baT Mitvahs

you can try the website gatheringguide.com for a place to have your event in a area close to you. They have a large selection. Perfect thank you favor can be a bookmark or tins with candy inside.

http://bellamevents.theaspenshops.com/product/shalom-silv...

http://bellamevents.theaspenshops.com/product/unexpected-...

You really DO NOT need to plan that far in advance. My daughter's date is in 2010 and all I have planned is the location (no money down). Good luck! Everyone else has given you good advice though.

Not sure of a place to have it but if you are looking for any type of Kosher sweets, cakes, candies, truffles, petit fours etc. then I would strongly recommend Zelda's Sweet Shoppe in Skokie. They are located on main street. Awesome products plus they can do centerpieces and other table decorations. Pretty much anything that you want. Even if it does not have to be Kosher I would still recommend it.

C.:

I too live on the north shore and just completed my daughter's Bat Mitzvah. She has two older brothers whose formate she followed.

There are many issues to be addressed in this process. First, is your how much emphasis do you want to place on the party? Do you wish to have a luncheon or a dinner event? Are you able to do some of the work yourself or are you going to hire everything out? Are you going to do simple give away gifts (t-shirts/bags) or are the going to be expensive (Croc's/ designer purses?

We decided on simple and elegant with a luncheon at the Northbrook Hilton Alguerer's They are wonderful and very helpful. The photographer and videographer were great and reasonable - Paul Swanson ###-###-####. We used the group entertainment Charizma ###-###-#### and they were great. My son, Nathan, started his own Video Montage business and did his sister's montage along with several other families. He can be reached at ###-###-####.

If you would like to discuss other considerations, please contact me. It is a wonderful time in your life and there is a great deal of stress. The more you complete early, the easier is your life.

A.

Leading an exciting life showing families how to create wealth and improve their health.

Treat it as you would a wedding celebration. Booking in advance is a good idea since there are more girls being mitvah'ed then getting married at the same time. Figure out where you want to host the party after the service. A hotel banquet hall or your home if it's big enough.

You will need a DJ or a band, Photographer, craterer (if the hotel/banquet hall does not provide)

How about the North shore Hotel on Skokie Blvd. or the Purple hotel in Lincolnwood for a big reception. or a smaller gathering you can have it at the Maggianos in Old Orchard. (I grew up in Skokie and it's been a while, so the names of places escape me)

Making or hiring someone to do party favors for the kids. What kind of theme does your daughter want? If there's a theme to the party such as a celebrity or type of music she likes then you can work from there.

For instance, I know of a Mitvah that was Themed "U2" (the mega Rock Band) everything was U2. The colors, the party favors and they even hired a U2 tribute band to play for the night. The room was tranformed into a concert hall. The lighting, the walls, floors. The kids felt like they were at a U2 concert.

These days Mitvahs are just as big as Wedding Receptions. Sometimes Mitvahs host up to 200 guests.

Let me know if I could be of anymore help. If you are going in the direction of a live band to play, Let me know, I work for a Talent agent and we have access to hundreds of bands in the Chicago area. You can message me through this site and I'd be more than happy to help you out.

Good luck and let us know how it all turns out. I know you have plenty of time, but starting now is smart.

I.

On the North Shore there are restaurants, community houses and park district facilities you can rent. There are many so I recommend you google Village of Evanston, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Lake Bluff. If you consider North Surburbs, which include suburbs west of those I just listed, you really open up the options. Most all Lettuce Entertain you restaurants have party rooms.
The Glen Club, in The GLen (Glenview) is very nice and we have been to events there. They rent to the Public.
If you are willing to drive all the way to Evanston, the Evanston Country Club is actually a public facility and available for rent. I think the Highland Park CC is also public and available for rent. Good luck!

What ever you do, do not use BIZAAR ENTERTAINMENT. The owner is psycho, and will be totally nasty.

Good luck.

Michaels in Highland Park is always fun, and so is North Beach downtown. (indoor vollyball and bowling.)