Be True to Your Theme
After you’ve determined the scope of the reception, check in with your child before you do any planning. After all, the bar/bat mitzvah ceremony marks a pivotal moment when boys and girls become responsible for their own actions and relationships to family, community and religion. Ask them what becoming a bar or bat mitzvah means to them, what their values are and what motivates them. See if an obvious party theme emerges from this discussion. Perhaps your tween is passionate about the environment—prompting an animal or “green” theme. If your child enjoys travel, a round-the-world theme might work. If a theme doesn’t naturally arise, work with your child on developing a favorite color scheme that will tie together invitations and décor.
Start Spreading the News
Once you’ve arrived at a theme, it’s time to get out the invitation or save-the-date card. There are loads of downloadable designs online that you can customize and print at home. For a more classic look, indulge in letterpress invitations at your local stationery store or online retailer. If your tween is the artsy type and your invite list isn’t too long, encourage the guest of honor to make his or her own custom invitations. For a fun homage to vintage crafting, consider block-printing invitations with an easily carved printing block found at an art supply store.
Décor and More
The sky’s the limit on décor. For a classic, unified look, stay consistent with your theme or color scheme to raise the wow-factor of your child’s event. Involve him or her in thinking creatively about ideas that unify the party, from the choice of the candles used in initial lighting ceremony to the party favors your guests will take home. For instance, enhance a beach theme with sand and shells strewn on the tables. If music is your preteen’s passion, create a photo backdrop with a mic, wigs and props to make an Instagrammable pop star of each of your guests. If your soon-to-be 13-year-old doesn't want to narrow down the decor to a single theme or color scheme, that's no problem. Consider designating a theme for each party table and creating miniature tablescapes that speak to your child's many interests. No matter how you decorate, involving the guest of honor with design decisions will special memories before the party ever starts.
Eat! Eat!
Think beyond classic party fare for this festive event. Set up an expanded Mediterranean buffet that includes trays containing shawarma, falafel, fresh salads and a hummus bar. Or mix up several food stations to accommodate a variety of palates. Set up separate tables for Asian, Mexican, Polynesian and Italian fare, making sure there is a vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free option for each spread. Delight the young crowd’s collective sweet tooth with candy sushi, a cotton candy station or cake pops arranged on an elevated server. If you are having a mitzvah cake, order a theme-oriented one from a baker, or take a stab at making your own Torah cake by placing two jelly rolls at either end of a large sheet cake and unifying the three with white icing and piped decorations.
Favorable Favors
Try these ideas for a memento that will remind guests of not only a great time but also an important day in your youngster’s life. Consider a pair of brightly colored, theme-supporting socks, a deck of cards, soccer balls or personalized baseball cap. For a twist on tradition, have your local imprinting shop create sports-jersey tees with the number 18—the numerical equivalent for “life” in Hebrew—along with your child’s name.
What to Give: Bar and Bat Mitzvah Gifts
Undoubtedly as the host and parent, you’ll be asked for gift ideas. A gift of money is always appreciated. In keeping with the event’s life-affirming message, cash or gift cards in multiples of 18 dollars are especially appropriate. To foster a deeper relationship with the child’s Jewish heritage, suggest giving a beautiful wood or silver tzedahak (charity box), books on Judaica, or a gift supporting the child’s mitzvah project.
Did you find a few inspiring bar and bat mitzvah party ideas to get you started? Share images from the festivities at the hashtag #CrateStyle.
