Mel’s Ten Tips for Hiding the Afikoman

Hiding the Afikoman is a fine art. On the one hand you don’t want the kids opening your safe or running a knife through your Rembrandt. On the other hand, make it too easy and you won’t have them out of your hair for more than thirty seconds.

Photo: Cracks are a good possibility. Matzo fits perfectly in a crack.

If you had 1000 old LPs, slipping the Afikoman into a Nat King Cole Record will keep them busy. Hopefully they won’t leave fingermarks all over your Beatles classics.

If you’re pressed for time, hiding the Afikoman under the cover of the ironing board is a safe bet. Unless they kick it over.

Make sure the iron is unplugged and out of reach.

The oven is a good place. Just don’t turn it on.

If the kids are four or under, hiding the Afikoman under a tablecloth is a safe bet.

If there is nothing on the tablecloth.

In the piano is a cool option, but make sure it won’t close on their tiny fingers.

If you have an old laptop that you don’t mind being tampered with, you can hide it inside.

We recommend Dell (“matzoh inside”)

but others work too.

Behind a picture is only recommended as a last resort. Kids will be kids. Make sure it’s an inexpensive painting, perhaps one you’d be happy to see destroyed.

This painting is by my Mother-in-law. I love it. I had better.

One option is sticking the Afikoman straight into the sofa. Not such a good idea if you sit on it, though.

If you are portly, no one will notice the Afikoman hidden under your shirt. Be sure to wear a clean undershirt. Try not to bend over.

If all else fails, conceal it in the lampshade.

Keep a fire extinguisher handy in case someone turns on the lamp at it catches fire. That’s what I call an afikoman afterthought. Just saying.

Happy Passover, everyone!!