Planning a Mitzvah with the Help of Social Media

When planning a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, social media is an invaluable tool. Social media is an excellent place for parents to look for advice, find vendors or seek inspiration for their child’s special day. There are many resources out there, so where do you start?

Facebook Groups are one of the best places to get advice or find vendors for your child’s celebration. Be warned that not all Mitzvah Facebook groups are created equally. Some groups only allow vendors, some only allow parents and some allow a mixture of both. Groups that allow both vendors and parents are best, but be careful, because some groups that allow vendors are all advertisements.

Facebook Groups are usually organized by specific geographic areas. However, there is no reason that you shouldn’t join groups in different areas since they will still provide inspiration. Because Mitzvah Planning is similar in most areas, advice from parents and vendors in California would be helpful to parents in New York. Some groups are strict about who is allowed to join, so if you are not accepted, there are lots of other groups. In addition, some groups require you to answer a questionnaire about your intentions or require a sponsor for you to join.

Mitzvah List has compiled a list of the best Facebook groups around. While this is by no means a complete list, these are some of our favorites:

South Florida Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah Planning Group: By far the largest Bar and Bat Mitzvah Facebook group around with almost 6,000 members! This group was started by David Ockman a/k/a Dr. Mitzvah when planning his son’s Bar Mitzvah. It is now a very active group with tons of parents and vendors involved. The only rule in this group is that you must mention Bar or Bat Mitzvahs in your post and it needs to be Mitzvah related.

Long Island Bar and Bat Mitzvah Planning: With close to 2,000 members, this is a great place to find inspiration, vendors and ask Mitzvah parents planning questions. Started by Randi Lehman, this group has the perfect mix of vendors and parents.

Metro Detroit / Parents of Bar / Bat Mitzvah: The Metro Detroit group has close to 500 members. This is a great place to find ideas, vendors and ask questions. This group was originally started by Michael Weinstein, but is now run by Carrie Krauthamer and Becca Schlussel, two Mitzvah moms and vendors with years of experience and lots of helpful advice.

Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook, Glenview & Chicago Bar & Bat Mitzvahs: This new group is a place for parents to ask questions, find vendors and get advice. Although it was created for Chicago Mitzvah Parents, feel free to join this group, ask questions and add to the fun.

Charlotte Bar and Bat Mitzvah Networking Group: This newer group has close to 350 members and is a great source of information. Started by Stephanie Feldman, Mitzvah Mom and vendor, this group is a great place to find unique ideas and advice.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah Resources Toronto/Thornhill: The Toronto group has close to 700 members and is a great place for members to share, recommend and give advice. Moderated by Sharon Zadik, vendors and parents are willing to answer all of your mitzvah planning questions.

Top Tips for Bar Mitzvah & Bat Mitzvah Mums and Dads: With over 4500 members and based in the UK, this is a great place to get information on planning a Barmie (what they call Bar and Bat Mitzvahs in the UK). Moderated by Carolyne Klein and Joanna Rosenberg, parents and vendors provide lots of advice and ideas.

Los Angeles Bar & Bat Mitzvah Resources, DIY and Recommendations: The Los Angeles group has over 400 members and is a place to get information on vendors and DIY Projects. Moderated by Claudine Pelc, this group welcomes members from other parts of the country and asks for reviews on vendors they have used online. Their only rule is to be kind to the members.

Atlanta Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah Planning Group: The Atlanta Group has close to 350 members and is a great resource. This group was started by Stacie Francombe when she was planning her first of three mitzvahs and found it hard to find great ideas and local vendors. This is a great place for parents and vendors to network, share ideas and inspiration.

B’nai Mitzvahs on a Budget: This group has over 200 members and was created as a place to share themes, colors and money saving tips. Moderated by Lisa Huriash and Catherine Catino, this is a great resource for Mitzvah Parents on a budget.

In addition to Facebook groups, Facebook is a great place to find vendors. If you like a vendor, like their page to see other events that they have done. Look at their pictures to get ideas and inspiration. Vendors are usually quick to respond to questions asked on Facebook.

Make sure that you like Mitzvah List on Facebook for lots of planning ideas, tips, advice and articles.  Mitzvah List is a great resource for finding vendors too.

 

Another great place to find ideas for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs is Instagram. If you search the tag #barmitzvah you will find close to 200,000 posts! Similarly, #batmitzvah has over 150,000 posts! Vendors, parents and guests from all over the world have contributed to these hashtags. There are tons of vendors on Instagram too, so if you have a favorite, make sure that you follow their pages.

