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		Chabad.org » Jewish Holidays » Passover » How-To » Questions & Answers » Appropriate Seder Gift

8 Comments

What is an appropriate gift for my seder hosts?

By Chani Benjaminson

Question:

I've just been invited to attend my first seder ever. I am so excited and want to do the right things. What should I bring as a gift?

Can I bake chocolate chip cookies (no yeast in them)? Or would fruit be better?

Answer:

Thanks for writing, I'm sure your hosts will appreciate your sensitivity.

On Passover we not only refrain from using yeast, but we also don't use anything which contains flour, with the exception of certified Kosher for Passover matzah. Furthermore, anything we consume on Passover has to be prepared in dishes and utensils that have not been used for leavened foods (unless they have been rendered kosher for Passover use). Your best bet is to send a tray of fresh whole fruit. Other good options include a bouquet of flowers, or a Passover recipe book. I'm sure the gift will be much appreciated.

Click here for more Passover-themed gift ideas.

Click here to read up more on the concept of leavened and unleavened foods on Passover.

Best wishes,

Chani Benjaminson
Chabad.org

8 Comments

By Chani Benjaminson More articles... |

Chani Benjaminson is co-director of Chabad of the South Coast, coordinator of Chabad.org's Ask the Rabbi and Feedback department and is a member of the editorial staff of Chabad.org

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Reader Comments
Latest Comments:

Posted: Feb 13, 2011

Re: Vino...

Wine is generally acceptable when the hosts are Jewish and it is not shabbos.

However, be aware that wine is not an acceptable gift in these situations:

1. When visiting non-Jews whose religion does not allow alcohol consumption, do not bring wine as a gift.

2. If it is Shabbos, do not carry any gift to the home of Orthodox Jews, unless there is an enclosure around their home and the place from which you came.

3. Do not give wine to someone who cannot drink it for medical reasons. This includes anyone with liver problems.

4. In the United States, do not give wine to a person under 21. It is against the law. However, if their parents are there, you may give it to their parents.

5. Do not give wine to an alcoholic.

6. Do not give wine to a convicted prison who is allowed to be on parole or probation, instead of in jail or prison, only on the condition that he or she does not possess alcohol.

Posted By Anonymous, Camarillo, CA
via chabadcamarillo.com

Posted: Feb 1, 2011

Vino...

I was taught growing up to always bring wine when you are a dinner guest. (Assuming you have kosher wine available where you live...) You can never go wrong. Even if they don't serve it with the meal, they can enjoy it later.

(Again, check to make sure it's kosher for passover).

:)

Posted By Anonymous, Roanoke, VA

Posted: Mar 27, 2010

it's helpful... to not make any mistake

it's my first one for me too and all the comment were very helpful. thanks for explaining it's appreciated. So I think I will stick with a classic made by myself, a card thanking them for sharing their table and culture with me... I think it's safer because i don't exactly know what are the specific thing they do... so what you think about it?

Posted By Christopher, montreal, canada

Posted: Mar 25, 2010

To Stephen

My family doesn't buy any processed food. All we buy is: Veggies, Fruits, Matzah, Wine, Eggs, Meat (chicken), Fish & that's basically it.. Everything else is homemade.
Other families however are not so strict and buy processed food.

Posted By Chaya, NY, NY

Posted: Sep 10, 2009

hostess gift

I have appreciated it when a guest sends a floral arrangement early in the day for use on the Seder table.

Posted By Anonymous, charlottesville

Posted: Mar 19, 2009

Response

there are families i know who are extremely careful with what they buy.

Some use more processed ingredients than others. (this particular family i was mentioning does buy matzah and wine, and other foods) but, because each family has their own traditions what they buy, my suggestion would be to stay away from food items as gifts on pesach.

Does that help ?

Posted By Duby L.

Posted: Mar 19, 2009

Duby's comment about packaged foods

Duby L writes "the mom asked me to take it off the table because they don’t use ANY packaged foods ... "

Do they make their on Matzah and their own wine?

If not, how can you have a seder without using any packaged foods?

Are Matzah and wine sold in non-packaged forms? If they are not packaged, what prevents them from being exposed to chametz at the store?

Posted By Stephen Weinstein, Camarillo, CA
via chabadcamarillo.com

Posted: Mar 18, 2009

Great Question !

Hi,
i would also suggest a non- food gift simply because many families are sensitive about what they want in their house on pesach ... some people are stricter than others and i think it would just be easier to bring something that can be used, such as a pretty bowl, platter, wine decanter etc instead of food.

Just as an example, i was at my friends house and i was drinking a Kosher - for passover Seltzer bottle and the mom asked me to take it off the table becasue they dont use ANY packaged foods ...

Good luck, and enjoy your very first seder!

Posted By Duby L. , Morristown

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