Having a theme for your Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah is the perfect way to add a personal touch to your event. Think of things that interest you such as hobbies or a favorite sport and go with it! Almost anything can be turned into a theme for your party, so be creative and imaginative. Using a theme can be a wonderful way to liven up your Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah without taking away from the meaningful and spiritual experience it is meant to be. And it makes picking out invitations, decorations and party favors easier!
If you're having trouble thinking of a Bar Mitzvah / Bat Mitzvah party theme, here are a few popular ideas to jump-start your imagination.
Sports Theme
Whether your favorite sport is football, baseball or hockey, a sports theme is a great way to show your passion for sporting events. Get balloons in the shape of baseballs or footballs to hang at the entrance of your hall and invite guests to come suited up in their favorite team jerseys. Instead of a guestbook, have guests sign tennis balls, hockey pucks or a baseball bat. Even serve sports-themed food such as Kosher hot dogs or sport-themed cookies in different shapes.
TV and Movie Theme
Show everyone your love for Hollywood! Decorate your hall like an awards show complete with red carpet and stage. Have your guests dress like their favorite celebrity and invite them to parade down the red carpet to their tables. For a unique seating idea, have guests sit at tables named after movie stars. For example, Mr. and Mrs. Smith are seated at the Rhett Butler Table.
Israeli Theme
For some, traditional is the way to go. Use a blue and white color scheme for the decorations and party favors. Tables can be named after different cities in Israel and Israeli flags could be used as centerpieces. Filling our clear favor cones with blue and white jellybeans for party favors. Chocolate Chanukah coins, or gelt can be sprinkled on tables for the finishing touch.
Candyland Theme
Everyone loves candy. Sweeten up your gathering by using decorations with a candy theme. For unique floral centerpieces made of candy fill vases with jellybeans and stick flower shaped lollypops into them. Brightly colored balloons can resemble hard candies and are perfect when scattered around the venue. Hand out bat/bar mitzvah personalized chocolate bars as gifts your guest will drool over. Using bright colors for the table linens and other decor will give your hall the Candyland feel you're looking for.
Beach Theme
Whether you live near the coast or in the snow, a beach-themed party will put everyone in a tropical mood. Decorate with orange, pink and green lighting and maybe even some tiki torches! String tiny lanterns across the ceiling and use brightly colored flowers in vases for the centerpieces. Everyone will enjoy a limbo contest especially when it's played along with some Hawaiian music.
Fairy Tale / Princess Theme
Having a fairy tale theme party will bring out the princess in every girl. Invitations can look like tiny fairy tale books with pictures of princesses, castles and dragons. Decorate the ceiling with dark blue paper and hang a moon and stars with string to create an enchanted night. Make a castle backdrop behind the guest of honor and hand out tiaras as favors. Use lots of pink, purple and white balloons for a magical touch.
Mystery Theme
Everyone loves a good mystery. Give your party a Sherlock Holmes mystery theme. Cut out black footprints and tape them to the floor from the street into your hall. Hand out tiny magnifying glasses as favors for guests to use while looking for clues. Organize a scavenger hunt and award prizes to the winners.
Rock and Roll Theme
Everyone will be twisting and shouting at your 50's and 60's rock and roll party. Decorate your hall with pastel pink and blue crepe paper, balloons and vinyl records. Have everyone come in their best poodle skirts and have a dance-off complete with prizes. You could even have a milkshake bartender for a sweet treat after dinner. Instead of a guestbook have everyone sign a vinyl album with a white or silver marker.
Game Theme
Spice up your party with a game theme. Set up multiple games around the room and invite guests to play and compete. Award points for each win and offer a grand prize to the person with the most points at the end of the night. Stick to games like playing cards or more traditional bar/bat mitzvah games. A popular bar/bat mitzvah game is the balloon stomp. Each guest ties a balloon to his or her ankle and tries to pop other people’s balloons by stomping on them. The key is to protect your own balloon. Players must stay within a designated area…no hiding! Spice this up by adding a “musical chairs element” where when the music stops, everyone must freeze where they stand.
Magic Theme
Dazzle your guests with magic! Learn some quick and easy card tricks to impress your guests and even teach them how to do a few tricks of their own. Decorate your venue with giant cut-outs of hearts, diamonds, clubs and spades and use black, red and white balloons. Complete your tables with black top hat centerpieces with a bunny rabbit popping out! If you don't have the sleight of hand, hire a magician for the tricks while you enjoy the treats.