Ileana Morales’ article for Entertainment Daily appeared earlier today. The article was titled Teens party on as families cut thousands off budgets to host coming-of-age celebrations
Ms. Morales asks: “Planning a quinceanera? Think about choreographing your own dance routine. Feeding a Sweet 16? Hope you know how to bake. Bat mitzvah on the way? You might want to share your party with a neighbor.”
She went on to comment that other families “…are cutting thousands from the budgets for teenage girls’ coming-of-age celebrations because of the sour economy, party planners said, but stopping short of canceling the bashes. After all, the parties mark a milestone in otherwise uncertain times.”
She also talked about vendors reacting to the cost consciousness of their customers. Read the rest of the article.
This video by A-BnC Parties and More, Inc. demonstrates how to construct a do it yourself music guitar cut out for your musical theme party centerpieces. The guitar is accented with guitar strings made from black yard, heavy black card stock and clear push pins. Judy shows how to take a plain white polystyrene guitar cut out, paint and add these lovely accents. She puts it on another budget “Just Add Sand” centerpiece base and accents with two pieces of onion grass. Add balloons, a table name and table place cards for an economical music guitar theme centerpiece for your Bat Mitzvah, Bar Mitzvah, wedding, special event or party!
Information about kits and supplies available at the Music Theme page of her do-it-yourself-centerpiece Website.
Lois Solomon wrote in Moms and Dads on the SunSentinal site about a theme-less bat mitzvah party.
In it she writes: “To reduce costs but still make a party that is classy and fun, I’m hiring a DJ and buying some centerpieces. I bought invitations on-line and created an e-mail address for people to RSVP. In this economy, I’m not sure guests should expect much more.” Read the rest of the article…
We found a May 29th blog posting of a beach party theme bar mitzvah at Beautiful Blooms Floral and Decor Blog. This picture of beach balls hanging from the ceiling and light show present an unusual décor touch.
Beach Theme Party Room Decor
See some of the other photographs for ideas for your next beach theme party.
I found this article by Rabbi Dara Frimmer in the JewishJournal.com on June 24, 2009. She discusses the why’s and the what’s of selecting a mitzvah project. This is an important part of this life cycle event when a young woman, or young man, transitions to Jewish adult life. A mitzvah project Rabbi Frimmer says:
“…reminds us that the celebration of the bar/bat mitzvah student amid centerpieces, flowers and balloons is not only a celebration of age and accomplishment but also a celebration of his/her capacity to heal the world.”
Later she continued: “Saying ‘thank you’ for all of life’s gifts won’t fit into the last few paragraphs of a student’s d’var Torah. At the moments when we are most aware of our blessings, mitzvah projects help us to concretize our feelings of gratitude through service to others. Sometimes, words are not enough; we need to act.”
