1st – Purim! – Distribute the Mishloach Manot. if you haven’t yet Congratulations – take a well deserved break and enjoy your Purim! 
  9. Sometime after Purim – Bill for reciprocity charges.  Not necessary if using HappyPurim.com, it’s automated!

You should modify the above timeline to fit your needs. If we missed anything, or you’ve got a suggestion to add please let us know!

This calendar is designed for users of Happy Purim’s Shalach Manot Software based upon our experience. Click here for a post with more details for anyone still doing this manually.)

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Suggested Timeline for Rosh Hashanah 2017

April 5, 2017

Important:  The dates below are simply suggestions. There is plenty of wiggle room in this timeline.

  1. In June
    1. Make sure you get your contract in to qualify for the Happy Rosh Hashanah early bird discount (June 15)
    2. Identify the people who will run the fundraiser. Often it’s one or two people to handle the website and marketing of the fundraiser, and a separate group that’s in charge of the baskets.
  2. In July
    1. Figure out where you’re getting your Honey jars or cards from.
    2. Compile (or get from organization office) a list of all the members in your organization. Make sure to double check for accuracy!
    3. Send the list to HappyRoshHashanah.com support to update your online database or update it on your own. You can email the list to support@happyroshhashanah.com, but please make sure it’s in the proper format!
    4. Finalize all details of your Rosh Hashanah fundraiser and setup your account via the administrative website.
  3. July 20 – July 27
    1. Prepare an email and/or letter to your members informing them of the details of your Rosh Hashanah project. (HappyRoshHashanah has templates available)
    2. If you have a large contingent of non-internet users, prepare a physical order form or download Happy Purim’s order form.
    3. Have your order forms, envelopes and/or mailing labels printed. (not necessary if you’re only emailing your members)
    4. Make sure you have volunteers to help with the folding and stuffing on August 16th!
  4. On August 2, Wednesday – Prepare mailing: Fold and Stuff!
  5. On August 3, Thursday – Mail or email order forms.   Typically 3-6 weeks is a good ordering window. Read this post for a discussion about the length of ordering windows.
  6. September 7, 11:59pm (Thursday) – Deadline for placing orders
  7. September 8 through September 15 – Print and Mail your cards or honey jars.

Make sure you include the names of the people sending to each recipient.  Using HappyRoshHashanah.com, this only takes a few clicks of your mouse!

Note that you’ve got a bit of wiggle room here to extend your deadline if necessary. Make sure you leave enough time to print and mail, and if you’re selling honey jars, enough time to place an order with your supplier.

  1. September 21 – Rosh Hashanah!
  2. Sometime after Rosh Hashanah – Bill for reciprocity charges.  Not necessary if using HappyRoshHashanah.com, it’s automated!

You should modify the above timeline to fit your needs. If we missed anything, or you’ve got a suggestion to add please let us know by emailing support@happyroshhashanah.com!

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Suggested Timeline for Purim 2017

September 8, 2016

Important:  The dates below are simply suggestions. There is plenty of wiggle room in this timeline.  It’s often best to work BACKWARDS when creating your own timeline, based upon when you need to order supplies for your mishloach manot.

