April 25th, 2010
Our readers love our Mitzvah Family Spotlights because it’s inspiring to see how other families celebrated their child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
This Mitzvah Inspire is no different. It comes to us from Jersey Street Furniture. They can transform your event space into something cool, classic and fun.
Their Website says to pick any color and they can transform a space. Below you will see photos from a recent Bat Mitzvah party. Clearly purple was the color of choice for this young lady! The party was held at the Wilshire Grand and it looked beautiful!
Jersey Street did a Purple Mania Mitzvah. There were shades of purple everywhere.
They custom-made a curved metal and lucite purple illuminated bar with a big M for the Bat Mitzvah girl
There was a lilac tufted bar with another huge M on it
The furniture was custom covered with shiny lilac mylar and custom M pillows
The coolest thing was a lucite wall with purple daisies floating inside
If you have pictures that are inspiring, please let us know at Sheri@MitzvahMarket.com. Thanks!
April 24th, 2010
By Jean Chatzky, www.JeanChatzky.com
I started planning my daughter’s Bat Mitzvah party – which went beautifully, despite a storm that downed trees, closed streets and took out the power – with a budget in mind. And like all good budgets, it had many line items. There was one for decorations. Another for food. Yet another for party favors. And another for entertainment.
Months passed as we planned, and we managed to stick fairly close to those numbers. When the thank-you notes from the stationer where we ordered invitations seemed too pricey, we found look-alike substitutes from a different company.
When it became clear that we were going to spend more than expected on a balloon arch for the entryway, we replaced the pricey lamb chops with an Asian station.
And then one day, a couple of weeks ago, I capitulated. On lighting. Washing the walls pink and turning the ceiling into a starry night was going to cost more than I planned on, but I became convinced that we needed to do it to make the party. And then it was as if the floodgates had been opened.
Read the rest of this feature on Jean’s blog here.
Now that Jean has successfully lived through a Bar Mitzvah celebration for her son, and a Bat Mitzvah celebration for her daughter, we asked her to share some Mom-to-Mom expert advice. Here’s what she would like to share with our Mitzvah Market readers:
“Casual is okay. Particularly by the end of the season, it’s nice for people not to have to dress to the nines and to be able to kick back a bit. We did a boardwalk-themed party in the backyard under a tent and used nice paper plates and colorful napkins rather than rentals. Much cheaper, and the food was so good no one even noticed.”
April 21st, 2010
One of our past experts, Pam Peckerman, who wrote about “Bag Business,” is hosting a silent auction on May 3, 2010 to honor her later father. The auction will benefit the Vasculitis Foundation.
You’ll have the chance to bid on fabulous items from Stuart Weitzman, Kooba, Coach, Swarovski, Rebecca Minkoff, Clara Kasavina, NFL and more, plus priceless experiences, beauty packages and more. Guests will enjoy wine, tequila and dessert.
More info is below:
WHAT: Ilya Peckerman Fund Silent Auction benefiting the Vasculitis Foundation
WHERE: The Gates, 290 8th Ave. btw 24th and 25th Street in NYC
WHEN: May 3rd, 2010 6pm – 9pm
RSVP: $36 a ticket (100% going to the foundation) Purchase tickets here.
If you can not make it to the event, but would like to make a donation, please click here.
April 18th, 2010
The Bar Bat Mitzvah candy bar/buffet has quickly become a staple at many celebrations. From elaborate themed displays to simple color palettes, these dessert stations don’t have to break the bank!
Following are Mitzvah Market’s top 5 tips for creating an awesome candy bar on a budget.
1. Set a Budget
It’s important to set a budget before you begin to shop; and don’t be afraid to stick to that budget. After all, it’s just candy! You’ll be surprised how much you can buy once you find the right retailer or wholesale distributor.
2. Choose a Color Palette
We recommend limiting your color palette to 2-4 colors or shades of a color. The limited color scheme will give you a more professional, sophisticated look – and make your shopping easier! Ombre color (one color in several shades) is an easy way to up the glam at your celebration. Black and white with an accent color is always a classic, and metallics are definitely on trend. Can’t decide? Rainbow adds a touch of whimsy to any celebration.
