Repost II: Planning the Bris Celebration Party (Budgeting tips as well)

You may or may not have been to a bris before. People have brisses in every kind of venue, from a synagogue to a JCC, a country club party room to a restaurant, a relative's (or friend's) house to the home of the baby.

Sometimes I joke that "I won't do a bris in a church" (even though I'm being serious, but it sounds funny).

There are a number of other celebrations that come with the birth of a boy - such as a Kiddush on Shabbos in Shul, a Shalom Zachar, or a Brit Yitzchak. Those are mentioned here

Now we will focus solely on the The Bris Itself 

The link above (two lines up) goes into detail, but here are a few things you'll want to consider.

How Elaborate? It's a matter of taste, size of guest list, and - of course - budget. 

While more observant Jews know this, it is always good practice to follow Jewish tradition and practice, and serve Kosher food. People who don't follow this often invite me to eat, not realizing that I keep kosher and can't participate in that aspect of their celebration. But I can always have a cup of coffee!

**** Taste **** 

Much depends on how you view the bris and the attached celebration. This will determine what you want the celebration to look like both from the aesthetics of the food setup to the atmosphere you're creating in acknowledging family (husband acknowledging wife, wife acknowledging husband, new parents acknowledging the help of their parents, etc) and acknowledging God's gifts to you. Some make an emphasis on the significance of the Bris and of the Torah home they hope to raise their child to appreciate. Some go all out in the party. Some do things a little more modestly (not that all-out is bad, but there are definitely different strokes for different folks!).

 **** Size of Guest List **** 

However many people you expect to attend will determine the size and scope of what you're doing, as well as the venue. I've been mohel at brisses where the circumcision was in a shul (synagogue), and then everyone went to a restaurant or house for the celebratory meal. Either they simply wanted the restaurant to cater (as the restaurant has its own staff to do the cleanup anyway), they couldn't afford the rental fee at the synagogue, or they wanted to do it their way at home, unencumbered by the rules the synagogue has, understandably, about what food can be brought in. A synagogue will, rightly, demand that all food come from a kosher establishment, while in your home, you can have trusted friends and family bring things they've prepared. 

  ** A More Intimate Crowd ** 

Many people have just family and a handful of friends. I’ve presided at Brisses where just the baby’s parents and grandparents were present!

  ** In a synagogue - with drop-ins ** 

Some people open the bris to the community, and while most of their guests are family and friends, some people who happened to be at the synagogue for services might drop in to participate in the "Seudas Mitzvah." This is understood by both those making the bris and the guest, and is totally normal in some circles. 

In either case, knowing your exact guest list, or knowing there might be extra people will help determine how much food to prepare.

**** Budget **** 

Much depends on your own means and what kind of assistance you may have from family. Other than the food itself, additional expenses you might not be thinking about include

* Rental cost of the space. This may even apply in a synagogue 

* Caterer. Food plus wait staff (unless they're just preparing platters and you're setting everything up yourself, hopefully with the help of family)

* Additional people who may drop in (see "synagogue-with drop-ins" above)

* dairy versus a meat meal - may vary depending on time of day!

And don’t forget about the suggested honorarium, which should also be included in your budgeting!