Bat Mitzvah Party Ideas

Bat Mitzvah Party Ideas – Big Blow Outs and Small Family Gatherings

Bat mitzvah parties come in all sizes. Some people go all out and have huge celebrations rivaling wedding receptions – in fact, in 2005, a $10 million bat mitzvah was the target of some unflattering media attention – but of course, other people prefer to have a simple party for a small group of family and friends. Whatever the size of your guest list, these bat mitzvah party ideas are sure to be fun for everyone - no $10 million bank account required!

Hollywood

If your daughter is a big movie fan, then a Hollywood-themed bat mitzvah celebration can make a great choice. There are many different ways you can approach this idea: you can build the theme around a favorite move, you can focus on a specific genre of movies, you can go for old Hollywood-style glamour, or you can opt for a more general Hollywood theme, decorating with various movie posters and asking guests to dress as their favorite movie characters. Some fun ideas for a Hollywood party include:

• Play a movie trivia game and give away DVDs to the winner
• Have some of the adults play the role of the “paparazzi,” snapping images of the party
• Check out eBay for movie memorabilia – cardboard cutouts of favorite actors and actresses make great decorations and are fun for the kids to pose with.

Karaoke/American Idol

Give your party guests the chance to let out their inner music star with either a karaoke or American Idol themed event. Karaoke machines can be rented from most party supply stores, and you can download karaoke music from the Internet. You can simply let everyone sing away, or you can have an Idol-style competition with a few different rounds. Remember to have a prize on hand for the winning performer.

Sports

Is the bat mitzvah girl something of a sports nut? Arrange the party around her favorite sport, be it soccer, basketball, baseball or whatever else she might be into. If she loves all kinds of sports, you can plan a mini “Olympics” style party, in which you split the guests up into teams and have them compete in a few different events. Carry the sports theme through in your party decorations as well. This kind of party is a great choice if you want to keep everyone outside.

Scavenger Hunt

This one is another good choice if you’d prefer the party guests stay outside for most of the celebration. Devise a fun scavenger hunt around a certain theme – it could be bat mitzvah-related or anything else your daughter loves, from Harry Potter to her favorite band. Split the guests into teams of three to four players and let them take off, following the clues to uncover the treasure you have hidden.

Makeover Party

If your bat mitzvah celebration is girls only, consider a makeover party. Provide plenty of nail polish, brushes, hair accessories and make-up, and let the girls give each other makeovers. If you really want to go all out, you can bring someone in to give the girls makeup tips.

Additional Ideas

Some additional tried and true bat mitzvah party successes include:

• Slumber parties
• DJ/dance parties
• Luau theme
• Fiesta theme

Party Planning Basics

When you’re coming up with your bat mitzvah celebration ideas, don’t forget to keep your party planning basics in mind. Plan the event with your guest list in mind. For instance, if the party includes younger kids, you’ll need some activities to keep them entertained, and if adults are going to be sticking around for the fun, you’ll need a space for them to sit down and chat. Planning the party around your guests will make the whole event easier and more enjoyable for you and your daughter.