Ok, last bar mitzvah post (for now!)… but the others have been popular so apparently there’s a hunger for planning info…and/or people are just nosy and like to see what others are doing.
I get it!
This one focuses on decorations and how we tried to make the Kiddush lunch and evening party personal.
You can buy services for just about anything you want when planning a bash. In an effort to save money, I didn’t hire a party planner, or anyone to do flowers, décor, or favors. While I’m not crafty, I have some creative vision and enjoyed putting the party together on my own. The down side is the time and energy self-service entails. I was busy researching and ordering online, and borrowing or gathering items around the house for many weeks leading up to the event. The last two weeks required a lot of schlepping. But to me, it was all worth it. (Wilson may have another story.)
If you’re interested in personalizing your party it might help to make a list of all the things your kid (or whomever is your guest of honor) loves. Jacob is a sports fanatic so that was an easy place to start.
Kiddush lunch personalizing:
I tried to stay basic for the lunch: white tablecloths—you can do paper or linens, depending on your budget—because they’re bright, classic, and everything goes with white. I bought plastic plates and cutlery from PartyCity.com (they have great color variety) in chocolate-brown and had a roll of burlap ribbon and hardware store twine to accessorize. I bought hydrangea plants from Home Depot for each table, and took some home to plant and gave others to friends who helped after the party.
Another way we cut corners was doing dessert ourselves, instead of including it in the catering package. (I could have skipped it altogether but I love sweets too much.) I got a “J” cookie cutter and made 5-dozen sugar cookies the week before the bar mitzvah and froze them so they stayed fresh. When several wonderful friends offered to help, I had them bake their favorite treats, which I displayed on my own platters and baskets from home. The wide variety of homemade desserts was a huge hit with guests.
One personal touch I added was ordering custom M&M’s with messages like “Mazel tov,” and “Jacob 3-23-13.“ Another was this cool sticker gum with Jacob’s face on it that a friend made for us.
Since I had already endured the arduous task of gathering photos for the video montage, I also made a photo book of Jacob for guests to sign.
Evening party:
Think about who your kid (or party focus) is and bring that into the room. My kid’s obsessed with sports so we took the sports team pennants hanging in his bedroom and hung them across one wall of the party space, punctuated by holiday lights. Maybe your kid is a big reader so you could use a pile of favorite books as centerpieces, or instruments for a music fan. Bringing items from your home (in good condition) can add ambiance and connection to a generic space.
I went to an event-planning warehouse and bought fake wheatgrass and natural wood boxes, which I accessorized with our own sports balls as centerpieces. I had several of the football, soccer, and baseballs autographed by Jacob’s team members and the kids were excited to find their names at the party. The centerpieces turned out well and it was all reusable stuff.
When we didn’t have enough centerpieces for small high top tables we used some of Jacob’s trophies with candle votives.
We used a ton of candles all over the room, which adds light and movement, and creates a cozy atmosphere. I also stole an idea from my friend, Jen, and repurposed pasta sauce jars to hold candles outside the club, which is a very Martha Stewart-y move if you have outdoor space.
Over the fireplace mantle in the middle of the room, we used family photos in frames from my living room. Photos are a great, easy and inexpensive way to personalize a room. You can use the frames you have at home or buy basic ones at Target or Bed, Bath, and Beyond and pop in pix from every year. Everyone loves adorable baby pictures and those awkward school shots.
I picked three of my favorite photos of Jacob—one with his brothers— and two with a sports theme and ordered framed stretch canvases to decorate the walls. The canvaslifestyle.com site was easy to use and now I have art to hang in his room or the basement.
We took bringing home into the space so seriously, we took Jacob’s bedroom door off the hinges and had everyone sign the back of it. It looks really cool in his room and brings back memories of the weekend.
Try to gather ideas in advance if you can, so you have time to shop around for the best deals. I knew I wanted the custom M&M’s so I waited until the site had a holiday discount. I found coupons online and researched which companies had free shipping. I kept an eye out for Groupon-type promos and got a great deal on the photo canvases. Although it can be a time suck, online research inspires creativity.
