Party Spot - Bat Mitzvah: Tips and Tricks

And you thought Bat Mitzvah classes were the hard part� planning the party can be tough, too! Luckily, we've got some tips and tricks for making the planning (and the party) go smoothly.

Get a Move on!
The sooner you start planning, the better. You'll be competing against other Bar and Bat Mitzvahs (not to mention weddings, Sweet 16s, and so on) for vendors, and if there are other kids at your synagogue whose birthdays are near yours, you'll want to know whether you'll have to share your date with someone else. If you're not comfortable sharing your 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 party on a Sunday or on Saturday afternoon. Saturday night's the busiest time for everyone in the party 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 party during the day, turn down the lights for the best party 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 party professionals you're psyched to work with is key. Yes, tagging along with your parents on interviews might not be fun, but it's important that you feel comfortable with these folks -- 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 feel good about busting a move? Hire a dancer (or two) to teach your guests a thing or two. Ask your band or DJ for recommendations -- chances are, they have a crew they work with regularly.

Do Them a Favor
Don't forget to thanks your guests for coming! A cute party 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, 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)