Pinterest is also an amazing resource and a great place to find and save ideas. If you type in Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah, you could spend days looking at all the ideas. If you are looking for something more specific, type in something specific like Bar Mitzvah Invitations or Bat Mitzvah Décor. Follow boards with ideas you like or save the ideas to your own boards. If you don’t want anyone to know what you are planning, make the boards private so no one but you can see.

Getting advice and ideas from parents who have gone through the process and seasoned vendors is easy (and free) with the help of social media. If you decide to join one of the Facebook groups, ask questions or if you have done it before, share advice with parents who are new to Mitzvah Planning. Don’t forget, it’s a Mitzvah to share your ideas and help others who are in the planning process.

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Vendor Directory Mitzvah List’s Vendor Directory is growing!  Click here to see all of our great vendors! Check out our new vendors: Everyone loves cupcakes, especially Yummy Cupcakes! If you are looking for a delicious dessert idea that is fun and unique, Yummy Cupcakes and all of their amazing Cupcake flavors are the perfect dessert for your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah. They also offer numerous Cupcake Specialty Treats, such as Cupcake Push Pops, Frosting Shots, Cupcake Truffles and Truffle Pops, to name a few, which also make a wonderful addition to your dessert table and are the perfect exit treat. The Garden Theater in Midtown Detroit is a live music and entertainment center that is the perfect spot for your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Their fully renovated theater room, restaurant and private event space was originally designed by C. Howard Crane (known for the Fox Theatre) in 1912. If you know of a fabulous vendor, let us know.  We are always looking to feature new and exciting Mitzvah Vendors.  We have expanded our vendor directory and now feature vendors in Michigan, South Florida, DC/Maryland/Virginia and Chicago.

How to Save on Your Mitzvah Décor Budget

Decor is the way you personalize your event and make it special and unique for your child. Décor can be simple, with the basics that come with your party room, over the top elaborate or something in between. Décor includes things like linens, chairs, centerpieces, flowers, large blown up pictures and anything else you can imagine to personalize and decorate your venue. Since décor can be one of your top budget items, at Mitzvah List we were wondering how to get the most out of your décor budget. We spoke to Jenna Urbauer of Mandell Display Design to get advice on ways to save on your décor budget.

For nearly 30 years, Mandell Display Design has set the industry standard for design & decor. Their mission remains the same: To continue to grow creatively while staying on the forefront of design and innovation. Mandell’s objective is to create custom looks for each event. Their commitment is to offer you the best, handmade, highest quality product available, as well as a truly one of a kind experience. Jenna and her team at Mandell Display Design ensures that your vision and personality is represented at the most important events of your life. Mandell continues to make this world a more beautiful place.

 

Jenna told us about the ways to get the most bang for your décor buck:

Photo Credit:  Abby Rose

1.  Create a focal point. Mandell Display is known for creating spectacular focal points at Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. Jenna loves to use the dance floor as a focal point since this is where you want your guests to congregate and often the first thing you see when you walk in the room. Jenna creates amazing over the dance floor ceiling treatments which can include drapery, ribbons, crystals or anything else to create a wow factor. She also focus on spectacular signage or décor that is placed behind the dance floor for increased visual interest.

Photo Credit:  Abby Rose

2.  Spend your budget where your guests will spend most of their time.  Decor on place card tables, food stations or other areas that people don’t congregate for long periods should be simple and cost effective. Use the majority of your décor budget on areas that guests will enjoy and notice.

3.  Double duty décor is the most cost effective. Try choosing décor that can be used in more than one place. If you have an amazing piece that will be displayed during cocktail hour, have it moved to the party room and use it on the sweet table. Also use functional décor items such as pillows, napkin holders and the like.  These items can add to your overall décor and also have a purpose at your event.

Photo Credit:  Abby Rose

4.  Choose several centerpiece options. Having different centerpieces creates visual interest and can help cut down on cost. Creating centerpieces that are different heights adds to the overall décor. Jenna suggests having some tables with elaborate centerpieces while others have a simpler option. If you are looking to save, don’t use flowers on every centerpiece.

5.  Don’t spend a lot on kid’s table décor. On average kids sit down to eat for 6 ½ minutes. In that 6 ½ minutes kids are known for destroying or taking apart the table décor. Jenna suggests having simple generic décor for these tables that are less customized.  Make sure you have some sort of décor on these tables.

 

6.  Use candles. Candles are inexpensive and a great way to add to the overall décor. Candles make the room look classier, warmer and add light. Candles come in endless options, and are great paired in groups that are different heights.

 Photo credit:  Abby Rose

For more information about Jenna and Mandell Display Group, check out their listing on Mitzvah List.

Don’t forget to take advantage of the summer months to plan your child’s Mitzvah. Many kids are away at camp, and since summer is often slower for coveted Mitzvah Vendors, this is one of the best times to meet.

