The British are Coming Mitzvah

You'll be sending out a formal Bar or Bat Mitzvah invitation, but that doesn't mean you can't have fun with your party invitation. You can include a party invitation in the same envelope as your formal invitation or mail it separately. If you're mailing it separately, make sure to mail it shortly after your formal invitation is mailed.

A caricature invitation is a great option for such a special party. They are completely personalized for your child and are great for centerpieces, sign in boards, seating cards and other decorations at your party. Have your child dressed as as a palace guard inviting everyone to attend his/her BRITISH Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

Passport invitations or boarding passes are also perfect themed invitations for your British theme Bar or Bat Mitzvah party!
At the entrance to the party room, have two palace guards in full regalia (hire actors to fill these roles) on either side of the door. Another character could be an English bobbie (policeman) who would greet guests with a speech balloon that says, "no shirt, no shoes, no service!" Decorate your cocktail area with British flags and red, white and blue balloon bouquets.

Create small signs directing people to famous British sites, such as

10 Downing Street, Hyde Park, London Zoo
Piccadilly Circus, Kensington Palace, Parliament
Buckingham Palace, Scotland Yard, Abbey Road
Tower of London

The sign-in board would have famous names already signed on it just for fun signed by:

• James Bond
• Austin Powers
• Paul McCartney
• Queen Elizabeth
• Mick Jagger
• Ringo Starr
• Harry Potter

Or have a 3D sign in book personalized for your child. The books make a great memento from your event! We always suggest having a a bouquet of balloons next to the sign-in board or book!

At your seating card area, have a "tube" (subway) map with blue lines and red lines for your seating cards, with directions like,

Adults: "Mr. & Mrs. Gold …
Take the Blue Line to Hyde Park and
exit to your right; you'll find Table #1"

Kids: "Brian Smith …
Your stop is the LONDON ZOO!" (This would be the kids area.)

Then create a sign on the seating card table that says, "Take the TUBE (that's the subway, blokes) to your destination!" Don't forget to have balloons in this area too!

Imprinted cocktail napkins are great for cocktails and dessert at a Bar or Bat Mitzvah. Why not try something like, "The British are coming! The British are coming! for (name)'s Bar/Bat Mitzvah, (date)."

The kids' area in the party room would have a sign overhead that says: "LONDON ZOO" with animals peeking out. Their buffet table would have small British flags waving from it along with a sign that makes it look like a concession at the ZOO.

British Theme Table Decorations
For your centerpieces, try a 3 sided caricature centerpiece of your child as the palace guard with balloons coming out of the base. You can use the same centerpiece for the kids tables or just stick with the balloons. Remember to use red, white and blue!

Instead of candles on the tables, choose personalized mini tabletop lanterns with a photo of your child in London on all four sides. The all come with LED candles, so they are safe to use on the kids tables too, and look great surrounding a centerpiece.

It would also be great to put a copy of your own personalized London Times (all about Jonathan and his relatives and friends from out of town who came to visit) at each place for your guests to read during the party. This is a great alternative to a candlelighting ceremony and doubles as a fun party favor.

Your menu can certainly be inspired by British food as well. The kids may like fish and chips. Or try individual size pot pies or Cornish pastries. How about a carving station with roast beef and roast lamb. Be sure to offer an assortment of tea (and biscuits) with dessert. You can have an elaborate "tea bar" with an assortment of teas along with honey, sugar and flavored creams.

British Party Favors
There are lots of great British party favors that would work for your party. How about:

• Bags of tea (imported)
• British candy
• Custom CDs with music from The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and more

Have fun, from the Party Girl and the Party-ettes!