Hotel Guest Gift Bags

I got so many compliments on these out-of-towner hotel guest gift bags!  I ended up with enough supplies to make sure that my local family members got one too.  The key was customizing the bags to our great state: Maryland!  I selected some local favorite foods, added in some tubes of gumballs to represent the Bar Mitzvah boy's chosen entertainment of paintball, and topped it off with a Maryland post card.  I wrapped some duct tape around bottled water to include a drink.

• Fisher's Popcorn (Caramel Popcorn)
• Old Bay Seasoning
• Utz Crab Chips
• Berger Cookies
• Maryland Postcards

DIY Mitzvah Crafting: Centerpieces, Place Cards, & More!

This time around we went for a non-traditional reception - barbecue, grilled food, paintball, s'mores, and even some deep fried Oreos!  More on that later, though since the most important part is obviously the part where our son becomes a Bar Mitzvah.  Chanting from the Torah is no easy task, especially not when you're only 13 years old, and performing in front of your family and friends!  Chanting from the Torah involves using the Hebrew text of the Torah with no vowels and no musical notations, and for our son, he made it look like no problem!

We figured if we was going to follow in his sister's footsteps, we could at least try actually making the tallit (ritual prayer scarf), as well as tying the tzitzit (ritual fringes found on the four corners of a tallit).  We used this video as instructions for tying the tzitzit: pinterest.com.  We thought it would be nice to find a unique way to use the principle of "Hiddur Mitzvah", or beautifying a ritual object, in connection with the themes of sports and paintball.  We used a basic tie dye kit in an unconventional way.  We placed the tallit in a plastic bin that is typically used for under-the-bed storage.  We put the bin on the ground below our deck, which is one story above ground level.  Then we turned our son loose with the squeeze bottles of dye, working from the lightest to the darkest, to create a paintball splatter look.

We also made a special "yad" (Hebrew word for hand, used to describe the pointer that is used to keep your place while chanting from the Torah).  This was very easy, using a kit from: yadayadayad.com.

In keeping with the paintball and sports theme, we made place cards using food-grade plastic tubing from papermart.com, and gumballs from gumballs.com, which look like paintball ammo.  The label had a sports ball of some kind, along with the guests' names, so that they would know which sports ball table to look for. The labels were purchased from worldlabel.com, and printed at home using free clip art found online.

I had more than enough gumballs after purchasing them from a bulk supplier to fill some $1 glass bottles for use on the tables.  I had always wanted to try the popular craft of chalkboard painting on various surfaces, so I also used some of the $1 glass bottles for that.  I glued wooden clothespins onto the caps of the gumball-filled bottles, and onto the necks of the chalkboard painted bottles to hold the sports ball cutouts I purchased from the teacher supply store.

E6000 glue, and clothespins for sign holders

I primed the chalkboard painted bottles by covering them with chalk and rinsing them off (after plenty of time for the paint to cure). The easiest way to prime them was actually to use the chalk on the eraser, and then rub the eraser onto the bottle.

I wrapped twine around the chalkboard painted bottles just to cover the threads of the bottle, and to tie chalk onto, to make it easy for guests to help decorate and leave messages!

I also happened to have some $1 wooden picture frames that I spray painted purple.  I then used what was left of my chalkboard spray paint to paint the glass of the picture frame.  These were great to have for labelling things at the party, and for guests to leave messages on.

Chalkboard vinyl removable labels were great for the gumball filled bottles too.

The silver glass vases were spray painted with a hammered metallic spray paint in case I needed more containers.

More to come soon on this special and fun day!!!

Candy Theme Ideas

It's a popular theme, but can be done in so many different ways... Here are some great ideas for candy theme decorations...


The first idea comes from none other than a Christmas, Easter, and Halloween decorations website & store (thank you to the creative folks at: www.trendytree.com)



The very same website and blog entry brings this beautiful idea along with instructions:

Lighted Box idea from TrendyTree.com

Imagine this gorgeous lighted box wrapped in colors that coordinate to your party! I'm already wondering how I could adapt this idea to be a box that people could drop their envelopes into on the gift table... Instructions for making this can be found at: www.trendytree.com

Lastly, I have another link to a Christmas themed craft with detailed instructions that could easily be adapted to a candy themed Bar or Bat Mitzvah:

From DillPicklePicnic.com

This project also looks easy, and extremely affordable! Instead of candies that look like mints, you could use different colors of paints and different colors of cellophane to coordinate to the colors of your Bar or Bat Mitvah! 

BLACK is IN

I just can't say enough good things about BLACK tablecloths. They make the whole room so much more upscale looking. They also really help make your centerpieces stand out a lot more. When this was suggested to me, I thought for sure it would make the room look so much smaller and darker. I was SO wrong! I'm glad I took the great advice. I've seen lots of mitzvah parties that used black tablecloths and they all look great! It works for any theme or color scheme. The party pictured here was a double mitzvah for a stepbrother and stepsister pair. The theme was perfect: The Best of Both Worlds. I'm sure planning parties for pairs presents lots of challenges, and this theme could be adapted to any pair of kids celebrating thei B'nai Mitzvot together. Each table was labelled with one of the kids' interests. Notice also how added up lighting enhanced the decor.
Ask your caterer if they provide black table coverings. You will be thrilled with the look!

