Atlanta Mitzvah Connection highlights trends in entertainment, décor, catering, photography, and more. Check back often for fresh ideas, guides and advice!
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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?
The relatives have gone home, the leftovers are in the fridge and your Mitzvah kid is happily Instagramming about the big mitzvah weekend. If you’re like many parents, you’ll be feeling the post-simcha let down. Not to worry! There are still more things for you to do related to the bar mitzvah, believe it or not!
Your Bar 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:
It’s really fun to receive gifts, but not so fun to write thank you notes. Jump start the process with these mini-guides that’ll help every Bar/Bat Mitzvah kid write a thank you for each type of guest and gift. Remember, adding a personal line here and there make recipients feel special.
If you're worried about what you might be forgetting in your bar mitzvah plans, we've got your covered. Here are the top things b'mitzvah parents said they wish they knew before the big weekend.
It’s your b'Mitzvah kid’s big day and everyone important to your family is going to be together… in the same room…. wanting to talk to the guest of honor. How can you help your child navigate the tricky choreography of being center of attention at a major life cycle event? Paula Sobb, President and Founder of Peachtree Etiquette, provides a crash course on Mitzvah manners for your Bar or Bat Mitzvah kid:
During Bar and Bat Mitzvah Season, your child – and you- will likely be invited to several celebrations. If you’re in planning mode, attending other people’s parties is a great way to find out what you might want for your family’s simcha.
Centerpieces? Check. Dance floor lighting? Got it. But have you thought beyond the traditional spots for décor to make the most of your venue? Delight and surprise guests while carrying your cohesive theme throughout the party. It’s time to go beyond the usual!
If you’re ready to move beyond your backyard for Mitzvah portraits, the AMC community of pro photographers and veteran Mitzvah moms and dads have some fantastic off-the-beaten-path ideas for session settings. We’ve added a few of our own secret faves, as well.
Budget blues? Help is here! When planning your teen’s bar or bat mitzvah weekend, use these tips to save money.
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:
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.
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:
Bar Mitzvah logos can be a major element of celebration décor, from floor to ceiling.
Perhaps no other décor element makes as big of an impact as your celebration centerpieces. After all, every table has one, and everyone spends time sitting around it. Here are some of our current picks for creative centerpieces:
If your Mitzvah kid’s favorite place on earth is camp, take the party there, or bring that camp feeling to your chosen venue with these campy celebration ideas.
Because most guests gift money, your Mitzvah kid will receive a LOT of envelopes! Give friends and family somewhere pretty to place them and accent your party décor at the same time. Check out these Bar/Bat Mitzvah gift box designs for ideas:
Do something amazing with your seating chart! Help guests find their places with clever placecard possibilities:
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.
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:
Creative single servings lessen contact and keep it neat! Check out these ideas for presenting savory and sweet celebration nibbles.
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:
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:
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:
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.
Divorce. Estrangement. Death. Real life issues can cast a long shadow on a joyful occasion. Don’t let them. We asked Jill Leitman, LCSW of Johns Creek Counseling & Coaching Services for tips to dealing with challenging family circumstances when preparing for a child to become a Bar/Bat Mitzvah.
Your relatives are coming! Receive them with a healthy helping of Southern charm.
A Simple Guide to Your Bar/Bat Mitzvah Guest List... Creating your child’s bar/bat mitzvah guest list is a challenge. Here’s a simple guide to determining who gets an invitation:
No, Taylor Swift isn’t going to attend your child’s bar or bat Mitzvah. But if you invite some favorite celebrities, you might get congratulatory responses that will become meaningful mementos!
Y’all know I’m a Mitzvah mom, too, right?? Years of planning large-scale events, including the Bar & Bat Mitzvah EXPO, gave me plenty of experience in timelines, details and choosing great vendors.
Your teen may want to be involved in several aspects of her bat mitzvah celebration plans, but you don’t need him or her for everything.
Trends for b'Mitzahs in 2023 are showing up on social media... and we love what we're seeing.
"So much to do! Where do I go from here?" -- Look no further.
All times are estimates! Sample party time below: 7:00 -11:00 pm Use this sample timeline when you meet with your DJ and your Caterer to get everyone on the same page.
You’re brimming with ideas for your Bar Mitzvah DJ about how your party should unfold. But why hasn’t he called back? You want to check this off your list NOW!
As your family’s simcha nears, friends may ask how planning is going and whether you need any help. Get ready to say a word we don’t often say when offered assistance: Yes. Yes! YES!
A seated black tie affair? A casual sports-themed bash? 20 or 200 kids? Parents and kids can be THIS———— FAR————- APART on agreement about the ideal Bar Mitzvah celebration. A meeting of the minds starts here:
Planning your family’s Mitzvah celebration is exciting! But it also can be stressful to worry about many “unknowns.” I’ve found that many parents have the same concerns. Here are the most asked questions I hear, along with my answers. Let’s get this planning started!!
If you’ve gotten your teen’s bar or bat mitzvah date, you may think it’s so far off that you don’t need to do anything yet. Think again! It’s time to get your mitzvah planning on track. Here’s what to do now and later.
One of the top questions I’m asked by Mitzvah parents is, “Do I really need a planner?” We’ve asked expert bar and bat mitzvah planners at the top of their game what they do, how they do it, and what to look for in a planner relationship.
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.
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:
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!