Pink ombre (Photo credit: BridalGuide.com)
Blue ombre (Photo credit: Pinterest.com)
Classic black and white... with a pop of red (Photo credit: OhNuts.com)
Metallic silver (Photo credit: Pinterest.com)
Rose gold (Photo credit: MarthaStewart.com)
Rainbow fun (Photo credit: Recentlytheblog.com)
3. Pick a Theme
Your color palette might be all you need… or you might choose to play off of the theme of your Bar Bat Mitzvah party. Need some inspiration? Check out social media boards to see what other Mitzvah families have created.
Basketball themed table (Photo credit: Pinterest.com)
All about Dance! (Photo credit: Pinterest.com)
Get your Game On! (Photo credit: Pinterest.com)
4. Choose a Few “Must-Have” Candies
If your child has an all-time favorite candy, you’ll want to price that out first. Next you can determine how much more to spend on additional items. Once you’ve selected your must-haves, an inexpensive way to fill out the rest of the bar is by purchasing generic-brand jelly beans, gummy’s or gum balls. Remember that some guests may have nut allergies, so you might want to avoid any candy covered nuts or chocolate bars with nuts.
5. Buy in Bulk
Don’t shop retail! You can purchase large quantities of candy online for a fraction of the retail cost. Plus: online wholesalers have much bigger selections. We recommend buying 1/4 lb. of candy for each guest. If you are expecting 150 guests, you’ll want to purchase approximately 37 total pounds of candy.
For more Bar Bat Mitzvah planning advice, check out Mitzvah Market’s 17 regional Facebook groups. Join here!
April 14th, 2010
One of the most popular questions we get from our readers is about event venues. Once you get your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah date, the first step is to book an event venue.
The Blitz Family celebrated their son Zachary’s Bar Mitzvah in November of 2009. They really liked the Mitzvah event venue that they selected and wanted to share this recommendation with Mitzvah Market.
“The Woodlands At The Greens is a great place to have your Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebration, especially if you are considering doing your service and party at the same location. The Clubhouse is beautiful and the caterers are very accommodating to all your needs.” The Blitz Family
From the look of their pictures, we can see that a good time was had by all!
The Blitz Family had both their son’s Bar Mitzvah service and party all in one location. Annette highly recomments Rabbi Jay Weinstein from Congregation Simchet HaLev who performed the service!
Zach “makes an entrance” to his party
Annette was also thrilled with Prince Carl as the MC from Entertainment Tonite
Instead of a traditional candle lighting ceremony, each young guest was given a glow stick and the adults were given a tapered candle
We would like to thank the Blitz Family for sharing their recommendation of The Woodlands At The Greens. If you are intereted in learning more about this Mitzvah venue, please call Samir at 631-271-4929.
To learn more about Rabbi Jay Weinstein, click here and to learn more about Entertainment Tonite, click here.
If you have a favorite Mitzvah Vendor and would like to make a Mom-to-Mom recommendation, please let us know by dropping us a note at Sheri@MitzvahMarket.com.
April 14th, 2010
We love finding great photographs from Bar/Bat Mitzvahs to give our readers inspiration for their child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration.
One of our favorite people to give us inspiration is Mindy Weiss, famous event planner and lifestyle expert. She is also the owner & principle planner/designer of Mindy Weiss Party Consultants. The company provides professional event planning services for any type and size of wedding, party, corporate event and Bar or Bat Mitzvahs.
Mindy is best known for her creative and unusual ideas, her unexpected decor accents and her exquisite attention to every last detail.
She recently wrote on her blog about the B’nai Mitzvah she decorated for twins who loved formula 1 racing. We thought these pictures were great and wanted to share these ideas with our readers. Take a look:
The table is set!
We love the seat cushions and napkin rings!
Mark from Mark Gardens provided the beautiful flowers
How clever, two tires and a piece of glass makes a table!
The lounge area…
Including racing flags!
Check out Mindy’s blog for more fabulous photos and much, much more.
April 14th, 2010
If your child is looking for an idea for their Mitzvah Project, they might want to consider participating in A Walk To Remember.
The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County’s A Walk To Remember, their annual event, will be taking place on Sunday, April 25, 2010 starting at 12:00pm at the Welwyn Preserve in Glen Cove, New York.
The event takes place rain or shine and is held in honor of the memory of the children killed in the Holocaust.
