A Bar or Bat Mitzvah is a major milestone in a young Jewish person’s life. It’s also a time to throw a great party that’s a reflection of the honoree’s unique style! Planning an event that’s so culturally important can be daunting. That’s why we’ve come up with the ultimate Bar and Bat Mitzvah essentials guide. We’ve been a party planning source before with our Bar and Bat Mitzvah etiquette blog and Bar and Bat Mitzvah planning checklist. This blog will guide you through what you need to plan for an upcoming Bar or Bat Mitzvah.
Memorable Milestones
A Bar or Bat Mitzvah is a coming-of-age ritual, when a Jewish child, typically 13 years old, traditionally becomes responsible for their own actions and is able to participate in Jewish community life as an adult. A Bar Mitzvah consists of reading a selection from the Torah with a gathering typically held afterwards to celebrate the occasion.
What Do You Need to Plan a Bar or Bat Mitzvah?
Set a Budget
Bar and Bat Mitzvahs can range in size, from a small gathering of close family and friends to a full community affair. Whether you opt for a large event at a banquet hall or an intimate backyard get together, planning ahead by determining a budget can reduce stress and help narrow down decisions.
Book a Venue
While many opt to have their service at the synagogue they belong to, others may select a different celebratory venue. Booking your venue will also determine the date of your event.
Hire a Rabbi and Begin Tutoring
Next in our Bar and Bat Mitzvah essentials guide is to study, study, study! Since the honoree will be reciting a passage from the Torah in front of family, friends, and community members, it’s well worth it to spend time searching for a passage that’s meaningful, reflects the values of your child, and can be confidently recited. Once you’ve found a good one, find a trusted tutor, and make it a habit to study, starting a few months out!
As the parent, you will also need to hire a rabbi to lead the service. If your venue is not at a synagogue, you’ll need to find a rabbi that will travel to the venue and who will individualize the service to your child.
Choose a Theme and Order Party Decor
Next up for our Bar and Bat Mitzvah essentials guide is to pick a theme! No Bar Mitzvah party would be complete without an eye-catching and memorable thematic identity. Encourage the Bar Mitzvah honoree to start thinking early about what they might want their party to look like, and how they want their guests to feel. A theme that’s authentic, trendy, and well executed will help your mitzvah party stand out and be the best it can be. Naturally, we’ve got you covered with our blog for the top 5 Bar and Bat Mitzvah themes. What better place to start your research on your trend journey?
Once you’ve selected your theme, it’s time to order your party decor! A major Bat and Bar Mitzvah essential is custom party supplies. Whether you are looking for custom napkins, personalized cups, or want to explore our entire collection of unique Bar and Bat Mitzvah party supplies, we have you covered with the essentials.
Wow the Crowds
Next up in our Bar and Bat Mitzvah essentials guide, we’re going big or going home. Think about what kind of attractions you’d like at your party to wow your guests. Live band? Indoor skydiving setup? Ice cream truck? Major attractions are a great way to make your party stand out.
On the other side, don’t be afraid to go small. If your honoree prefers a less flashy gathering, look into booking an experience that a small collection of close family and friends can share. A private room at a restaurant, a concert, or even a short trip are wonderful memories to celebrate an important rite of passage.
Your Bar and Bat Mitzvah Essential Party Supplies Shopping List
Of course, no Bar Mitzvah would be complete without some coordinated party supplies. After all, Bar Mitzvah receptions typically feature a strong and consistent brand, so matching party favors and goodie bags are a must. While our custom napkins and cups are classics for any party, we’ve got a couple recommendations for the perfect Bar Mitzvah.
First up, we love large cellophane bags for their versatility and stunning look when foil stamped. They’re perfect for any take-away treats, and their large 4 inch by 9 inch size means there’s a lot of room for large, bold art. They also pair perfectly with gift tags. We’ve got every different color and shape of tag you could ask for, so we’ll definitely have your perfect Bar Mitzvah pairing.
Our last recommendation is our custom coasters. Perfect for any party where drinks are served (so, uh, all of them), we like coasters for their classic charm, large print area, and collectibility. What’s more fun than collecting small memories of a wonderful night?
Enjoy the Ride
No matter what party details you decide on, the most important tip of our Bar and Mitzvah essentials guide is to take a deep breath, enjoy the ceremony, and take pride in your honoree’s hard work and studiousness. Ultimately, there aren’t any wrong choices when your friends and family are able to gather to celebrate a major milestone.
We always love to hear from our party people! If our custom party supplies help make your event that little bit more special, tag us @foryourparty. We love to see how everyone uses our party supplies!
