Filed Under Trends & Theme Ideas |
From PartySpot.com
A theme isn’t necessary for a Bat Mitzvah, but it can make things more fun — and simplify your party planning. Why? When you’ve got a theme in mind, picking out party details is that much easier — details that fit with your theme and palette are in, obvious mismatches are out. Brainstorm with your daughter to come up with a theme that plays up one of her passions, whether it’s ballet or rock ‘n’ roll. We asked a professional party planner for five inspirational ideas for Bat Mitzvah themes, and then came up with an example for each.
Favorite Place
A vacation spot — or a dream destination — can provide great fodder for a Bat Mitzvah theme. We chose Hawaii.
· Key decor: Evoke the islands with Hawaiian-print linens, tiki torches (if you’re outdoors, of course), and tropical flowers in the centerpieces — think birds of paradise, hibiscus, and lilies.
· Entertainment: Have a troupe of hula dancers come and give a performance after dinner. You could even ask whether they can give a lesson to the kids (don’t forget the grass skirts!).
· Catering: Do a fruit smoothie bar for the kids with plenty of tropical choices like mangoes, papayas, and pineapple in addition to the classics (strawberries, bananas, and OJ), and a tropical signature cocktail (mai tais, anyone?) for the grown-ups.
· Favors: Floral leis. While the real thing (orchids and all) might be too pricey to give to every guest, inexpensive versions made with fabric flowers abound.
· Extras: Use postcards from Hawaii as place cards — and “address” each one to each guest at their table (if you’re really ambitious, have the Bat Mitzvah girl include a note to each of her friends or to special relatives).
Hobbies and Passions
Could she spend all day dancing? Are you always on your way to or from her soccer practices? Spotlighting your daughter’s number one pastime is a great way to make the Bat Mitzvah all about her. We chose singing as our example.
· Key decor: Let her inner American Idol come out with fun, nightclub-inspired decor. Think glitter, disco balls, and mirrors, and set it off with darker colors — deep purple or blue linens, and darker-hued centerpieces with a few glittery accents — to really bring out the sparkle.
· Entertainment: Rent a “Make Your Own Music Video” booth. While kids might be too shy for full-on karaoke, hamming it up for the camera with just a friend or two is perfect for this crowd.
· Favors: Make them pop star material with sunglasses, boas, and more — these fun props make for great photo ops too.
· Extras: Spotlight her favorite musicians with a “Walk of Fame” — gold stars lining the entryway to the Bat Mitzvah with her favorite singers (and maybe pictures too).
Favorite Colors
The perfect theme for the kid who’s not that into having a theme is to go with her favorite color to tie everything together. These ideas will work with any color, but we picked pink.
· Key decor: Pink balloons are fun, and pink linens are a natural. To make things a little more dynamic, vary the shades — like raspberry, ballet slipper, and bubble gum — instead of all one hue.
· Centerpieces: And of course don’t forget pink flowers. We like the idea of doing a trio of different small centerpieces that each feature one bloom (like roses, hydrangeas, and sweet pea). Another pretty option: pink roses or daisies wired into topiaries to create trees blooming with color!
· Catering: Do an all-pink candy bar so kids (and adults) can pick out treats to enjoy at the party (and afterward — don’t forget take-out containers so guests can take some home). Pink marshmallow Peeps, jelly beans, Skittles, rock candy — the choices are endless. Another option: Rent a cotton candy machine.
· Extras: Pink lighting — including a spotlight with her name in it for the dance floor. An added bonus: Warmer lighting makes for better-looking photos.
Favorite Time in History
Looking to the past can be a terrific source of inspiration for your Bat Mitzvah. Choosing a specific decade (like the ’50s) or going even further back (think ancient Egypt or the Renaissance) can put a unique spin on your daughter’s Bat Mitzvah. For our example, we chose the ’60s.
· Key decor: Decide first if you want to go ’60s mod or ’60s hippie — for a more mod look, juxtapose bright colors (poppy centerpieces, maybe?) with black and white. For a hippie vibe, think daisies, lava lamps, and beaded curtains for your decor.
· Entertainment: Celebrity impersonators can interact with guests and give you some seriously funny photos. For the ’60s, The Beatles or Jackie Kennedy could be fun. Though he’s technically from the ’90s, hiring an Austin Powers impersonator will definitely impress the kids.
· Great Favor: Get guests in on the act with sunglasses and love beads. Another option: tie-dyed T-shirts customized with the Bat Mitzvah girl’s name and birth date.
· Extras: Number tables with images of the Bat Mitzvah girl in costume as various ’60s icons, or with her picture done in the style of different artists from the era (for example, Andy Warhol or Roy Lichtenstein).
Favorite Movies
The movies are a major source of party inspiration for Bat Mitzvah themes — no surprise, since Tinseltown glamour is everywhere these days. A Hollywood theme can be as broad as, well, “Hollywood,” or opt to focus on one of your daughter’s fave flicks.
· Key decor: You can go in any direction with this theme as far as colors go — it’s the fun extras that will make it fit. Movie posters, faux film reels, and a red carpet entry will give it a Hollywood feel.
· Entertainment: Screen actual movies by the dance floor — you don’t have to have the sound on, it’s more for the ambiance. Something with lots of color and excitement (and that everyone knows so well that they can enjoy a minute or two sans sound) works best — think classics like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or The Wizard of Oz.
· Catering: Serve concession-style snacks for the kids’ dessert. And rent a popcorn popper for fresh popcorn all night long, or have your caterer dream up their version of classic sweets like Ring Dings or Ho Hos.
· Extras: Name the tables for each of your child’s favorite films, and label them with a mini version of that movie poster.
Resource: Yvette McNally, event designer for Simply Soirees Special Events, Los Angeles, CA
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Comments
Good Party Themes. What I would comment on is that people like to look for original themes that are different and not everybody would do. I Love the Hawaii theme and the pink theme, although they are pretty common.