Bar / Bat Mitzvah Planning with Doctor Simcha

I am trying to think of a meaningful/useful centerpiece. I saw someone who had a centerpiece with Hebrew books wrapped beautifully witha big bow on a platter that were donated to the synagogue. This is nice, but also very costly (there were about 4-5 books on each table). Does anyone have other ideas of how we can tie the centerpiece into a charity or donation but still have something beautiful?

I too try to keep the the mitzvah ceremony and celebration both meaningful and beautiful. At the very least, I recommend always designing the Kiddush luncheon decor to either relate to the weekly Parsha, reflect the mitzvah project or have a tzedakah element of some sort, or be edible.

Consider contacting your local Jewish Family Services. Many offer a program called Centerpieces for Tzedakah JFS (or your local equivalent) will rent you centerpieces for your event with all proceeds benefiting a local Jewish charity. We did this for my niece's Bat Mitzvah in Atlanta and arranged for it all by phone from San Diego.

Another option is to create centerpieces to donate to your local food pantry or homeless shelter. Display non-perishable food in a simple brown paper bag cut down to about four inches high or create "baskets" filled with stuffed animals, books sporting goods, toys, school supplies, or toiletries. With winter upon us you might consider creating baskets with winter hats, mittens and scarves. Use a different color scheme on each table setting the first with blue tones, the next with red tones, and another with yellow tones -- you get the idea. Container options other than baskets include clay pots, tin buckets, colorful spanish pots (these can get expensive). I also like these rustic tin planters with handles.

Depending on your child's interests,you might also want to consider adopting an endangered species from National Wildlife Federation. As part of your adoption package they send you a plush animal, a certificate of adoption, and a poster. You can bundle these all together to create a lovely centerpiece and then donate it all to your local children's hospital or women's shelter. I would probably recommend adopting a host of animals so you can display a different species on each table. Maybe display the poster high above the tables supported by an acrylic rod and then on the table create a mini cozy bed for you plush animal. Copy the certificates of adoption, roll them, tie them with a ribbon and place one at each place setting with a note from your teen thanking your guests for joining you and explaining the project.

Although I can go on and on, I do have one last idea. How about creating hot air balloons using a hot air balloon net and a 36" balloon. In the basket either place home baked cookies, a stuffed animal, or any other items collected for your mitzvah project. This might also work for your Hebrew books idea because it would be adorable even if you only had one or two books in each basket.

Finally, I know this is a bit off topic but since you seem to be interested in making your celebration meaningful, have you considered ecodesign kippot from Israel? An eco-friendly vegan alternative to suede-leather kippot, they look like suede kippot, but are made of recycled cardboard. How cool is that?

Hope this helps and mazel tov on your upcoming mitzvah!

You made me really think about your problem of a centerpiece that may not as costly as that one you saw. I could not give you perfect items to employ with your centerpiece, however, I could advice you of some factors you may consider before you decide. It might help you, I believe. First thing you can do, try to learn the background of the charity you’ll be donating. What kind of charity works does this institution provide? In other words, who are the beneficiaries?

As you went on knowing these things, the last thing you must do for big expense’s sake, try to look for the available materials you readily acquired. And from these, think of the things you might need to purchase further. Nevertheless, if you think it’s still expensive, you must have alternatives or you can creatively perform artistry from recycled materials instead.

But if you really want to assure the least cost possible. You may try doing this one. Create a heartfelt dedication letter for that charity and have it printed. Your letter may talks about your personal envisions for the beneficiaries of the charity or an expression of appreciation for the volunteers of the charity – or both of them placed side by side framed with creative designs. After that, you can also provide memorable images relating to that charity. Have it printed and framed too. Then, placed them side by side and alternately with the dedication letters. You can use a basket as its stand or vessel. The size of the basket depends on the size of the framed stuffs you made. Place blooming flowers around it. It might be fresh flowers, but for longevity, just use artificial ones but make sure that they look like fresh ones too. You can also wrap the handler of the basket with flowers to make it more beautiful.

If you want to do it, I assure you, it’s much cheaper but more beautiful.