  1. In November
    1. Make sure you get your contract in to qualify for the Happy Purim early bird discount (November 21st)
    2. Sign up for a Happy Purim web tutorial.
    3. Identify the people who will run the fundraiser. Often it’s one or two people to handle the website and marketing of the fundraiser, and a separate group that’s in charge of the baskets.
    4. Decide on a “theme” for your baskets (not necessary, but popular; click here to see a list of 20+ mishloach manot themes).
  2. In December
    1. Figure out where you’re getting your Mishloach Monos supplies or ready made packages from.
    2. Compile (or get from organization office) a list of all the members in your organization. Make sure to double check for accuracy! 
    3. Send the list to HappyPurim.com support to update your online database or update it on your own.
    4. Finalize all details of your Purim fundraiser and setup your account via the administrative website.
  3. Prior to January 15, 2017
    1. Prepare an email and/or letter to your members informing them of the details of your Purim project. (HappyPurim has templates available)
    2. If you have a large contingent of non-internet users, prepare a physical order form or download Happy Purim’s order form.
    3. Have your order forms, envelopes and/or mailing labels printed. (not necessary if you’re only emailing your members)
    4. Make sure you have volunteers to help with the folding and stuffing on January 15.
  4. On January 15, Sunday – Prepare mailing: Fold and Stuff!
  5. On January 16, Monday – Mail or email order forms.   Typically 3-6 weeks is a good ordering window. Read this post for a discussion about the length of ordering windows.
  6. March 2 11:59pm (Thursday) – Deadline for placing orders. End your fundraiser on a weekday to ensure that anyone who received a reminder email at their work email has a chance to place a last minute order. 
  7. March 5 thru March 10 – Note that you’ve got a bit of wiggle room here to extend your deadline if necessary. Just make sure you leave enough time to purchase your basket supplies and assemble the mishloach manot.
    1. Pack the Shalach Monos.
    2. Print your “scrolls” – that is, the personalized letters that list all the names of the people sending to each recipient.  If using HappyPurim.com, this only takes a few clicks of your mouse!
  8. March 12 – Purim! – Distribute the Mishloach Manot. if you haven’t yet Congratulations – take a well deserved break and enjoy your Purim! 
  9. Sometime after Purim – Bill for reciprocity charges.  Not necessary if using HappyPurim.com, it’s automated!

You should modify the above timeline to fit your needs. If we missed anything, or you’ve got a suggestion to add please let us know!

This calendar is designed for users of Happy Purim’s Shalach Manot Software based upon our experience. Click here for a post with more details for anyone still doing this manually.)

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Suggested Timeline for Rosh Hashanah 2016

May 18, 2016

Important:  The dates below are simply suggestions. There is plenty of wiggle room in this timeline.

  1. In June
    1. Make sure you get your contract in to qualify for the Happy Rosh Hashanah early bird discount (July 4)
    2. Identify the people who will run the fundraiser. Often it’s one or two people to handle the website and marketing of the fundraiser, and a separate group that’s in charge of the baskets.
  2. In July
    1. Figure out where you’re getting your Honey jars or cards from.
    2. Compile (or get from organization office) a list of all the members in your organization. Make sure to double check for accuracy!
    3. Send the list to HappyRoshHashanah.com support to update your online database or update it on your own. You can email the list to support@happyroshhashanah.com, but please make sure it’s in the proper format!
    4. Finalize all details of your Rosh Hashanah fundraiser and setup your account via the administrative website.
  3. August 3 – August 10
    1. Prepare an email and/or letter to your members informing them of the details of your Rosh Hashanah project. (HappyRoshHashanah has templates available)
    2. If you have a large contingent of non-internet users, prepare a physical order form or download Happy Purim’s order form.
    3. Have your order forms, envelopes and/or mailing labels printed. (not necessary if you’re only emailing your members)
    4. Make sure you have volunteers to help with the folding and stuffing on August 16th!
  4. On August 16, Tuesday – Prepare mailing: Fold and Stuff!
  5. On August 17, Wednesday – Mail or email order forms.   Typically 3-6 weeks is a good ordering window. Read this post for a discussion about the length of ordering windows.
  6. September 15, 11:59pm (Sunday) – Deadline for placing orders
  7. September 15 through September 26 – Print and Mail your cards or honey jars.

Make sure you include the names of the people sending to each recipient.  Using HappyRoshHashanah.com, this only takes a few clicks of your mouse!

Note that you’ve got a bit of wiggle room here to extend your deadline if necessary. Make sure you leave enough time to print and mail, and if you’re selling honey jars, enough time to place an order with your supplier.

