Daily Cheapskate: Round-Up of Purim and Shalach Manos AKA Mishloach Manot Deals (over 60 of them!)

This year, Purim falls out on the evening of 3/11/17, which means that it's (gulp) 34 days away. As with any holiday, one of the best ways to save money and hair-tearing-out on Purim is to buy what you need for it in advance and in a relaxed, unfrenzied way. Amazon is just swimming in great deals on supplies for Purim and for Mishloach Manot AKA Shalach Manos AKA Purim Packages.

(I know some of you can do better at local stores, but we can't all live next to an Amazing Savings, LOL.)

Please make sure you check the dimensions of the product that you are ordering so that there will be no surprises when it arrives. Pictures can be deceiving; look at measurements. Some of these bags are meant to hold loose candy/food inside of larger shalach manos containers, so those bags will be much smaller.

How much you spend on your Shalach Manos is a very personal matter.

We divvy our Shalach Manos up into two categories: fancyshmancy thank-you ones (these go to people who have done us special favors during the year) and en masse ones (these are the smaller one that we give to our friends and the general community). Passover follows Purim by 4 weeks, and no one wants a ton of junk in their homes on the day after Purim, so we go for quality rather than quantity items in our fancyshmancy ones, and put only 4-5 food items in our en masse ones. We don't do "themes." It's not our style, we don't have kids, I'm not a big baker, and I don't have time to be that creative.

That said, I'm not critical of overly-done Shalach Manos (though they do sometimes make me laugh) because if it gets kids more engaged in Purim and the idea of enjoying giving and sharing, well, that is priceless. But if you can do the same Mishloach Manot for less by snagging deals on Amazon, why wouldn't you?

I know some of you have expressed other priorities in putting together Shalach Manos packages: using re-usable as opposed to disposable containers, using only healthy or organic food, etc. I have posted some deals on bags that are re-usable here, but keep in mind that they will be a little pricier than disposable ones. As far as healthy food goes, well, you're on your own there!

I'd love to hear about your Mishloach Manot strategies, so send them on down or even better, post them on the Daily Cheapskate Facebook page.

The closer we get to Purim, the higher these prices tend to climb, so shop early and shop well.

BAGS:

12-count small canvas handled re-usable bags for $6.99 with free Prime/SuperSaver shipping (58 cents per bag).

24-count polyester handled re-usable bags for $10.99 with free Prime/SuperSaver shipping (46 cents per bag).

100-piece blue organza drawstring bags for $12.98 with free Prime/SuperSaver shipping (13 cents each). These are VERY small, so they are best used for holding loose candy (like jellybeans and the like) inside of a larger Shalach Manos container.

12-count green paper bags, $1.70 (14 cents per bag)
12-count orange paper bags, $2.64 (22 cents per bag)
12 count lavender paper bags, $2.00 (17 cents per bag)
12-count ruby red paper bags, $1.70 (14 cents per bag)
12-count deep purple paper bags, $1.70 (14 cents per bag)
12-count powder blue paper bags, $1.70 (14 cents per bag)

12-count neon gift bags for $7.99 with free Prime/SuperSaver shipping. (67 cents per bag). Tissue liner NOT included. Smaller versions of these bags are over here, at 12 for $5.99 with free Prime/SuperSaver shipping (50 cents per bag).

50-count pack of assorted color plastic bags for $6.24 with free Prime/SuperSaver shipping ($0.12 per plastic bag). Tissue liner NOT included.

12-count pack of assorted drawstring canvas bags measuring 4.5" x 7", is $7.18 with free Prime/SuperSaver shipping and free returns ($0.60 per canvas bag).

60-count colorful print gift bags for $27.99 with free Prime/Supersaver shipping ($0.47 per bag). (Please note that even though they appear in the photo, there are no tags on these bags.)

Want to do a greener Mishloach Manot? 25-count REUSABLE bags that come in 15 different colors for $21.99 with free Prime/SuperSaver shipping ($0.88 per reusable bag).

12-count silver polka dot small bags for $8.99 with free Prime/SuperSaver shipping (75 cents each).

12-count Frosted Star Gift Bags for $7.30 with free Prime/SuperSaver shipping (0.61 per bag).

100-count pack of Wilton 4" x 6" Party Bags for $3.30 (Amazon Add-On item) (3 cents per bag).

12-count purse-shaped gift bags for $10.75 with free Prime/SuperSaver shipping. That comes to about $0.90 per bag.

24-count white gift bags for $12.99 with free Prime/SuperSaver shipping (54 cents each).

Amazon has got this 12-pack of chevron gift bags for $9.99 with free Prime/SuperSaver shipping (83 cents each). Tissue paper is not included.

12-count Bright Tote Bags for $5.65 with free shipping (47 cents each; no Prime account required; items arrive in about a week)

12-count pack of black and white striped gift bags for $7.56 with free Prime/SuperSaver shipping ($0.63 per bag).

20-count pack of clear cellophane bags with big pink polka dots for $7.04 with free Prime/SuperSaver shipping (35 cents per bag).

THEME BAGS:

24-count smiley bags for $9.97 with free Prime/SuperSaver shipping (42 cents per bag).

12-count LEGO bags for $7.50 with free Prime/SuperSaver shipping (63 cents per bag).

12-count Ninja bags for $8.83 with free Prime/SuperSaver shipping (74 cents each).

12-count 10" tie-dye paper bags for $5.12 (Amazon Add-On item) ($0.43 per bag).

12-count cellophane ladybug bags (approximately 12" x 5" for) $3.03 (Amazon Add-On item) ($0.25 per bag).

8 Frozen loot bags for $3.67 with free Prime/SuperSaver shipping (46 cents per bag).

12-count Frozen handled gift bags for $9.38 with free Prime/SuperSaver shipping (78 cents each).

This is the one deal that's not on Amazon, but at Walmart, which had a much lower price: 8-count Star Wars Episode VII Bags for $1.99 with free in-store pickup (or free shipping with a $50 minimum order). (25 cents per bag).

BOXES: