| Some families have gone away from disposable | | | | table centerpieces and Bemah baskets as well, |
| items to decorate their Bar and Bat Mitzvah | | | | especially in these days. Food pantries accept |
| events. Instead they choose to donate | | | | donations of long life shelf items such as canned |
| centerpiece items to charities and worthy causes. | | | | goods - fruits, vegetables, meats, milks, juices, |
| Gift baskets filled with donation items are another | | | | etc. Paper (facial, toilet tissue and towels) goods, |
| alternative for both Bemah (raised platform in a | | | | boxed cereals, rice, and noodles are also accepted. |
| Synagogue) baskets and centerpieces. | | | | Baby formula, diapers, baby food, and other infant |
| Our daughter was a Bat Mitzvah in 1993. I bought | | | | products are also a consideration. |
| some dolls and crocheted outfits for each one of | | | | You might contact the local food pantry or |
| them. Every one had a different colored dress | | | | nearby charitable agency to determine current |
| and hat. We used them as table centerpiece | | | | needs before you decide. My husband volunteered |
| decorations, as well as associated place cards for | | | | for several years at a food pantry and there are |
| seating our guests. We placed a small note on | | | | times when they run short of certain items, and |
| each table telling our plans to donate the | | | | other times when they are inundated. |
| centerpieces and asking that they be left in place. | | | | Other items we have used in either centerpieces |
| Shortly after the party we brought the dolls to a | | | | or Bemah baskets, or you might consider include |
| local children's hospital. The girls were delighted to | | | | stuffed animals, books, CDs and DVDs, crayons, |
| receive the dolls as presents. The joy of the | | | | coloring books, and other art items. Board games |
| party celebration ran over to the recipients and to | | | | and puzzles as well as electronic games, bats, balls |
| us as well. | | | | and baseball gloves, footballs and soccer balls, as |
| I do not suggest you spend two years making | | | | well as other sporting equipment can also be used. |
| doll outfits as I did. However, here are some | | | | Going "green" is a popular ecological movement |
| product ideas which can be donated to use on | | | | nowadays. To us it means doing things that are |
| your centerpieces. You can also consider gift | | | | of benefit to the earth and mankind. This |
| baskets in place of flowers to decorate the | | | | movement has been afloat in the Bar and Bat |
| Bemah at your service or as a centerpiece. | | | | Mitzvah scene for a while. Perhaps it will fit into |
| Food is always a popular consideration for your | | | | your party planning plans as well. |