  1. October 2 – Rosh Hashanah!
  2. Sometime after Rosh Hashanah – Bill for reciprocity charges.  Not necessary if using HappyRoshHashanah.com, it’s automated!

You should modify the above timeline to fit your needs. If we missed anything, or you’ve got a suggestion to add please let us know by emailing support@happyroshhashanah.com!

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Suggested Timeline for Purim 2016

October 14, 2015

Important:  The dates below are simply suggestions. There is plenty of wiggle room in this timeline.  It’s often best to work BACKWARDS when creating your own timeline, based upon when you need to order supplies for your mishloach manot.

  1. In December
    1. Make sure you get your contract in to qualify for the Happy Purim early bird discount (November 24th)
    2. Sign up for a Happy Purim web tutorial.
    3. Identify the people who will run the fundraiser. Often it’s one or two people to handle the website and marketing of the fundraiser, and a separate group that’s in charge of the baskets.
    4. Decide on a “theme” for your baskets (not necessary, but popular; click here to see a list of 20+ mishloach manot themes).
  2. In January
    1. Figure out where you’re getting your Mishloach Monos supplies or ready made packages from.
    2. Compile (or get from organization office) a list of all the members in your organization. Make sure to double check for accuracy! 
    3. Send the list to HappyPurim.com support to update your online database or update it on your own.
    4. Finalize all details of your Purim fundraiser and setup your account via the administrative website.
  3. Prior to January 24, 2016
    1. Prepare an email and/or letter to your members informing them of the details of your Purim project. (HappyPurim has templates available)
    2. If you have a large contingent of non-internet users, prepare a physical order form or download Happy Purim’s order form.
    3. Have your order forms, envelopes and/or mailing labels printed. (not necessary if you’re only emailing your members)
    4. Make sure you have volunteers to help with the folding and stuffing on January 24.
  4. On January 24, Sunday – Prepare mailing: Fold and Stuff!
  5. On January 25, Monday – Mail or email order forms.   Typically 3-6 weeks is a good ordering window. Read this post for a discussion about the length of ordering windows.
  6. March 17 11:59pm (Thursday) – Deadline for placing orders. End your fundraiser on a weekday to ensure that anyone who received a reminder email at their work email has a chance to place a last minute order. 
  7. March 17 thru March 22 – Note that you’ve got a bit of wiggle room here to extend your deadline if necessary. Just make sure you leave enough time to purchase your basket supplies and assemble the mishloach manot.
    1. Pack the Shalach Monos.
    2. Print your “scrolls” – that is, the personalized letters that list all the names of the people sending to each recipient.  If using HappyPurim.com, this only takes a few clicks of your mouse!
  8. March 24 – Purim! – Distribute the Mishloach Manot. if you haven’t yet Congratulations – take a well deserved break and enjoy your Purim! 
  9. Sometime after Purim – Bill for reciprocity charges.  Not necessary if using HappyPurim.com, it’s automated!

You should modify the above timeline to fit your needs. If we missed anything, or you’ve got a suggestion to add please let us know!

This calendar is designed for users of Happy Purim’s Shalach Manot Software based upon our experience. Click here for a post with more details for anyone still doing this manually.)

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Suggested Timeline for Rosh Hashanah 2015

July 10, 2014

Important:  The dates below are simply suggestions. There is plenty of wiggle room in this timeline.

