Security

After a wonderful visit to the Virginia Beach area, I momentarily thought it just might be the most fun party ever if we could have it right there at Great Wolf Lodge!  However, it seems pretty unlikely that we would somehow be able to manage getting even a small bunch of 12 & 13 year olds without their parents across state lines to a very large hotel with a built in water park.  So I was then wondering how to manage any number of kids that age in a public restaurant or hotel where trouble might find them...  Should I be worried about this?

We're already having fun!

Centerpieces, linens, and place cards - oh my!  We're actually having fun talking about all kinds of ways to add nice touches for not much money, crafting our own centerpieces, and creating unique place cards too!  We are throwing around ideas for changing the candle lighting into something that everyone can participate in, possibly.  We're looking forward to hearing more about what you are planning for your celebration, or what you've seen recently...

But wait? There's more?!

Is the (not so large) budget supposed to include a Friday night Shabbat dinner for family, friends, and/or out-of-town guests?  What about brunch on Sunday? Did you do that too?

Favorites

So tell us...  of the Bar/Bat Mitzvot you've attended, what made the great ones fun & memorable, and what made the not-so-great ones, well, not-so-great?  What did you think was fun, tasty, classy, or creative?  How was it themed, decorated, and tied together?  What kept the adults entertained?  What kept the kids entertained?  Were the favors just for kids?  Were the favors cute, practical, useful, cheap, or wasteful?

Did you plan a Bar/Bat Mitzvah for your child and have a DJ, band, caterer, or idea that you'd like to pass on?  Or do you have one you'd recommend against using?  Please feel free to share your thoughts, ideas, referrals, and all that...  Thanks!

Candle Lighting

I realize that this candle lighting business is pretty standard around these parts, but it certainly wasn't the norm where I come from... I understand it as some kind of tribute or thanks to the special people in the Bar/Bat Mitzvah kid's life. Is that it? Is it something that the B/BM looks forward to? What about those called up to light the candles? What about all of the other guests who aren't called up? Is it something that some people choose to eliminate from the festivities? I suppose we could go either way with this; it would be fun to create some kind of personalized keepsake decoration for the candle lighting. It certainly has a lot of potential for humor too, but I wonder if it's something that people in general don't look forward to because it's too lengthy, too boring, and/or too exclusive.