How To Make Fun Upsherin-Chalaka Decorations

Wondering how to make fun upsherin-chalaka decorations, namely for the Jewish celebration for the first haircut of a boy around three years old? On shabbos we had guests who were arriving with their almost three year old son, who was to have his haircut within a few days, so I just had to make some quick decorations to celebrate the wonderful ocassion with them, and most importantly to make it exciting for him! This carved wooden parrot, a souvenir from Panama often shows up at our family birthday parties, so making him a kippa and tzit tzit (both of which the 3 year old boy starts wearing once he gets his hair cut) seemed like a fun idea, and the results are, I must say, truly adorable.

And do consider making a bunch of tiny origami stars, to add to the fun. That is not a quick endeavor though, so maybe make them to have on hand for future festive get togethers. I sprinkle them around and then collect them afterwards to use again. Okay, but about that parrot with the kippa and tzit tzit…….

You’ll Need:

• a scrap of vinyl, leather, felt, or anything that won’t unravel

• white paper

• white string/embroidery floss

• a black pen

• hot glue

• masking tape

How To:

Cut out a circle from the vinyl, cut a slit in it to the center, fold onto itself to make a kippa shape and secure with hot glue. Adhere to carved bird with a loop of masking tape inside.

Do a test run with the tzit tzit to see what size you”ll need. On the final version add the strings using an embroidery needle with a large eye, and simply tie a knot. Add black stripes, the number 3 or any message you like.

Enjoy! A whole collection of these would be amazing, right?