Americana Style
Take a cue from Christina Aguilera's "Candyman" video and salute your country with a vintage military-style theme. Start by playing big band swing music as people arrive. Fill the venue with American flags, vintage aircraft cutouts, war posters, and pictures. You can even have an old-fashioned soda shoppe stand serving pop, malts, and other vintage refreshments.
Old Hollywood Glam
Strike your best award-winning pose with an old Hollywood-themed Bar Mitzvah. Have all the guests arrive on a red carpet with "paparazzi" snapping pictures that appear inside on a jumbo screen. Create a mock "Hollywood" sign and adorn the space with glittery disco lighting and faux Oscars. Use strips of film to decorate the tables.
Big Easy
Masks, beads, and green, purple, and gold accents will set the scene for a colorful Mardi Gras-inspired Bar Mitzvah. Create a French Quarter-style backdrop with cardboard. Bring in lots of faux lanterns and fill the tables with masks, beads, and glitter galore -- the more, the better. Give back by adding a donation box to benefit the rebuilding of New Orleans.
Sail Away
Sail the seven seas with a whimsical nautical-inspired Bar Mitzvah. Go for a blue and white color scheme and decorate the walls with anchors, life preservers, oars, and rope. Drape the ceiling in white fabric to mimic sails and set the mood with blue ripple-effect lighting.
--Brianne DiSylvester