Mitzvah Skits

Has your child ever wanted to feel famous? To star in his or her own movie? If you want a real wow moment during your child’s bar or bat mitzvah party, consider having a Mitzvah Skit as part of your video montage. Mitzvah Skits are a great way to enhance and personalizes those 8-10 minutes where everyone’s quiet and all eyes are on the screen. It’s also a wonderful keepsake that you’ll have forever.

Mitzvah List asked Marissa and Alex Murphy, the married couple behind Oy Video, to tell us about Mitzvah Skits and how they enhance a party. Marissa and Alex have been making skits and films together for over 10 years, earning a devoted following on social media for their irreverent style of humor. In 2013, they created Oy Video, which specializes in producing and creating dynamic photo montages, videography for events, documentaries of events, entrance videos, video art, video evites, music videos, hilarious Mitzvah Skits staring your family and friends, and an infinite number of audio visual possibilities. Let Oy Video create a wow moment for your event.

A Mitzvah Skit is typically between one to three minutes and can take place at the start of a montage, at the end, or scenes can break up segments in a photo montage. Skits can be humorous, serious, a parody, in the style of a reality show, a music video; if you can dream it, Oy Video can do it. Each skit is unique, tailored to your child’s personality.

Producing a skit is a great way to involve family and friends, including those who live around the world.  Marissa said, “We’ve had many times when a friend or relative who lives out of state films a quick scene via Skype or FaceTime, or they film themselves with their phones and send the footage to us to edit into the skit.”

“Our clients end up as friends,” said Marissa. “Every family has told us they have so much fun filming the skits.” Part of what makes these skits so much fun is that Marissa and Alex rely on a lot of improvisation and spontaneity throughout the creative process. They keep the mood light and fun during filming. You and your family will cherish the memories of making it. Everyone has a blast!

Here are examples of the amazing skits created by Oy Video:

 

 

For more information about Mitzvah Skits and Oy Video, click here to view their listing in the Mitzvah List vendor directory.

Vendor Directory Mitzvah List’s Vendor Directory is growing!  Click here to see all of our great vendors! Check out our new vendors: Are you looking for amazing lashes for your upcoming Mitzvah? Blink2Dina’s keratin lash lift turns your natural lashes upwards and gives them length, height and volume. This incredible treatment lasts 8-12 weeks and no false lashes are used. C.A.Y.A. Smokehouse Grill is a casual smokehouse bistro with mouthwatering menu items that are sure to complement your celebration.  Located in the former Nifty Normans building, C.A.Y.A. Smokehouse Grill’s one-of-a-kind atmosphere is like no other. C.A.Y.A. is the perfect spot for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, Friday Night Dinner, Brunch or all of the above. If you know of a fabulous vendor, let us know.  We are always looking to feature new and exciting Mitzvah Vendors.  We have expanded our vendor directory and now feature vendors in Michigan, South Florida, DC/Maryland/Virginia and Chicago.

Mitzvah Entrance Videos

One of the most exciting and energetic parts of a Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration is when the MC calls your child into the party room. All eyes are on your child as the music is pumping, the guests are standing and everyone is excited to get the party started. If you are looking for something unique to add even more excitement to your child’s grand entrance, adding an entrance video is the way to go.

At Mitzvah List, we’ve heard of Entrance Videos, Mitzvah Skits, Montages and more, but we were confused about the differences.   We asked Tony Gorkiewicz of TONE-e Films to tell us about entrance videos and how they enhance a party.

TONE-e Films is way more than your typical bar or bat mitzvah videographer. Their creative team of professional film makers, TV producers, and post production editors have captured life events for more than 20 years! From entrance videos, montages, mitzvah videography, mitzvah skits, highlight films and more, TONE-e Films has the perfect package that will capture all of your heart-felt moments and be enjoyed by your friends and family for years to come.

Tony told us that an entrance video is a short 1-2 minute video that is used to either introduce your child into their Bar or Bat Mitzvah party or as an introduction to a montage. Tony and his team schedule time with the Mitzvah Family to brainstorms ideas that highlight your child and their interests. Tony has created entrance videos with kids playing their favorite sports, with exciting voice overs, with a magician that makes the child magically appear, music videos, spoofs on a television show or even videos that make it look like the Mitzvah child is late to their own party. Entrance videos are different from Mitzvah skits, which will be the topic of our next article.