The memorable, educational walk takes place on the magnificent 247-acre Welywn Preserve, which is the home of the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County.
Proceeds from the walk will help support the Children’s Memorial Garden which is the only permanent tribute in the New York State dedicated to children who perished during the holocaust.
For more information visit their Website or call Silvana LaFerlita Gullo, Director of Development 516-571-8040 x:107
April 11th, 2010
By Leslie Adler, www.thevuvclub.com and Sydney Adler (her daughter and the upcoming Bat Mitzvah girl!)
Welcome back from Spring Break! I hope you had fun. I did, but I was “tannin’ not planning”….now I have to kick it in to gear. We have approximately 7 weeks until our “big day.”
In the meantime, I wondered aloud if only the Mom’s experience the “Trials and Tribulations” of planning a Bat Mitzvah and Sydney, my Bat Mitzvah girl said, “Give me that computer!” She then said (after asking me to define “tribulations”), “oh, yes, kids do too!”
So I give you Sydney’s thoughts in her words and voice:
Bat Mitzvah girl Sydney with her own “trials & tribulations!”
“My mom thinks all I care about is my party…but that’s not true. I care about my dress….and my shoes too. And yes, I have my Mom’s sense of humor.
Seriously, I really want to make everyone proud on the bema. I have been practicing my Hebrew a lot because I not only want to read it, I want to chant it. I am also starting to write my D’var Torah, an essay about what my Torah portion is about and what it means to me. I want to write it myself and I want it to be good so people understand what this means to me. I know I always complain about going to Hebrew School but that is because it is not the “most fun” thing I do. I see the Cantor Mondays, go to Hebrew School Tuesday and now also on Thursdays. I also work with the teacher who helps with the D’var Torah. That’s a lot! So I complain….that’s a tribulation, right?
Now, about my party….I want it to be great! I trust my parents and know we want the same things but I have opinions. By the way, most of us kids do and we know it’s not our money that makes the party but we still have some ideas. Sometimes when I share mine, this leads to “trials and tribulations.”
I recently went to see my party room for another chance to say how I would like to decorate it and to tell my Mom where I envision the kids to be set up. This experience is going pretty good so far, especially because my Mom and I get along and I know she wants me to be happy….and though she says she’s having these “trials and tribulations,” my Mom is making me feel like she is pretty happy too.
Next week she will tell you more about our time leading up to my Bat Mitzvah……
About Leslie Adler
Leslie Adler is a mother, lawyer and creator of www.thevuvclub.com and shares her witty thoughts on the many roles women play in their everyday lives. Leslie also combines her legal skills and friendship experience as presiding judge of Momlogic’s “The Friendship Court.”
We hope you will follow along as this Mitzvah Mom updates us on all the highs and lows leading up to her daughter’s May 2010 Bat Mitzvah. Everything from conflicts with other children’s dates to the dress, catering and other Vendor drama. Leslie will bring humor to this exciting yet stressful time for many families.
Read Part 1 here.
Read Part 2 here.
Read Part 3 here.
Read Part 4 here.
Read Part 5 here.
Read Part 6 here.
Read Part 7 here.
April 11th, 2010
From Calihan Catering, located in Chicago, this celebration took place at Cafe Brauer. Using hot pink and red, this pretty celebration featured and interesting dance floor, beautiful floral photos and a faux chandelier!
What a cool dance floor!
We love the chandelier!
Lots of pinks and reds
What cool tables and chairs!
Close up shot of the tables with lucite chairs!
Interesting how the large photos are above the tables
If you would like to reach Calihan Catering, call 312-587-3553.
April 9th, 2010
Beth Yudin of Premier Skirting & Andrew Zecher of W Events present the first COUTURE LINEN EVENT.
When: Thursday, April 15, 2010 7:00pm
Where: Woodbury Country Club, 884 Woodbury Road, Woodbury, NY 11797
Phone for RSVP: (516) 239-6581 or (516) 692-6300
This cocktail party will feature a runway show designed around Event Planning. Whether you are planning a Wedding, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, or social event, the Couture Linen Runway Show will give you insight of how linens can take your event from the ordinary to the extraordinary.
To learn more read our story, Putting It All On The Table: Setting The Mood.
