Centerpieces for a Bar and Bat Mitzvah are a MUST and typically add great beauty to the room.
They also, however, tend to be a great expense and, once the event is over, you are typically left with a lot of gorgeous flower arrangements; more than any one household can comfortably take advantage of.
I'd like to suggest an edible centerpiece - one that serves as the table decoration and as the dessert.
Cake Centerpieces: Beautifully decorated cakes make stunning centerpieces.
Work with your favorite bakery to come up with a specially decorated cake that compliments the event in terms of theme and/or color.
You can decide whether you want each table to have the exact same cake or have each one decorated slightly different to give a unique and wonderful twist to the look.
Cakes look extra special when elevated on a cake stand so ask friends and family to loan you theirs for the reception.
Don't worry that they don't match - that is all part of the charm.
As a thank you, let them take home any leftover cake on their stand - (but don't count on their being a lot left over).
You may also choose to wrap a large bow in a complimentary satin or organza ribbon around the stem of each cake pedestal to further enhance your edible centerpiece.
You can either let your guests serve themselves or have the servers cut the cakes.
This can be done at each table or you may have the servers move them to a 'dessert table' after the meal where they will then be cut and served.