Here are some examples of Entrance Videos that TONE-e has created:

 

Sports:

Jacob Dwoskin Entrance Video   Jonah Stein’s Entrance Video, Montage  and Ending

Television Spoofs:

Ashley Zlatopolsky Digital Short

Matthew & Jason Ernst Digital Short

Music Videos:

Jillian Lesson’s Music Video and Custom Photomontage

For more information about Entrance Videos and to book a brainstorming appointment with TONE-e Films, click here to see their listing in the Mitzvah List vendor directory

Vendor Directory Mitzvah List’s Vendor Directory is growing!  Click here to see all of our great vendors! Check out our new vendors: Lit-Bit‘s are sound activated, LED glowing, music “vibbing”, message flashing Wrist-Lits and Neck-Lits that kids and adults love! Not only does it carry the message of the celebration, but days after the last balloon has popped, the Lit-Bit will still glow with memories of an amazing party. Edgewood Country Club  knows that your child’s Bar and Bat Mitzvah is a very special occasions and they are there to assist!  They are known for our culinary excellence and talented catering team.  Edgewood would love to host your child’s event and are happy to assist with menu selection, the candle lighting, montage, children’s activities and more! If you know of a fabulous vendor, let us know.  We are always looking to feature new and exciting Mitzvah Vendors.  We have expanded our vendor directory and now feature vendors in Michigan, South Florida, DC/Maryland/Virginia and Chicago.

Mitzvah Invitations 101

Invitations set the tone of your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah and tell guests important information about the service, party and more. Since an invitation is the first impression guests receive about your child Bar or Bat Mitzvah, it is important to remember that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Invitations can range in price from around $1.00 and up. So, what is the difference between a $1.00 invitation and a $50.00 invitation? Mitzvah List asked party planner extraordinaire and invitation expert, Andrea Solomon, to explain about different invitations.

 

Whether you are having an event for 2 or 2,000, let professional party planner, Andrea Solomon, be at your service. From full party and event planning to “just a little extra help”, Andrea will make your special day unforgettable. Andrea’s start-to-finish mitzvah planning services allow you to focus on your family and guests while she takes care of all the details. She also offers day of event services, including kids’ security services, where she makes sure your event goes smoothly and your guests have the time of their lives. Andrea can help you with venue selection, stationary, invitations, décor, entertainment, menus, itineraries, floor plans, lighting, hotel baskets, give-a-ways, mitzvah security, favors and more. Andrea offers a 25% discount on invitations. Andrea categorizes invitations into four groups: economical, mid-range, high end and acrylic.

Economical Invitations: Economical invitations range from $1.90 to $5.00 an invitation. Economical invitations are semi-custom which means you may be able to change colors and fonts, but not much more. If you are looking to save, choose an invitation with less layers, opt out of an envelope liner and skip the embellishment like rhinestones and bows. A great economical invitation choice that looks a little nicer is a pocket invitation. Pocket invitations open and close and include pockets for your invitation, reception and response cards.

Mid-Range Invitation: Mid-Range invitations range from $3.00 to $7.00 an invitation. Mid-range invitations include nicer paper and different printing options. Mid-Range invitations include laser cut options. Printing can include thermography, which is raised letters and often the least expensive option, or flat foil printing. Many mid-range invitations include a custom envelope flap or custom liner.

High End Invitations: High End Invitation range from $8.00 to $20.00 an invitation and up. High end invitations are custom and include thick luxurious papers and materials and are completely customizable. High end invitations include letter press, where the writing is impressed into thick paper. High end invitations can also include glitter ink, can light up and can even be sent in a box or bottle.   High end invitations come in different shapes and sizes. Square and other odd shaped invitations can add to postage costs so keep this in mind.

Acrylic: Acrylic invitations range in price from $28.00 to $55.00 an invitation and up. Acrylic invitations are very thick and heavy, so make sure you consider the postage costs before deciding on an acrylic invitation. Acrylic invitations can include many backgrounds including, photos, papers and fabrics and can usually be completely customized.

Andrea stresses that although many people like to buy things online, invitations are something you need to see in person. There is something to say about seeing, feeling and touching an invitation since you cannot tell paper thickness, colors or printing options online. A lot of planning and thought goes into a Bar and Bat Mitzvah so it’s not worth taking the chance on an invitation that may not be what you expect.

Last, don’t forget to have your invitations professionally addressed by a calligrapher. There is something to say about the elegance of hand calligraphy. Gail Geer of Gail’s Calligraphy creates beautiful calligraphy in all colors and fonts, all by hand. She can create almost any font to perfectly match your invitation. In addition to gorgeous envelopes, Gail also makes beautiful engraved gifts that include bottles of wine, wine glasses, coasters and more.