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Planning, From The Start

In honor of all my friends who are now getting "on their mark" with the Bar/Bat Mitzvah planning, I thought I'd back track to "the starting line." The best place to start is by double checking that the date you were given by the synagogue matches the Torah portion that may have also been noted in the official letter. Mistakes happen. I have a friend that introduced her child to the Torah portion in all of the ways I suggested, only to realize that the wrong Torah portion was written in the letter for the correct date of the Mitzvah.

Take your date and plug it in here: www.hebcal.com/converter - clicking on the button that says "Convert Gregorian to Hebrew Date." Then it will show you the Hebrew date of your Mitzvah as well as the name of the parsha (section or story) from the Torah that will be read on that date.

Next, surf over to the G-dcast Channel on YouTube here: www.youtube.com/g-dcast - in the upper right part of the page you will see a search box for the G-dcast Channel videos. Search using the name of the Torah parsha that you just confirmed at hebcal.com. Check out the short animated video that you find about your specific Torah parsha and share it with your Bar/Bat Mitzvah child!

Those are the top two tips I have for those of you just starting out! Thanks for stopping by!

Questions you'll need to consider...

Questions...
Most synagogues will provide you with basic information on requirements and honors. Some logistical information might not be covered...
1. Usually all males are required or requested to wear a kippah. Are they required to wear a tallit?
2. If they have an honor such as opening or closing The Ark, saying a blessing (aliyah) before/after a Torah reading, carrying/dressing The Torah, or other honor, are they required to wear a tallit along with a kippah?
3. What honors are non-Jews welcomed to have?
4. Will there be a scheduled time for rehearsal?
5. Will there be a scheduled time for portraits? Are photos or video allowed during the service?
6. If Grandparents are invited to stand or otherwise participate in saying the Shehecheyanu prayer, does this include non-Jewish Grandparents?
7. Is there a requirement to purchase flowers or sponsor a kiddush/oneg?
...
I guess I'll add to the list as we go! Please feel free to leave your own questions as a comment below and I will add them to the list. Thank you!

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Organization

Guest list
Hebrew names: child, parents, grandparents & anyone else that may be called up to the Torah for an aliyah
Entertainment contracts
Hotel room block agreement
Kippot contract, contact, receipt info
Venue contract
Venue floor plan
Menu options
Seating charts
Oneg/Kiddush hosting form, if required by synagogue
Kibbudim/Honors/Aliyot request form, if required by synagogue
Synagogue monthly newsletter to use as a guide for when you write the announcement for your child's Mitzvah
Synagogue weekly program, which might also help as a guide for your planning
Contact & pricing info for any entertainment and/or service you might be considering... photographer, videographer, screen printer, airbrush artist, decorator, calligrapher...
Invitation vendors, samples, contracts, proofs, ideas... menu cards, place cards, table numbers, custom program...
Friday night Shabbat Dinner ideas
Sunday Brunch ideas
...maybe more to come....
Your additions to the list are welcome!

First things first...

Get a 3-ring binder and page protectors. Start saving all of your contracts, notes, ideas, brochures, business cards, quotes, sample menus, questions, and potential guest lists... Make sure you have the correct Hebrew spellings for your child's name, mother's & father's names, and grandparents too (if child's mother & father are called up for an aliyah). Anyone else who may be called up to the Torah for an aliyah will also need to know their Hebrew name (and their parents' Hebrew names.) Save invitations that you and/or your child receive, for reference. Save a copy of your synagogue's bulletin/newsletter so you will be able to easily write the announcement for your own child. Save a program from a Bar or Bat Mitzvah at your synagogue to become familiar with the variety of aliyot (honors) that might be available for you to assign to your family members and/or friends.Keep a copy of your child's Torah reading or other important information.

Ideas for the DIY crafter in you :)

place cards: lollipops, labels, styrofoam block covered with fabric using spray adhesive

custom cake from www.flourpowerdesserts.com with candle lighting centerpiece made from glass votives, vellum printed using inkjet printer, and Mickey Mouse paper punches using aluminum foil instead of paper... 

table set up - fabric wrapped glass floral cylinders (using Xyron permanent adhesive), vellum printed using inkjet printer and wrapped around glass votive, submersible LED lights, and custom chocolates - all on a black tablecloth - huge fan of the black - I was afraid it would look dark, but it was so incredibly elegant looking!

another view of the table and lights, with Mickey Mouse shaped cookies made by a friend

kids tables set up - also against a black tablecloth - perfect!

I was so pleased with how the alcove was transformed into the perfect kids area!

another view of the candle lighting centerpiece I made using glass votives

vellum wrapped votives as table markers and fabric wrapped vases for LED lights

newsletter format information for guests

Seating - ugh.

(Click on the images for a larger version to view and print.)
My gift to you: a blank seating chart. Now if only filling it in were so easy...

