How to Write an Invitation for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah

When you begin planning your child's bar or bat mitzvah celebration, think about invitations well in advance. Whether you decide to hire a printer or create your own invitations, there are a few simple steps you will need to follow before the invitations are ready to mail.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Calligraphy Inks
• Invitations
• Calligraphy Pens

1. Finalize the dates and times of the ceremony and celebration. Discuss this with your rabbi or the administrator of your congregation well in advance, since some dates may not be available or appropriate for a bar or bat mitzvah.
2. Consider how many people you plan to invite. Just family and congregation members? Friends from your child's school? Out-of-town guests? Make the list and go through it a number of times to be sure no one has been left out, and remember to consult your child.
3. Decide where the post-ceremony celebration will be held. Does the synagogue or Jewish community center have a hall that can be booked for these locations, or will you reserve a banquet room at a local hotel or conference center? You will need to finalize all this information before creating your invitations.
4. Decide whether you'll purchase custom printed invitations, or make the invitations yourself by hand or computer.
5. Visit a few printers to see samples and explore your options, if you decide on custom printed invitations. You will need to order invitations well in advance, since they'll take a few weeks. If you plan to include Hebrew lettering on the invitations, make sure the printer or calligrapher you choose is able to do this for you.
6. Include all the pertinent information: child's name, the names of the parents, R.S.V.P. contact information, and the specific dates, times and locations. Include a map if necessary.
7. Proofread a number of times before printing the invitations, or before authorizing the printer to do so. If possible, have a few people check over the text for errors or omissions. If Hebrew lettering will be included on the invitations, find a proofreader who knows the language well.
8. Include a stamped, addressed envelope with each invitation for the R.S.V.P. card, if necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Check each invitation against your master list before sealing, stamping, and sending, just to be sure no one has been left out.

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