How to Sweeten Your Mitzvah Celebration

Who doesn’t love sweets? At Mitzvah List, we feel that sweets complete any Mitzvah Celebration. Sweetening your Mitzvah Celebration is a great way to personalize your event and show your guests how sweet they really are. Below are some of Mitzvah List‘s favorite ways to sweeten your Mitzvah Celebration:

Table Cards:

Table cards are a great way to sweeten your celebration.  Why not choose a table card that is not only functional, but also delicious?

Michelle Daniels‘ love for chocolate began when crafting chocolate as a hobby for family and friends. After receiving rave reviews for her delicious chocolates and unique creativity, Homemade Chocolates by Michelle in Southeast Michigan grew into a thriving business. Michelle’s hand crafted chocolate delicacies include unique and custom packaging perfect for special events and occasions. Michelle’s custom personalized chocolate oreos with your child’s picture of logo make the perfect table card or favor.

 

 

 

Danielle Ockman of Favor it Things in South Florida loves to make every event sweet with delicious chocolate custom party favors. Danielle’s personalized chocolate oreos and custom chocolate frames are perfect as a table card.

 

Chocolate on the Table:

Providing chocolates on each table shows your guests how sweet you think they are. Homemade Chocolates by Michelle makes delicious and beautiful mouthwatering trays for your guests to enjoy. Michelle’s trays can include her custom oreos, with your child’s photo or logo, to add a personalized touch.

 

Sweet Treats:

Dessert is usually the best part of any meal.  Having yummy and fun sweet treats at your child’s celebration is a delicious way to end the evening. Here are some of Mitzvah List’s favorite sweet treats:

Cool Jacks custom makes delicious ice cream sandwiches using homemade cookies and ice cream. They bring their adorable cart to your event and make cookie ice cream sandwiches with your favorite flavor cookies and ice cream.

 

Nice Modern Creamery makes fresh liquid nitrogen ice cream in front of your guests. What starts out as liquid, turns into delicious ice cream in tons of flavors with lots of yummy toppings.

 

Dessert Bars:

Garrett Popcorn Shops specializes in customized party favors as well as on-site popcorn bars! All of Garrett’s flavors are gluten free, non-GMO and preservative free.

Andrea Solomon is an amazing party planner and designs beautiful candy displays and bars. She brings an on site attendant and all the containers, scoops and candy for your guests to devour.

Rocket Fizz has the largest selection of candy and soda ever found in one store. They have an amazing selection of candy on site and can set up a mini candy store or table at your event for your guests to enjoy.

Giveaways:

Leaving with something sweet is the perfect way to end a perfect night.  Homemade Chocolates by Michelle’s chocolate covered strawberries or truffles are a delicious way to thank your guests for coming to your child’s celebrations.

Garrett Popcorn is also a delicious treat to take home.  Garrett will package your favors so they are ready to leave when your guests are.

Favor It Things’ name says it all.  They specialize in custom favors and will create adorable personalized tags.

Tipping Tips

Almost all Mitzvah Parents are on a budget, however, one area that often goes overlooked in the budget is tipping. At Mitzvah List we realize how important it is to show appreciation for excellent service, especially when a vendor goes above and beyond their duties. While tipping is not mandatory and is always within your discretion, lots of Mitzvah Planning Parents have asked how much they should tip at their event. For this reason, we have asked party planning guru, Pat Blackwell of Party Assurance a/k/a The Red Coat Ladies, how much Mitzvah Parents should tip.

Pat stresses that tipping should be within your comfort level and discretion. She feels that it is customary to tip those that have helped make your party a success. Below is a range of how much Pat suggests that Mitzvah Parents tip:

• Dancers/Party Motivators between $25 and $35 per person

• MC between $100 and $250

• DJ $50

• Catering Manager or Room Captain $50 to $100

• Catering Sales Person between $150 and $300

• Bartenders. If gratuity if not included in the contract, $50 to $75 per bartender.

• Catering. If your contract does not include gratuity, you should tip 15% to 20% of the total bill or $20-$50 per server.

• Bathroom Attendant $25.

• Coat Check. This varies depending on how they are paid by the venue. Ask the sales manager for advice on how to tip the coat check.

• Valet. $25 for each attendant that is there at the end of the night.

• Transportation. $25 to $50 per driver.

• Hair and Makeup Artist should receive a 15% to 20% tip, the same as you would tip for any other salon visit.

• Day of Event Party Coordinator. Most people tip their lead person $50-$150 and assistant coordinators $20-$40.

• Decorators. This is in your discretion, but $200 is very generous and often well deserved.

• Photo Booth/Mitzvah Activity Vendors. $20 per attendant.

• Rabbi/Cantor – Most will not accept tips. However, depending on your relationship with your Rabbi or Cantor, a donation to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund or another temple fund is a nice gesture.