... and since many places offer a U-shaped set-up for kids' tables:

Party Time Schedule

I think it's just nervousness, but I'm suddenly overwhelmed with the logistics of the actual party itself... Introductions, Candle Lighting, Blessings, Speeches, Cocktail Hour - and more of the "when does THAT happen during the party"??? I'm anxiously awaiting feedback from friends, and you! The www.facebook.com/BarBatMitzvahPlans page has been super helpful, and full of other parents and professionals that are eager to help with questions! I have also found two snippets from websites with interesting 'day of the event' information:
Sample Schedule 1
Sample Schedule 2
Please feel free to comment with your thoughts, suggestions, and ideas, and join us on Facebook too!
Thank you!

The traditional Candlelighting

I've never actually seen one of these ceremonies in person; I guess it's not something that was popular where I'm from. My husband had one, and everyone else I know here has had their own and seen plenty others. So I've asked lots of questions and done lots of searching so that I can help my daughter come up with something short enough and interesting enough... We'll see if I'm successful. In the mean time, here are a few links to some ideas you might find helpful:
http://www.adlerentertainment.com
http://www.barmitzvah101.com/BarMitzvah-393

Torah Blessings for an Aliyah

I'm sharing this short video I made to help my family (and maybe yours too) as they prepare to receive the honor of an Aliyah, the blessings before and after a Torah reading during a Shabbat (Sabbath) service. My family will be doing this during our daughter's Bat Mitzvah, for which we are so grateful! I hope you enjoy the video and find it helpful for your own simcha (special celebration). Feel free to comment, rate, or 'like' it!

whoa!

I'm on a fast spinning merry-go-round and I've got to hop off!

It's been a whirlwind frenzy of Bat Mitzvah planning activity...
-ordered invitations (from www.zazzle.com, but also liked several choices on www.tinyprints.com)
-firmed up a few things with the DJ contractor (www.washingtontalent.com)
-hired a photographer (www.goodvibrations.org), but still considering something creative and interesting for rehearsal and portraits - ideas welcome as always!
-booked rooms (at the www.HiltonGardenInn.com)
-designed a logo for the sweatshirts & sent it off to the screen printer (www.planetcotton.com)
-started to contact some possible airbrush artists
-got approval from the world's best calligrapher to do the envelopes at no cost - THANKS MOM!
-updated the Shutterfly Bat Mitzvah website collaboration: www.mitzvahmagic.shutterfly.com

There is still a LOT to do, including ME practicing for my Torah reading. Now why did I agree to do THAT?!?!

Lots more fun stuff to talk about soon. I hope.

Literally or figuratively?!

So I took a little gander at the English translation of the Torah portion our daughter was assigned to learn and sing in front of the congregation (in Hebrew) to become a Bat Mitzvah.  *GASP*  How are we going to simply gloss over the literal meaning of some of these completely inappropriate and outdated concepts?!  For example, kidnapping, rape, justifiable murder by pelting with stones, marrying your dead husband's brother to insure the family name is carried on, stoning your own son to death because he is rebellious & disobedient, and cutting off the hand of the woman who grabs a man's private parts to break up a fight between her husband and his brother.  Oh sure, there are some great messages in this particular section of the Bible.  One exceptionally timeless message is that "finder's" is not "keeper's"; you should always try to return something you've found that does not belong to you.  After all, I am by no means an expert in religion or the Torah.  This section of the Bible contains 74 of the 613 laws or "mitzvot" G-d commanded to us.  I certainly do not understand them all, or what they should mean to me and my family.  However, I do know that our daughter is expected to learn to sing the Hebrew text of these 74 laws dictated in this portion of the Old Testament as it is written in the Torah.  I have conflicted feelings about burdening her with some of the inappropriate information it contains.  Does that make me a hypocrite?  I don't know.  I do know that there is a lot to be learned from the positive messages that this parsha contains though, so I suppose we'll try to put our focus on that.  I wonder how other parents have handled some of the age inappropriate texts their children have been challenged with.  This past Shabbat a set of twins tackled parashat Vayishlach for their Bar and Bat Mitzvot, which contains a powerful story of rape and revenge; I appreciated that our Rabbi said straight up that it is difficult, challenging, and sad to have to revisit such a tragic story year in and year out, but that we do it and hopefully learn from it.  Please feel free to comment here and share your experiences so that our family and others can learn too.
Here's a summary of the story:
http://bit.ly/6R3JYS 
and here's a detailed translation:
http://bit.ly/5zCpjY

WHERE do I sign up?!

Seriously!  I can't fathom skipping out on celebrating yet another life cycle celebration at our shul of four generations...  but yes, this would be quite an affair to remember!

http://www.chabad.org/news/article_cdo/aid/1027698/jewish/Caribbean-Bar-Mitzvah-a-Hit.htm 

Also, after visiting the oldest synagogue in continual use in the entire United States...  having a mitzvah to remember there would be pretty darn incredible too!

http://www.onepaper.com/synagogue/

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!