Gone are the old days of boring white frosting Bar or Bat Mitzvah cakes with blue Jewish starts on them… After all, this is 2009, and at this point in time cakes are readily available that will wow your guests. A flat round cake with white icing and chocolate layers may be tasty, but it likely will not leave a lasting impression on your guests.

If you have had a chance to watch a show like “Ace of Cakes,” you have already seen the amazing possibilities that exist when it comes to cakes. Cakes these days are not just flat and round. They can have interesting angles and details, pop-out characters, and even be sky-high if you like.

For your Bar or Bat Mitzvah cake, why not choose a theme that is exciting to your teen? The cake can actually mirror his or her hobby or passion. It can be anything from a sport, rollercoaster, or fashion show that literally comes to life in the form of a cake. If your teen loves music, your Bar or Bat Mitzvah cake can be designed to resemble a favorite band or album. You can also get a cake that is designed to reflect your city. For example, if you are planning a Washington D. C Bar or Bat Mitzvah, why not have your cake designed like the skyline of DC?

Some people have even incorporated Judaism into their cake in innovative ways. Why not have the cake be 3-foot tall image with an image of your teen reading from the Torah? It is possible to get creative and incorporate Judaism into the cake in a manor that far outshines just a simple Jewish star.

There are amazing cake artists in most cities that can design an innovative Bar or Bat Mitzvah cake that will impress your guests, and keep them talking. And long after the cake has been eaten, you will have fantastic photos of your teen and his or her friends smiling and having a fabulous time while slicing into the cake.

Labels: Bar and Bat Mitzvah Celebrations, Party Tips and Tricks

As many parents know, Bar orBat Mitzvah invitations can be easily be one of the most expensive parts of the event. The invitation might set the initial mood for the event, and we all love getting cool looking invitations in the mail. However, at the end of the day, the invites are usually not what people remember.

Even when you spend a great deal of your budget on the invites, let’s face it- the range of Bar and Bat Mitzvah invitations you typically see can tend to look a bit dull. If your invitations just blend in with all the others, they probably will be soon forgotten.

There are some innovative and creative ways to create your Bar and Bat Mitzvah invitations that may actually make your invitations more memorable. Why not step away from the traditional invite format and do something fun and different? It is possible to save money on your invitations, and also create something that people will remember. You can set the tone for your event to be a little more “cool” and out of the mainstream.

Etsy is a popular shopping site that you might already know. The Etsy website sells all kinds of handmade items, and you correspond and purchase directly with the original artist. Most people know Etsy sells things like jewelry and crocheted scarves, but did you also know that Etsy sells crafted invitations?

You can search a term like “custom invitations” on Etsy , and find a variety of extremely cool invitations. The range of styles, prices and even materials is pretty endless. For Mitzvahs in particular, Etsy invitations make a fantastic alternative.

In addition to finding something extremely special, you will have the pleasure of communicating with the original artist. Many of these artists will be thrilled to know you are using their design for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Templates are available, and artists are also willing to custom design invitations for prices much lower than what you might imagine.

Labels: Bar and Bat Mitzvah Celebrations, Mitzvah Invitations, Party Tips and Tricks

If you have been paying attention, you have probably noticed the website called Twitter (www.twitter.com) has really been taking off in popularity. Many of your friends are likely already using the site. Twitter allows you to post updates about what you are doing at any given moment, so your friends can know more about your day and get some insight into your life. It is also a great place to meet new friends, of course.

Twitter is a useful tool when it comes to informing people about your upcoming Bar or Bat Mitzvah events. First of all, you will have a lot of fun once you locate the twitter pages of your friends and relatives as you can connect online and see what each other are doing. You can post constant updates for one another, and comment on each other’s posts.

When planning a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, your time will likely be preoccupied with your upcoming event. Posting on twitter about your Bar or Bat Mitzvah plans will generate a lot of excitement amongst your guests. Feel free to post updates about your thoughts about the upcoming Bar/Bat Mitzvah as well as important updates for guests.

Twitter posts are called “Tweets.” These updates are meant to be short and are under 140 characters in length. So some possible twitter posts might be something like, “Sampled catering today, the desserts are to die for,” or “Listening to music from our Bar Mitzvah DJ- we love it!” Remember keep your tweets short and interesting. You can also insert links into your tweets. So, for example, if you are writing about your Bar Mitzvah DJ you can insert a link to the DJ’s website.

Your child’s upcoming Bar or Bat Mitzvah will be an extremely memorable day for everyone. Why not use all the online tools available to make your event even more memorable and exciting?

You can follow Electric Entertainment on Twitter - we're "eedjmitzvah".

Labels: Party Tips and Tricks

You have probably been seeing couples make their own wedding websites for years. As we know, a wedding website will typically list all the specifics of the affair, directions for out of town guests, gift registry information, to name just a few features. Why not create a Bar or Bat Mitzvah website? After all, your guests will need all the same information.