• Tutor. If you have a relationship with your tutor and you know what they like, a gift is always a nice gesture. Gift cards are always the right amount and right size. They probably have received tons of Judaica so make sure if your purchase Judaica, it’s something they don’t already have.

If someone really made your event special, make sure to let them know. A personal gift and note always go a long way.

Here’s another tipping tip … make sure you bring all of your tips with you to your event. The last thing that you want to do at the end of your celebration is search for cash and checks to tip your vendors. Decide what you want to tip ahead of time and place each tip in an envelope marked for each vendor.

And our last tip is our most important … make sure you register your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah Date on Mitzvah List.  There is nothing worse than planning an event (and tipping lots of vendors at that event) when no one is there to enjoy your celebration. Make sure you search www.mitzvahlist.com to avoid date conflicts and like us on Facebook.

Fun Mitzvah Activities

Bar and Bat Mitzvah activities provide that “extra bit of fun and variety” to ensure all your guests are busy, entertained and happy throughout your entire event. Activities provide exciting options for guests who want to interact and have fun through games, technology and interactive crafts.

Thirteen-year-old teens are a mixed bag of kids, depending on birth order, friend groups, parenting-style, schools, etc.  Some Mitzvah-aged kids are socially and emotionally ready for dancing, while others are not yet prepared for that kind of interaction. Activities often give kids who don’t want to dance an opportunity to feel a part of the event without having to place themselves in an uncomfortable situation.

There are tons of entertainment activities available for Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. According to one of Mitzvah List’s favorite vendors, Star Trax, activities should be easy to use, appropriate for both males and females, and space and power-sensitive.  Geoff Kretchmer, owner of Star Trax, said, “it is critical that the company providing the activity have well-trained staff to run the activity, introduce it to the kids, and provide a fun and safe environment so that kids feel comfortable approaching and playing these games. It’s also important that the company personnel provide appropriate supervision so these games are treated gently and that control is maintained at all times.  Staff should be responsible for moving kids through at a reasonable pace allowing everyone to participate and play.”

So, what are the hottest activities around?  Here are some of Mitzvah List’s favorites:

GAMES

Kid’s LOVE games!  Star Trax offers a ton of options.  Here are some of our favorites from Star Trax:

A 16-player LED Foosball Table: 

Plunk-It – a combination of basketball and ping-pong 

Strike-A-Light 

Bubble Hockey 

CRAFTS 

Crafts are fun at Bar and Bat Mitzvah and can also be a great take-away gift.  Some of Mitzvah List’s favorite Mitzvah crafts are:

Airbrush:  Airbrush is a fun activity where the possibilities are endless. Our favorite Airbrush artists are Cathy from Airbrushed Stuff  and Matt from Fester Custom Airbrush.  They can airbrush on almost anything.

Wax Hands:

Everyone loves wax hands!  They make a great memory of a fun night.  Creative Arts Studio does an amazing job keeping kids entertained and helps them create fun, cool keepsakes.

Burn Bracelets:

A camp and Mitzvah favorite, Star Trax’s burn bracelets are a lasting memory from your child’s Mitzvah celebration.

BODY ART

BL Visuals:

Star Trax offers unique arm dipping in different psychedelic patterns that glow with a black light.

Henna:

Henna is a great activity and a hit at Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. An Affair to Remember specializes in henna, glitter, foil, flash and mica tattoos without stencils.

Face Paint:

Face paint is a fun activity that kids love at Bar and Bat Mitzvahs.  An Affair to Remember creates custom painted images.

Airbrush Tattoos:

Airbrushed Stuff does airbrush tattoos at Bar and Bat Mitzvahs.  Cathy will even custom create tattoos that fit your theme or logo.

Flash Tattoos:

If you are looking for extra bling, check out Star Trax foil tattoos.

CUSTOM APPAREL

 

Elite Feet

Who doesn’t love Nike Elite socks?  Instead of giving them as a dance floor prize, Star Trax will customize them for each of your guests on site.

On-site Printing

Customize hats, jerseys, sweatshirts and more with Star Trax on site vinyl printing.  They can print on-site on almost any image.

PHOTOS

Everyone loves leaving a Bar or Bat Mitzvah with a photo keepsake.  There are so many photo booth options that we dedicated an entire article to this topic.  Click here for more information.

With all of these options, it is easy to customize your child’s celebration.  Make sure you check out the vendor directory on Mitzvah List for lots of options.

