2011 Birthday Trends

There are thousands of different birthday party themes to choose from.  The days of birthday cake and playing pin the tale on the donkey are gone.  Kids are now asking for more sophisticated experiences for their birthday party.Our party staff has compiled a list of the newest and hottest birthday trends for 2011. 

Pamper Me Parties - Even kids like to get pampered.  So how about having a spa birthday party.  Take the girls for a day of pampering with massages and nails.  In some cases this type of party can be quite expensive, so you might consider creating a spa in your home.  Talk to your local massage therapist and nail technician, they might be able to come to you and save you lots of money.

Video Dance Parties - Tired of the same old party?  Well turn up your next party up!  Make your event a Video Dance Party, where the dj plays music videos instead of just cds.  The dj will bring out large screens to play the videos and will create a fun exciting atmosphere for your birthday party.  With advancements in technology many djs can offer you a large music video library.  No matter if you want the 70's or today's hottest music, you have it on video.

Paparazzi Parties - Does your child like the spot light?  Well bring the spot light to them!  Dress your guests up in their fanciest clothes.  Gather up some adults with there camera to be the paparazzi.  Select a few locations to visit, and have the paparazzi waiting to take there pictures.  It will be a fun night and you will enjoy watching the public trying to figure out who the celebrities are.

Extreme Parties - Does your child have a sense for adventure?  Maybe you should plan a Extreme birthday party.  The most popular Extreme party is Paint ball, you and your guests are grouped onto a team and complete against a rival team.  The object is to capture the other teams flag and not to get shot with a paint ball.  This activity is a blast, but make sure that the kids are wearing all necessary protective equipment.

Ball Park Parties - One of the coolest birthday trends is to take the kids to a ball game.  From professional teams to local teams, your city has a sports franchise.  Dress up with the team apparel, grab some hot dogs and cheer for your team.  Contact the sports team general office to see if they offer discounted group rates and if they can set up a special activity for the group.  Sometimes this includes birthday wishes on the jumbo tron and even meeting some of the players for autographs.

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Bar Mitzvah Planning – The Basics

In Jewish culture, the bar or bat mitzvah is an important ceremony. It is the rite of passage that many Jewish parents, and by extension, their children, take very seriously. Despite the seriousness of the event, it is also a party of sorts, and can be a rather joyous occasion. So, while there is a religious ceremony going on, the celebration taking place afterward is where the planning comes in. Bar mitzvah planning can be rather expensive, but they can be done on a budget if diligent attention is paid to the bottom line.

The first step in your bar mitzvah planning is to consult with your rabbi or local synagogue on a proper date. Usually the date is chosen soon after the child's 12th (for a girl) or 13th (for a boy) birthday. Larger synagogues require more lead time—possibly up to a year or more. After all, if there are several Jewish children in the neighborhood around the same age as your child, you'll be waiting for a good date. Once the date is set, a budget must be set as well. This budget affects everything you do from that point forward, from the food, to the refreshments, to the entertainment, and even the guest list. The budget isn't a mere suggestion, but a hard number you must adhere to in order to avoid overspending.

Once you have a time, place, and budget set, it's time to think about the food. This is the next logical stage of bar mitzvah planning. Remember that depending on the synagogue you attend, all food served at the party must be kosher. Oftentimes synagogues will have a list of approved caterers to use to make sure the food is kosher. If there is no such restriction, use your best judgment on what style of meal you'll have. It could be a full meal or just light refreshments; it's all up to you. If the party will be small enough, consider cooking the food yourself.

It goes without saying that some type of photos will be taken. You can hire a photographer or you can entrust a family friend to take pictures and video of the event. Quality digital cameras are cheap now, and you can usually get them back faster and cheaper than hiring a pro. Finally, a vital part of the bar mitzvah planning process is the order of the events. Any speeches or music must be taken into account, so make sure to obtain the necessary items, such as microphones and sound equipment.