Post-service Bat Mitzvah party keeps focus on family

Lindsay Carson got the red carpet treatment, complete with paparazzi, for her entrance to her party. Photo by Jeanne andBrian Holmquist When Lori and Ryan Carson began to plan their daughter Lindsay’s Bat Mitzvah, they wanted to keep the focus on the family.

“We have a lot of older relatives who were driving in from places like Sarasota and Sun City,” said Lori. “It’s hard for them to drive at night, so an afternoon reception was the perfect solution.”

Held Oct. 30 at Temple Ahavat Shalom in Palm Harbor, Lindsay’s Bat Mitzvah reception started immediately after the morning service. The four-hour party took place in the temple’s social hall.

The Bat Mitzvah mom said she strived to make Lindsay’s afternoon party as similar to the more popular evening parties as possible.

The Hollywood-themed party began with a red carpet entrance for the Bat Mitzvah girl, dressed in a blue, 1920s style party dress.

Hors d’oeuvres were served during the candle lighting ceremony and the Italian-style buffet lunch featured lasagna for the kids and chicken marsala for the adults. In keeping with the theme, guests who won the Hollywood trivia games received mini-Oscar statues to keep. A DJ played Lindsay’s favorite music and a caricature artist drew all of the guests, young and old.

“I think the only things that we didn’t have at Lindsay’s party were the glow sticks that everyone else has, because it was really light outside and in the banquet hall,” said mom Lori. “The kids didn’t seem to mind, though, and everyone had a blast.”

“It was nice having the party in the afternoon because it felt like the day flowed smoother,” said Lori. “We didn’t have to plan any extra events and our guests didn’t have to keep themselves occupied between the service and evening.”

Lindsay agrees. “I really liked having the afternoon party because I got to go home and relax afterward. “My friends loved my party. They had fun and liked the dancing,” she said. “I wouldn’t have changed a thing.”

The Carsons had a family brunch the following day to wrap up the festivities.