Edited from The Jewish Exponent,
Gail Snyder
Karen Tosto, who works for Peachtree & Ward caterers in Willow Grove, PA., has planned many spectacular parties. There is, for example, the Bat Mitzvah she is currently helping to plan: Partygoers will have cocktails and hors d'oeuvres in the lobby of the Free Library of Philadelphia on Logan Square before making their way up to the roof of the building, where a breathtaking view of Philadelphia's evening skyline awaits them.
But when her own son, Max, becomes a Bar Mitzvah, Tosto envisions a dance party at Curtis Hall in Elkins Park, PA., or at a firehall. She is certain that the focus of the party will be her son. "He's been watching me plan parties since he was 5. He knows it's all about him," she says.
Max wants to have pizza and hoagies and dance to great music with his friends. Tosto, a single parent planning the party with her former husband, envisions an intimate, relaxed party that will appeal to everyone, including family coming from California and New York. " Max thinks of this party as a way to get together and do something he really loves that includes everyone."
She points out that most parents have never given a large party before and may need help figuring out what kind of reception they want. "I like to give them a lot of information so they know what party they want to plan vs. selling them a cookie-cutter party," she says.
Her advice is to trust your gut feeling when hiring a caterer, musicians, decorators and other vendors. Make sure that you are confident they will carry out your wishes.
Some other party-planning decisions made by the Bar/Bat Mitzvah-to-be can be surprising. For example, Tosto found out that children enjoy sushi, Peking Duck rolls, dumplings, latkes, salads and non-alcoholic versions of Pina Coladas and daiquiris. And many adults can't resist partaking in the entertainment planned for the children.
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