Bar or Bat Mitzvah

Before you know it, your child is turning 11 or 12 and you being to think about planning their bar or bat mitzvah celebration.  A Bar of Bat Mitzvah is a right of passage, a life-cycle event that will create lasting memories for the child, friends and family.  It truly is a significant day, as he/she will now accept the religious responsibilities and can perform important duties of Jewish life.

For the child, the bar/bat mitzvah is the culmination of their Jewish schooling and they are then viewed as an adult in the Jewish faith.  For the parents, it's typically a time of pride and joy, but for many, it can also a stressful time of planning.  Depending on family's budget and style, there are many types of celebrations for this occasion from a very simple brunch with extended family and friends to a full blown out wonderful fairy-tale evening filled with music, dancing and speeches.  

The ceremony honors the child's accomplishments and gives loved ones a time to show their pride and joy for the child.  The celebration give everyone a chance to celebrate.  One of the first steps in planning a celebration is to determine when and where the occasion will take place.  It's a good idea to secure the venue and, in addition, book the entertainment such as a band or a DJ and also a photographer.  You can send a Save the Date announcement six months ahead of time so your friends and family remember to save the date for your special event.  

Approximately 4-6 months prior to the event, you will want to order your Bar/Bat Mitzvah Invitations. Our partner printer, e-invite.com, offers a selection of high quality affordable invitations in a style you will love.  Talk to your child to see what colors they like if you wish, as there are many styles and themes available, from contemporary to traditional for both girls and boys.  You may want to order other elements of the invitation ensemble to match like a reception card which states where the party will be held.  Most invitations are sent with a formal response set which is a printed card the guest fills out and returns in a pre-printed envelope to let you know if they will attend.  You may also want to order a matching informal (stationery set) for the child to use after the event for his or her thank you notes. Or, select a coordinating thank you card at TheStationeryStudio.com from many  styles and colors.  One other often-ordered invitation element to consider is a bus card if you are providing transportation for the children from the temple to the party.

Once the invitations are ordered, you will want to determine how you are addressing the envelopes.  You might use a computer calligraphy service but bear in mind that sometimes envelopes are too thick for a printer and somtimes the ink color you select cannot be matched electronically.  So, often a hand-calligrapher is used, who can mix ink colors and use a sophisticated hand to address the envelopes. If your invitation font is a script, you will want the envelopes to be set in a script font.  If you have a selected a modern block style for your invitation font then the envelopes should coordinate as well, using a clean block lettering.

When thinking about the final touches for your celebration, consider adding in personalized party supplies such as small favor boxes filled with candies placed at each guest's table setting, personalized place cards, custom printed plastic plates for appetizers and of course personalized napkins.  Beverage napkins for the reception and for a dessert table are fabulous and having personalized guest towels in the washrooms are an elegant extra.  Napkins and guest towels set the tone for the celebration through style, design and color. 

From The Stationery Studio to you, mazel tov on your upcoming celebration.  This should be a time of joy and pride and the simcha (party) will be a fabulous way to mark the special day.

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