Many families have canceled or postponed their bar and bat mitzvahs already. Others may soon have to make that painful decision. Atlanta Mitzvah Connection is here to help with answers to simcha questions that are coming up frequently in these uncertain times.

The lights are dimmed, the kids are (mostly) quiet, and it’s time to roll the photo montage. What’s the soundtrack that sets the mood for your Mitzvah kid’s story?

Budget blues? Help is here! When planning your teen’s bar or bat mitzvah weekend, use these tips to save money.

Who do you tip? How much should you give? Mitzvah parents wonder about this. A lot. So we went straight to the vendors to ask for their expectations and guidelines when it comes to gratuities.

You’ve done tons of Bar Mitzvah vendor research (including attending the Bar/Bat Mitzvah EXPO!) but you haven’t gotten to the “Yes, you’re hired!” stage? Not sure if you’re done looking around? Ask yourself these 6 questions:

Choosing a theme for a bar or bat mitzvah celebration seems easy. After all, right now your teen is SO into soccer, or YouTube, or dance. But if you’re planning the simcha one to two years ahead of the date, be prepared that his or her passions, hobbies and interests may change dramatically during this time.

The milestone of becoming a bar/bat mitzvah can be even more meaningful when Tikkun olam (repair of the world) is part of the planning! Here are six eco-friendly approaches to consider for a green bar mitzvah:

Your Mitzvah kid will likely be involved in many aspects of planning his bar mitzvah celebration. But shouldn’t something be left to discover on his big day? We think so. Here are some ways to surprise your guest of honor:

Don’t miss the next EXPO, set for October 25, 2020 at Westin Atlanta Perimeter North. But here’s the scoop on what you missed this time around.

Everyone wants to know what you’re serving, so menus are a must. They can also add to your décor, tie in to your theme and make a BIG impact. Here are some of our current favorite menu treatments for inspiration:

Focus on your Mitzvah menus to make your simcha stand out! From the kids’ buffet to desserts, we’ve rounded up some unique and unconventional ways to feed your bar or bat mitzvah guests and customize your event.

Thank guests for celebrating with your Mitzvah kid by sending them home with clever, useful or delicious themed party favors. Here are some of our current faves:

We all know cash is king as a bar or bat mitzvah gift, but since so many give it, it can be a tad (yawn) boring. Bump up the excitement of gifting bucks with these creative ideas:

You have to order kippot well ahead of your Bar Mitzvah date, but may not know your RSVP count yet. Chances are you’re going to have leftovers. What do you do with yesterday’s yarmulkes, especially when they’re personalized?! We posed the question to our Facebook friends and got some fabulous ideas:

Maybe you’ve heard of your city’s Convention and Visitors Bureau, but you have no idea what it does. Get excited, because your CVB can help a LOT with your bar/bat mitzvah planning. For real. We spoke to Visit Sandy Springs and the Awesome Alpharetta CVB to get the details. Here’s why you should reach out:

Most Atlanta families are welcoming non-Jewish family members and, at the very least, school and/or work friends who don’t know about much the Bar or Bat Mitzvah service. They may have never set foot in a synagogue before! Here’s are some of the best tips we’ve heard for welcoming and including non-Jews into the experience.

Allie’s bat mitzvah at Congregation Gesher L’Torah was a true family affair. Not only did the bat mitzvah read Torah beautifully and deliver a meaningful message from the bimah, but family members added something special.

Lifelong friends Camille and Jayson have grown up at Temple Beth Tikvah, where their parents became close friends through a chavurah.

Bar and Bat Mitzvahs are happening! Although different, they can be meaningful and special, and include ALL the guests you want. Of course, many of them can’t be in the same room. So, we’ve put together a list of vendors below that offer services to help you connect with guests no matter where they are. Daniel Espeut of Espeute Productions also supplied helpful tips for choosing a video production resource.

While many families are postponing celebrations for now, there are many ways to make the day of religious services special for your teen and include family and friends in inventive ways. Here, some of Atlanta’s top mitzvah planners – Tammie Wilson of The Party Girl Events, Marci Miller of The Perfect Day and Amy Ackerman of JDV Occasions share tips and ideas:

You may be still deciding when your family will hold a bar mitzvah party, based on ever-changing health reports and governmental guidance. But there are still several things you can do right now so that you’re better prepared when it’s time to celebrate your teen’s big day.

Oy, are those shoes killing you? All the cool kids know you have to hit the dance floor without high heels! Here are some of our current faves for dance floor gear:

The invitation description is crystal clear (NOT!) What do you wear to this bar mitzvah?? Never fear! Here’s the lowdown on dressing down -and up – according to invitation wording.

Daytime or evening? While most families still opt for a nighttime soiree, many wonder about the merits of an afternoon Mitzvah celebration when planning the big weekend. There are several advantages to afternoon affairs, and things to consider, when picking your party time:

Use our “what to ask” guide below when checking out a new venue. Happy hunting!