INVITATIONS
Traditional Bar Mitzvah Invitations: Bar Mitzvah invitations do not have to follow any strict rules, but using a heavy card stock of while cotton or linen paper engraved with black or charcoal ink is a choice of sophistication. For a more masculine feeling bar mitzvah invitation try using block lettering or simple italic, and for a sweet, feminine feeling bat mitzvah invitation try a calligraphed text.
Funky Bar Mitzvah Invitations: To move away from the standard bar mitzvah invitation some parents and bar mitzvah kids are using papers in unusual sizes, colors, and even exotic materials like rubber, metal, and fabric. What\'s your Bar Bat Mitzvah theme? This is good place to start when coming up with a good unconventional invitation idea.
Ok, Now Do I Write In The Bar Mitzvah Invitation? Well, of course you should start with the basics like who, what, when, where, and why. You may also want to incorporate Hebrew on the invitation by writing the child’s given Hebrew name underneath his English name, and try adding Bais Hey in the upper right hand corner of the invitation. These Hebrew characters signify a traditional blessing. Also, you may want do a double-sided invitation where one side is written in English and the other in Hebrew. This works well if you're going to have a very religious service. For divorced parents, the mother’s name can be written first, with the father’s name beneath on its own line.
Sample text:
It is with great pride and joy that we invite you to join us as our son
____________ [Child’s first and middle names]
____________ [Child’s Hebrew name]
Is called to the Torah as a Bar Mitzvah
Saturday, March 14 [day of the week, month, and date of service]
at three o\'clock [time of service] in the afternoon [time of day]
Miami Temple [name of synagogue]
Two Hundred Main Street [address of synagogue]
Miami, Florida [city and state where Bar Mitzvah will take place]
Josh and Mira Weinstein [proper names of those hosting]
Reception at The Oaks Mansion [location]
When to Order/Send: Invitation orders should be placed three to four months before the Bar Mitzvah date. The sooner the better so you can proof them, make changes, and address the envelopes, and keep in mind calligraphers require up to two weeks to address 100 invitations. The most common time to send out invites is six weeks before the party, though eight weeks is ideal (10 weeks for guests coming from abroad).
REPLY CARDS
Going Traditional: the typical bar mitzvah reply card asks the guest to check a box letting you know many people will attend the Bar Mitzvah’s ceremony and reception. Make sure you add the date for the return of the reply card.
Making it a little different: To accommodate your guests with dietary concerns, you may add menu options to your Bar Mitzvah reply cards, so that guests can choose what they wish to eat, and so the caterer can be fully prepared for the number of vegetarian or alternative meals needed.
Stamps: Personalizing your child’s postage stamps is a pretty cool idea. Check out PhotoStamps.com and choose a photograph, monogram, or a logo that matches your bar mitzvah invitation.
RECEPTION CARDS
Traditional Style: Add these small bar mitzvah reception cards are in the invitation if your Bar Mitzvah is being held in the evening or at a location other than the synagogue. Bar Mitzvah reception cards are also a great option if your child is having a kids-only party, in which the same people will not be invited to the service and the reception. The reception cards will include the celebration date, place, and time.
To Make it Fun: Take this opportunity to really showcase your theme, especially if you went with a more formal bar mitzvah invitation style. Use baseball-shaped cards for a Bar Mitzvah boy who is way into sports - this can work for bat mitzvah girl who is way into sports too. ; ) The main idea is to make this part of the invite a little more fun and playful, so your guests know it's time to party. Even something as simple as a wacky font can help change the vibe.
THANK-YOU CARDS
Sending Traditional Bar Mitzvah Thank You Cards: These cards are used to thank guests for their gifts and attendance at your child’s Bar Mitzvah, and usually feature your child’s monogram. This daunting task is keeping track of who was there and what they gave as a gift, because it's nice to personalize each bar mitzvah thank you card.
Go to www.ModernMitzvah.com to choose your Bar Mitzvah Invitations, invites and stationary.
Adding something special: Do you think it would be nice to send a picture card or postcard featuring a fun photo of your child from the Bar Mitzvah? Go to Shutterfly.com or KodakGallery.com for more bar mitzvah photo ideas.
Send these thank you cards when?- As a common rule of thumb, bar mitzvah thank-you notes should be sent out within two weeks upon receiving any gifts before the Bar Mitzvah day. For those who brought gifts to the Bar Mitzvah, thank-yous should be sent out within a month.