  1. In June
    1. Make sure you get your contract in to qualify for the Happy Purim early bird discount (June 14)
    2. Identify the people who will run the fundraiser. Often it’s one or two people to handle the website and marketing of the fundraiser, and a separate group that’s in charge of the baskets.
  2. In July
    1. Figure out where you’re getting your Honey jars or cards from.
    2. Compile (or get from organization office) a list of all the members in your organization. Make sure to double check for accuracy! 
    3. Send the list to HappyRoshHashanah.com support to update your online database or update it on your own. You can email the list to support@happyroshhashanah.com, but please make sure it’s in the proper format!
    4. Finalize all details of your Rosh Hashanah fundraiser and setup your account via the administrative website.
  3.  July 14 – July 21
    1. Prepare an email and/or letter to your members informing them of the details of your Rosh Hashanah project. (HappyRoshHashanah has templates available)
    2. If you have a large contingent of non-internet users, prepare a physical order form or download Happy Purim’s order form.
    3. Have your order forms, envelopes and/or mailing labels printed. (not necessary if you’re only emailing your members)
    4. Make sure you have volunteers to help with the folding and stuffing on August 4th.
  4. On July 27, Monday – Prepare mailing: Fold and Stuff!
  5. On July 28, Tuesday – Mail or email order forms.   Typically 3-6 weeks is a good ordering window. Read this post for a discussion about the length of ordering windows.
  6. September 1, 11:59pm (Sunday) – Deadline for placing orders
  7. September 1 through September 8 – Print and Mail your cards or honey jars.

Make sure you include the names of the people sending to each recipient.  Using HappyRoshHashanah.com, this only takes a few clicks of your mouse!

Note that you’ve got a bit of wiggle room here to extend your deadline if necessary. Make sure you leave enough time to print and mail, and if you’re selling honey jars, enough time to place an order with your supplier.

  1. September 14 – Rosh Hashanah! 
  2. Sometime after Rosh Hashanah – Bill for reciprocity charges.  Not necessary if using HappyRoshHashanah.com, it’s automated!

You should modify the above timeline to fit your needs. If we missed anything, or you’ve got a suggestion to add please let us know!

 

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Dollars and Sense–update

November 1, 2010

We get lots of questions about this post from 2007. It’s likely because it was an overly simplistic answer to one of the most important decisions that you’ll need to make when running a Mishloach Manot fundraiser: How much to charge?

There really is no simple answer. Every community is different and every organization has different dynamics. Demographics play a large part in this decision, but the type of organization you are plays an even larger role. We see some synagogues with 1,000+ members in affluent areas that raise less than synagogues with 300 members in non-affluent areas.

What’s the key factor?  How well your members know each other. Are you a close-knit community? Do most of your congregants show up to your events?  If all of your members know each other, you’ll likely have very large orders, IF you price it right. If your members receive from 50 people on average, you can charge $2 per name, and you’ll gross $100 per recipient!

If your members don’t know each other, charging $1-2 per name won’t necessarily mean larger order sizes. And besides, you’ll need to charge more just to cover the cost of the baskets. If your members’ receive from only 1-3 people, you may need to charge $5-$7 just to cover your costs.

There are lots of ways to “play” with your pricing using HappyPurim.com, such as buy 5 get 1 free, or special group or bulk discounts, that have shown tremendous success.

There’s a lot more at play here that can be covered in a couple of blog posts. Please feel free to call us at 201-47-PURIM, or email sales@happypurim(dot)com to learn more about what we’ve learned from helping run hundreds of Purim project fundraisers over the years.

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Ordering Window – Is More or Less Time Better?

December 3, 2008

You basically want to work backwards to figure out the timing for your Purim fundraiser.

The key question is: How far in advance do you need to know exactly how many baskets you will need? (if you’re planning on sending to your entire membership list, then this question is moot)

The deadline should be a few days to a week before that date to allow for any unforeseen circumstances as well as time for data entry if you’re also sending out paper order forms.

Our experience tells us that you don’t want to send information about your Purim fundraiser until after Chanukah at the earliest, as people aren’t in the Purim frame of mind yet. You probably also want to wait until after winter break is over, so your emails and letters don’t sit unread in a pile of mail (for those that go away). Additionally, should try to create a sense of urgency—you want people to take immediate action with your letter or email. If you give them too much time to respond, they’ll simply stick your mailing in their to-do list, and possibly forget about it. We think 3-4 weeks is a good amount of time to allow for your members to respond. Some also build in an extra week, or weekend, for an extension. That is, they will say the deadline is Friday afternoon, but then extend it until Sunday night to allow for one last marketing push via emails, phone calls, announcements in synagogues and newsletters from schools.