Candle Lighting Ceremonies

While the focus of a Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebration is the Mitzvah Child, it is also a great opportunity to recognize the special people in your child’s life. It takes a village to raise a child. Recognizing those who have instilled values, shared laughs, tears, holidays and life experiences makes a Mitzvah Celebration complete. A candle lighting ceremony is a wonderful way to honor family and friends that make up your village. Since there are many variations of a candle lighting ceremony, we consulted with Claudia from It Could Be Verse to learn about the different candle lighting options.   For more than 20 years, It Could Be Verse has turned your thoughts, feelings and emotions into warm, witty and wonderful poems, speeches and toasts. Their writing is original, distinctive and tailored to your individual needs. For a new twist on a candle lighting, It Could Be Verse offers the puzzle ceremony.Whether it’s honoring guests at your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah candle lighting or puzzle ceremony or making a toast at a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, wedding, birthday or anniversary or honoring/roasting a colleague at a corporate dinner, It Could Be Verse will say it for you with humor, taste and warmth. We asked Claudia several questions about candle lighting ceremonies:   How many candles are in a traditional candle lighting ceremony? A traditional candle lighting ceremony has thirteen candles, but this number is flexible. Make sure you do what works for you and your family.   Candle Lighting Display from Top That Table. Is there a certain order that a candle lighting ceremony follows? Usually the memorial candle come first because you don’t want to end the ceremony on a sad note. It usually follows with grandparents; aunts/uncles/cousins; great aunts/great uncles; family friends; the child’s friends which can be all together or divided between camp, school and/or sports teams; siblings and then parents. It Could Be Verse usually likes to add a candle at the end for everyone.   Candle Lighting Display from Susan Siegal & Company What is a Puzzle Ceremony? A puzzle ceremony is a twist on a traditional candle lighting. It Could Be Verse enlarges 2 photos…..one of your child as a baby and 1 current photo. .The current photo is cut up into as many pieces as honorees. As each honoree called up, they place a puzzle piece onto the mounted baby photo, visually turning your child into who they are today. The parents place the last piece as they are the ones who have truly completed their child. Puzzle Ceremony from It Could Be Verse.   What is a Past, Present and Future Candle Lighting?     A Past, Present and Future candle lighting ceremony is a shorter version of a traditional candle lighting ceremony. Instead of lighting the traditional 13 candles, only 3 candles are lit – one that represents the past, one for the present and one for the future. The Past Candle can be a memory candle, for grandparents and/or other relatives. The Present Candle is lit by the child’s immediate family. The Future Candle is lit by the child’s friends.   Candle Lighting Display by Awesome Events Do candle lighting ceremonies need to rhyme? There is no rule that candle lighting ceremonies have to rhyme. However, a rhyming candle lighting ceremony makes it easier to read and more enjoyable to listen to.   Candle Lighting Display by Flowers by Amore Are there any other times at a Bar or Bat Mitzvah to recognize family and friends? The Mitzvah Child’s parent usually give a toast at the celebration. While toasting the Mitzvah Child, this is a great opportunity to thank the guests for coming and being a part of your child’s life. It Could Be Verse also writes toasts, bimah speeches and more to enhance your celebration.   Another Puzzle Ceremony by It Could Be Verse If you want a creative and warm candle lighting, toast or bimah speech that will set your party apart, contact Claudia and Marcia today at It Could Be Verse by email at info@itcouldbeverse.com or by phone at 732-679-8093.

Prizes and Giveaways on the Dance Floor

Many people equate the success of a Bar or Bat Mitzvah with the number of guests on the dance floor.  For kids, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs parties can get repetitive. Many kids on “the circuit” have 2-3 Bar or Bat Mitzvahs a weekend! For this reason, many parents choose to have fun dance floor giveaways and prizes as an incentive to get guests dancing. The giveaways and prizes serve several purposes, but most importantly are lots of fun!

So what is the difference between dance floor prizes and giveaways?

Dance Floor Giveaways are favors passed out by the entertainers on the dance floor, encouraging guests to join in and dance. These things are usually inexpensive, simple to hand out and easy to wear.

Dance Floor Prizes are prizes given to the guests who are working hard to make the child’s party great and those that are winning contests and prizes. Kids and adults will dance and participate more if dance floor prizes are handed out. Prizes are usually larger more specialized items

So what are the best Dance Floor Giveaways and Prizes? We asked some of our favorite entertainment companies around for ideas on what will get kids and adults out on the dance floor:

With over 20 years of experience in the social event market, Star Trax Events provides nearly every element in producing a great event, including MCs, DJs, dancers, lighting, staging, event consulting, photo products, activities, giveaways, valet parking, and much more! Star Trax high-energy MCs guarantee that your dance floor is filled with magic, excitement and energy.  Geoff Kretchmer, owner of Star Trax, recommends getting prizes for 20% of the kids. He suggests that parents get a variety of items that attract boys and girls of all ages including apparel, gift cards and fun “chachkies.” Geoff believes that giveaways should be chosen carefully and when possible affixed to some part of the body. He prefers items like: sunglasses, necklaces, hats, bracelets, fun ties, rings, etc. Items like balls, baton and flashlights get tossed around on the dance floor and can create unnecessary chaos. Star Trax recommends that parents order approximately three giveaways per child. It is important that entertainers hand out giveaways throughout the event so that guests are not over-saturated at any specific time.

