Bar Mitzvahs: Tips & Tricks

And you thought the carpool back and forth to Hebrew school was the hard part . . . planning the Bar Mitzvah can be tough, too! Luckily, we've got some tips and tricks for making the planning -- and the Bar Mitzvah -- go smoothly.

Get a Move on!
The sooner you start planning, the better. You'll be competing against other Bar Mitzvahs (not to mention weddings, Sweet Sixteens, and so on) for vendors, and if there are other kids at your synagogue whose birthdays are near your child's, you'll want to know whether you'll have to share your date with someone else. If you're not comfortable sharing the service with someone else, you'll have to work on finding a way to have the service outside of your synagogue.

Skip Saturday
Looking to save some cash? Have your Bar Mitzvah on a Sunday or on Saturday afternoon. Saturday night's the busiest time for everyone in the Bar Mitzvah business, so you'll pay premium prices to party then. Going with an "off time" may net you a better rate and give you more options when you're figuring out who to hire.

Dancing in the Dark
Even if you're having a Bar Mitzvah during the day, turn down the lights for the best Bar Mitzvah atmosphere. "Kids are often self-conscious and feel more at ease dancing in an environment with an evening ambiance," says Claudia Warner of Gourmet Advisory Services.

Pick the Right People
Finding Bar Mitzvah professionals you're excited to work with is key. You may want to bring your child along on some of your interviews with potential vendors -- especially your photographer. As Chris Herder of LotusPhotographers says, "Punctuality, creativity, trust, and an eagerness to please are key. You want to get the sense that they are there for you."

Have a Warm-Up Act
One sure-fire way to get the 13-and-under crowd to have a good time? Hire a dancer (or two) to teach your younger guests a thing or two. Ask your band or DJ for recommendations -- chances are, they have a Bar Mitzvah crew they work with regularly.

Do Them a Favor
Don't forget to thanks your guests for coming! A great Bar Mitzvah favor that fits with your theme or colors is a must-have. Kevin S. Kiernan of All About Parties Inc. had perfect advice for picking your giveaways: "Remember, people will associate the item with you [and your child], so make it special!"


-- Holly Reich
Resources: Claudia Warner, Gourmet Advisory Services (gourmetadvisory.com); Chris Herder, LotusPhotographers (LotusPhotographers.com); Kevin S. Kiernan, All About Parties Inc. (allaboutparties-ny.com)