JLife presents ideas on how to make your Bat/ Bat Mitzvah party stand out from the crowd.
Ask The Expert
JLife spoke to Kate Park, expert event organiser, planner and owner of Kate Park Events, to get the inside scoop on how to make your Bar or Bat Mitzvah party more personal.
Kate, who has around 15 years of experience in planning and creating private events and parties, says: “I always meet with the family a few times before we set anything in stone, so I can make sure the weekend reflects the family’s style and taste. Some prefer to host a sit down meal and party and then others want to recreate a club and enjoy casual eating. It’s all down to personal taste.”
Instead of simply following the latest fashions, Kate adds: “Although we follow the trends with food and the latest cocktails of the moment, we want each event design to be completely original – part of the challenge is always thinking of something new. This includes amazing décor and the latest activities for younger guests. Entertainment is key at a Bar or Bat Mitzvah to guarantee the dancefloor is full all night long. As a recent example, we surprised guests with music duo Reggie ‘n’ Bollie, performing hot from The X Factor final. With guests all donning New York Yankees caps, it was an amazing party.”
To find out more visit Kateparkevents.co.uk.
Snow Zone
Selecting your venue is perhaps the biggest decision when mapping out a Bar/Bat Mitzvah party, and surprising guests with an imaginative and alternative party palace is one of the easiest ways in which you can set your event apart from the crowd.
Igloo Disco, a Leeds-based inflatable igloo hire and boutique events planning company, supply a range of igloos varying in size, with structures that can hold 60 to 380 people.
The igloo tents, which are weatherproof and come with both a sound system and light show, turn the idea of a traditional marquee on its head but still retain all the benefits of temporary structures, such as the chance to hold your special day almost anywhere.
Igloodisco.co.uk
No Panic At The Disco
Speaking of discos, if you are concerned about noise level but would like your gathering to go on into the night, opting for a silent disco could help you cater for everyone.
Put playlist battles in the past as well as squabbles about taste in music by dishing out individual headphones that only the wearer can hear. The Silent Disco Company offer UK-wide dry hire of rechargeable LED silent headphones and transmitters that have a 500 metre range and can run three separate music channels.
If your Bar/ Bat Mitzvah will be accommodating guests ranging from babies to grandparents, the kids can enjoy the dance floor by using this equipment for a DIY disco without splitting off into separate rooms.
From £135
Thesilentdiscocompany.co.uk
Graffiti Artists
As for alternative entertainment, ditch the handwritten message books and opt for a digital graffiti wall instead. Equipment hire company Sunshine Events can supply an eight foot screen plus projector and printer, as well as a choice of virtual colour sprays, brush and pen effects to stir your inner artist.
Guests can channel their creativity by uploading images on which to graffiti or to create a message wall. All bookings include unlimited print-outs, an online gallery of all the masterpieces, and a USB filled with the funny images to help you remember the big day.
From £475 + VAT
Sunshineevents.co.uk
Something Different
Give something back and return to focusing on the real meaning behind the Bar and Bat Mitzvah ceremonies, when children become accountable for their own actions, as a counter point to the glitz, glamour and fun that goes hand-in-hand with the milestone.
The IDF Widows and Orphans (IDFWO), a non-profit organisation for the families of Israel’s fallen soldiers, have several schemes aimed at raising awareness such as personalised online fundraising campaigns and the chance to sponsor a child. The IDFWO can also connect a child from the Diaspora with an orphan in their Mitzvah Twinning programme and help them to set up correspondence as both plan their celebrations, allowing each to gain a greater understanding of each other’s lives.
Idfwo.org