A bar or bat mitzvah is a very important celebration Jewish families. The occasion is the start "adulthood" and an initiation as full-pledged members of their community. This event usually is accompanied by a wonderful party. But just like a wedding or birthday party, planning this affair can be stressful. But, with the guidelines below paired with a bat or bar mitzvah gift, your son or daughter will surely treasure this special moment forever.
Plan early
As much as possible, plan the party 6 months or even 1 to 3 years in advance. This will give you and your child ample time to prepare what is needed, like scriptures or Tosha study and deciding every party detail. Starting early ensures you that the event will be flawless when the day finally arrives.
Set the date
Decide what time and date the ceremony and party will be held. Check with your calendar and rabbi of your congregation to see if your planned date falls on a holiday or another religious affair. If so, you will have to set another time and date that is better. When you find a suitable date, book it!
Decide on the budget
All the party preparations including the caterer, number of guests, venue, and so on, relies on the budget. The first thing to do when deciding the party's budget is to count how many guests are invited. Everything else will follow. This essentially means that the more guests you're inviting, the more money you will have to have for food, party favors, decorations, etc.
Choose the venue
The temple, hotel, restaurant, garden, or at home are examples of very nice venues where the ceremony and party can be held. Just make sure that all your guests will be well-accommodated. You may also choose two venues, one for the ceremony and the other for the party.
Plan what food and beverages to serve
The food and beverages to be served at the party relies not only on the budget and number of guests attending, but also on the time of day the party will be held. Full-meals can be served when the party is scheduled during the lunch or dinner hours. Finger foods can be served during non-typical meal times and can be excellent food choices for younger kids. You can also add a juice, cocktail, or alcoholic beverages bar.
Decorate and apply themes
Decorations and themes make the venue inviting and lively for the guests. These two may not be necessary, but can be added to the party if the child wishes to. When applying themes, it is best that you consider your child's interests.
Entertain the guests
To keep guests from being bored, add music, parlor games, or other similar things. You can either hire a DJ or band for music plus some disco lights. Then certainly you're guests will be dancing in no time.
Give invitations and keepsakes
To keep it formal, you can send invitations to your guests. And also remember to give them a special token as a remembrance of the occasion.