 

Cloud 9 Special Events has successfully entertained thousands of events nationwide for almost two decades. They have a fully interactive staff consisting of MCs, DJs, Dancers, Choreography, Lighting, Sound, Staging, Touring, and Live performance. We asked Jamez Frederick, owner of Cloud 9 his advice on the best prizes and giveaways. For prizes, Cloud 9 recommends gift cards. Not only are they easy to put away (so they don’t get lost or taken), kids don’t know the exact amount of the gift card so it adds excitement. Jamez and his team also love items that glow and blink. Kids love to receive these items on the dance floor, they are inexpensive and add an element of fun and décor to your party.

 

 

Party It Up Events is a full service DJ, Emcee, Lighting and Photo Booth/Digital Photos company. With more than a decade and a half providing entertainment services to metro Detroit and beyond, they not only provide the best services around, but they also work alongside the best companies in the business to assure your event is amazing and perfect! Keith Glenn, owner of Party It Up Events suggests giving gift cards to places like Starbucks or 7-11 for prizes. Popular giveaways are things like sunglasses, beaded necklaces, hats, glow bracelets, necklaces and rings, LED lit multi colored foam sticks and blow up items. Keith suggests that all items are ready to pass out before the party so that the emcees, dances and DJs are not side tracked during your event getting these items ready. Keith also cautions about ordering glow sticks during colder months because if they freeze during shipment, they will not work at your event.

Stealth DJs Mobile Disc Jockey Service is passionate about dancing and maintains a high level of energy, while providing fun and excitement through music, games and dancing. They realize that each of their events is unique and ensures the success by customizing each party to the child’s specifications. Stealth DJ’s professional MCs will also act as an event coordinator to ensure that everything flows smoothly throughout the celebration. Eric Cone, owner of Stealth DJs suggests giving out prizes only when they are earned. He suggests at least six big prizes that are unusual such as LED disco lights, fun pillows, big candy, lava lamps, gift cards, card games, clothing and the like. The prizes can be tied to your theme or the game that is being played. Eric and his team prefer giveaways that you can wear. Some of his favorite items are LED jewelry, sunglasses, feather boas, fedora hats, beaded necklaces, logo t-shirts and the like. Eric cautions that glow necklaces, glow bracelets or glow sticks that you have to “crack” to activate, usually end up on the floor and are not appreciated. Similarly, bouncy balls are thrown around during the entire party and therefore not suggested.

 

Music in Motion will create the ultimate Bar or Bat Mitzvah experience. They understand the importance of your child’s special day and their attention to detail and superb customer service will ensure your party has its own unique flair. Music in Motion provides great value with their customized non-stop entertainment with high energy MCs and Party Motivators. Ross Reimer, owner of Music in Motion told us that the best prizes are gift cards, fun novelty items from places like Five Below and during colder months, fun winter hats. One hot trend is having a big prize such as Beats headphones or Apple TV that can be used to entice kids that wouldn’t normally dance onto the dance floor. For giveaways Ross and his team recommend foam batons, top hats, LED tentacle hats, flashing expandable LED glow balls, finger lights and 22 inch glow necklaces. Ross suggests that parents have prizes ready to go so the entertainment company can spend time on the dance floor instead of getting giveaways ready to pass out.

In addition to asking some of the best companies around, we also asked tons of 12 and 13 year olds on the circuit their favorite prizes and giveaways. Favorite prizes included: fuzzy or wool socks, Nike Elite Socks, big candy, fun pillows, Popsockets, headphones, speakers and gift cards. Favorite giveaways included: flat hats, beanies and glow stuff like the sticks, glasses and necklaces. Most of the kids agreed that the glow stuff makes the parties more fun, but no one takes it home. Kids unanimously agreed that having one expensive prize that is given away at the end of the night creates lots of fun and motivates people to dance.

Dance floor giveaways and prizes are used for fun and motivation at Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. Wherever you are located, the consensus is that kids love gift cards and big candy as prizes. We love big candy from Rocket Fizz since they have the best selection around. As giveaways, kids love glow items and clothing. Whatever you choose for your child’s Bar or Bat Mitzvah, if you choose something fun, you won’t go wrong!