A Bar or Bat Mitzvah website is easy to put together and post to the web. It is easy and simple to find an affordable web template. If you want an even easier alternative to a website, you can even choose to make a Bar/Bat Mitzvah Blog for free. Just check out www.wordpress.com and www.blogger.com. These sites will allow you to sign up for free and post your Blog in a matter of moments. If you aren’t already familiar with Blogging, it is a very simple and easy skill to pick up. You can also ask your kids for help, as they very likely may know more about Blogging that you think!

Once you have your Bar or Bat Mitzvah website up and running, take some time and list all the details for travel and transportation that your guests will find helpful. You can include address, directions and photos from the hotel. For out of town guests, choices for eating and entertainment nearby the hotel will also be appreciated.

The Bar or Bat Mitzvah website is also a very tactful place to post gift registry information. You don’t want to post a hint about gifts in the Bar or Bat Mitzvah invitation, but the website will allow your guests to locate this information for themselves.

Blogs and websites are a great place to post photos. You can post images of you and your family before and after the Bar or Bat Mitzvah. After the event, you will undoubtedly have a ton more photos to post. You can also inform your guests on the website about the events at your Bar or Bat Mitzvah so they can start getting excited early on. Use your imagination and think about what will be exciting to your guests-definitely feel free to post information and links to your plans for catering and meal choices, Bar or Bat Mitzvah DJ, and photos of the venue.

Another great reason to have a website for your Bar or Bat Mitzvah is that you can email your guests, and direct them over to the site for immediate information. Also when you make an update to the site, you can instantly email all your friends and relatives and tell them to check it out.

Labels: Bar and Bat Mitzvah Celebrations, Party Tips and Tricks

Thoughtful parents and teens these days are thinking a lot about the environment and the world at large. When planning a big event like a Bar/Bat Mitzvah, why not go green? There are organizations that are leading the way towards planning events that blend a degree of activism in with Judaism. If you plan a green Bar/Bat Mitzvah, your guests not only will have a great time at your event, but they will feel better about themselves in the process.

One of the organizations leading the way towards creating Green celebrations, is Jews United for Justice in Washington D.C. Many Bar/Bat Mitzvahs in Washington DC have taken this organization’s advice and incorporated their tips. After all in the Jewish tradition is the concept of “tikkun olam” or repairing the world. As Jews United for Justice points out “as Jews we have a responsibility to alleviate the suffering of the oppressed, both within and outside our community.” See, going green is actually part of the Jewish tradition!

On the Jews United for Justice website you can download a booklet they created to provide suggestions for going green. The book describes how over 40 families planning Bar/Bat Mitzvahs in DC and Bar/Bat Mitzvahs in Maryland used creative thinking to go green.

If you live in the Washington metro area, you can get one of these guides free. Just visit http://www.jufj.org/green_just_celebrations. Green thinking can be integrated into Washington DC Bar/Bat Mitzvah DJs, Bar/Bat Mitzvah venues, Bar/Bat Mitzvah invitations and more. The booklet will be sure to spark your imagination as to what you can do to help. Even if you can only integrate a few of these ideas into your event, you will be doing your part to make a difference.

Labels: Party Tips and Tricks

By the time you finish Bar and Bat Mitzvah planning, you might very well be looking forward to relaxing with a glass of wine during the adult’s cocktail hour.  During the adult’s cocktail hour it is important to find an activity that will be fun and engaging for your child and his or her friends.  Many parents planning Bar/Bat Mitzvahs have found that this is an ideal time to set-up structured games and events for the teens.  After all, you want to enjoy that glass of wine while knowing everyone is occupied with activities and having a great time.

Some ideas for Bar/Bat Mitzvahs cocktail hour include games and activities that correspond to your child’s personal interests. Some great and innovative ideas include body art such as temporary tattoos, bringing in caricature artists, or even holding a small carnival or casino hour.

The array of ideas for cocktail hour activities for your teen is pretty endless- feel free to use your imagination.  Think about your teen’s hobbies, and try to figure out something that is a good match.  For example, if your child enjoys mental types of games perhaps you could set up a session of trivia games with prizes for the winners. If your child enjoys sports, you can bring in a small set-up of a basketball game for the kids to play.  Dancing marathons with prizes are always a great idea for kids who enjoy getting out on the dance floor.

Parents realize that the time that their child spends with his or her friends during the event will often be the most memorable.  After all that hard work and preparation, your teen undoubtedly deserves some fun and relaxation as well! 

Labels: Bar and Bat Mitzvah Celebrations, Party Tips and Tricks

So you know you're having a celebration - how can you make the atmosphere unique?

Your first step should be hiring a DJ who can transcend energy to your entire audience. If you're having a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, Sweet Sixteen, or Prom or Homecoming then you definitely should look for a youthful DJ with tons of energy, of course you always should ensure your choice has experience. In Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia, Electric Entertainment really is your best choice - for any budget.

Once you've picked your DJ, it's time to set the mood of the room. You'll need to think of the atmosphere you want, and a theme to go with it. Themes can range from a simple table dedicated to hobbies your child or group has - to full out ideas such as sports, the rainforest, or roller coasters. It's important your theme represents your event to the best of your ability. To come up with theme ideas, just think about things you really like - it's really that easy!

Labels: Party Tips and Tricks