Some people are philosophically opposed to this—especially the thought of PLANNING to allow the deadline to be moved, but that is for each to decide on their own.

Please Click Here for a comprehensive calendar/timeline.

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20 Mishloach Manot Themes

November 14, 2008

Here’s a list of Purim basket themes as promised. Thank you very much to all of you who emailed your favorite themes to me! Feel free to add more themes to the comments below.

-HappyPurim!

UPDATE: Need more ideas? Want to see pictures? See the beautiful Mishloach Manot pictures sent to us by our clients by clicking here.

 

1. Coffee or Café’ Manot: coffee, sugar packets/Splenda, min-container of creamer, coffee cake, biscotti, Hamentaschen. This is really cute when packaged in a large coffee mug. You can even get the mugs personalized for an extra special touch.

2. Healthy Mishloach Manot:  whole wheat Hamentaschen, nuts, fruit (fresh or dried), dark chocolate.

3. Israeli Purim Basket: Israeli crackers, a little tub of chummus, olives with a box of herbal tea and a “Jaffa” orange.

4. Israeli #2: an assortment of blue and white products.

5. Spices:  spice cake, an herbal spice tea, cinnamon sticks, and an orange. Consider adding scented candles, small scented lotion, for an extra special touch.

6. Wine Mishloach Manot: bottle of dry wine, crackers and cheese. Possibly in a small picnic basket.

7. Wine Mishloach Manot #2: a California Cabernet Sauvignon, good dark chocolate. Possibly in a small picnic basket.

8. Picnic Mishloach Manot – Salmon: can of salmon or tuna, a mini bottle of mayo (or packets), a small onion, crackers, napkins and plastic cutlery.

9. Picnic Mishloach Manot – Salami:  dried salami, a bottle of mustard, crackers or Kaiser rolls, napkins and plastic cutlery.

10. “Good Night” or “Sleepy Time”: Sleepy Time tea, hot cocoa mix, cookies and milk. Consider adding a sleep mask, for an extra special touch.

11. “Nutty Purim”, “Oh Nuts” or “Go Nuts”: a bag of nuts, a mini-bottle of Frangelico (Hazelnut liquor), hazelnut coffee, Snickers or Egozi bar, and a coconut for a unique touch.

12. “Absolut Nuts”: Same as above, but substitute a bottle of Absolut for the Hazelnut liquor. (you can use the Absolut theme for just about anything)

13. Baseball: Peanuts, popcorn, cracker jacks, cotton candy, soda.

14. “Vegas” or “Casino”: A small bottle of booze, chips (potato and chocolate) a lottery ticket, a deck of card or dice.

15. Shiva Minim Manot, The Seven Species of Israel – Hamentaschen (wheat), beer (barley), dates, grape juice/raisins/wine (grapes), olives, figs and a pomegranate (or pomegranate juice or jelly)

16. Breakfast at Tiffany: Items that would be good for breakfast such as coffee, oatmeal, breakfast bars and were able to include a coffee mug that we put our sisterhood logo on.

17. “Movie Manot”: Microwave popcorn bucket or movie theater popcorn bucket filled with Twizzlers, soda, M ’n Ms, Reeses Pieces, movie rental coupon (or a dvd).

18. Beach theme: A sand pail as the bucket and filled it with goodies one would eat at the beach along with a puzzle book that they would use at the beach.  Believe it or not salt water taffy is kosher.

19. The Big Apple: This one can either be a NY theme, or an apple theme. Either way, distribute in an “I Love NY” bag

20. Black and White Shalach Monos: Oreos, marshmallows, black and white cookies and chocolate milk.

UPDATE: Need more ideas? Want to see pictures? See the beautiful Mishloach Manot pictures sent to us by our clients by clicking here.

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Posted in The Basics | 23 Comments »

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