I could not have pulled the room together if it weren’t for the help of my friends and family—especially my enthusiastic mother. Many stayed up late stuffing favor bags, while others balanced on ladders to hang lights and photos. Wilson gallantly loaded and unloaded the minivan countless times. It was a group effort that made “do-it-yourself” possible, and a lot more fun. Shout out to my crew—thanks ladies!
Hope you’ll be back for more in 2016!
Please ask questions and/or share your decorating ideas in the comments.
carpool candy 
American Idol home stretch
I would have liked to blog about my Idol top 3 predictions weeks ago (because I’m usually right) but I haven’t been able to watch the show live all season. I’ve been too busy to devote 3 hours a week to the live broadcasts so the kids and I have spent a few weekends catching up on back episodes, which is not nearly as fun as watching live and voting.
The judges never used their “save” this season so it wasn’t a huge surprise when they said there would be no elimination this week. That leaves the top 4: Candice Glover, Angie Miller, Kree Harrison, and Amber Holcomb– a strong group with no obvious weak link. It’s about time a girl won the title, which hasn’t happened since Jordin Sparks won in Season 6. (Full list of past Idol winners here.)
Last 4 Idol contestants, (from left) Candice Glover, Angie Miller, Kree Harrison, Amber Holcomb/ FOX
Although I’m not wild about the judges this year, the talent has been amazing and the show production keeps getting more elaborate with each season. The sets, lighting, back up singers, hair, makeup, and styling make these kids look like stars early on.
They got rid of the celebrity mentors and stuck with Jimmy Iovine to work with the kids and give them advice. I like Jimmy. He’s a character and his brutal honesty is refreshing and helpful.
But the foundation of the show is the judges table. My thoughts thus far:
Nicki Manaj– I’m not a fan. She sits perched in her seat, stroking her long, faux blond tresses like Dr. Evil pawing Mr. Bigglesworth, as she gets ready to pounce. She seems to constantly crave attention, with her style, wacky accents, and unnecessary roughness about performances that don’t suit her fancy. Some comments are sweet and supportive, others are venomous, causing fights with fellow judges and an angry crowd. I do give her credit for her honesty but I cringe when she speaks, which makes for compelling but uncomfortable TV.
Randy Jackson-– My overall feeling is that he’s mailing it in. I kind of get it after 12 seasons. Towards the end of the season he’s been more excited about the performers– particularly Candice and Amber– but since Nicki is so biting, it allows Randy to sit back and play Mr. Nice Guy. His advice is usually solid if he takes the time, but his comments don’t stand out, especially since we’ve heard them all before. He’s been wearing less crazy jackets and lapel pins this year, which is also a disappointment.
Keith Urban – I like Keith. He offers the most constructive advice and knows and loves music, which comes through in his comments. He is completely engaged in the process and wants the contestants to do well, which is what you want in a judge. He often plays the role of peacemaker and has a classy way of saying “that performance was stinky but you’ll get it next time.” He also rocks a t-shirt better than most.
Mariah Carey – Oh dear. I want to like her. She’s amiable and earnest and often looks pretty, especially if you like cleavage. Her passion for music shines through. But the poor gal can’t put a sentence together to save her life. She often goes on and on and says nothing. When she talks to contestants her eyes are looking somewhere else and she uses distracting hand gestures. So clearly uncomfortable, it’s painful to watch her falter, knowing her intentions are pure. This just isn’t the gig for her. It’s surprising to see her in this light because we’ve only known her as a confident performer with a powerhouse voice. She has every reason to be owning the moment, but she can’t do it.
Ryan Seacrest keeps the show together. So smooth, but so accessible. He can handle any situation, any temperamental judge, any uncomfortable moment with charm and grace.
I was expecting a Candice-Angie showdown but after Amber and Candice took the bottom 2 spots this week, I’m rethinking. I always forget that it’s middle America voting and a lot of teenaged girls so I’m going to say it will be Kree and Angie in the finale and Angie will win in a landslide.
Who’s your favorite to win? Tell me in the comments.
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Posted in Celebrity Happenings, Fav TV, Music Notes
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