ZERO
continued a group working to coordinate
and keep them away.”
No one has more fun in that
case than the party planner.

“I’m not the one who has to
keep the surprise,” Brownstein
said. “That makes it more fun
for me watching.”
But as men and women get
up there in years the tone for
the party may change.

“We did a 90th birthday
once and it was lovely,” Zaslow
said. “There was a big board
with stars and everyone wished
upon a star and put up a star for
her. She had a small group of
maybe 10 friends. It’s nice to be
able to celebrate at that age. But
I’ve never done one for some-
one who’s 100. A lot of families
take it upon themselves then.

“It depends on the person’s
state of mind and ability to
get around.”
However, Brownstein, who’s
been in the business 41 years,
Top: Billy's "fortunate 50"
birthday at a Chinese restaurant.

Right: A golf-themed cake.

PHOTOS PROVIDED
has experienced that.

“I did a couple of 100-year-old birthdays and both were
in retirement homes,” Brownstein said. “Besides the fam-
ily, we invited all the people in the home and had Dixie
cups and lollipops that made it easy for them. It was very
emotional to see all those people together and see how im-
portant it was.”
But you don’t have to be turning the century mark for
a birthday to be
emotional. And you
don’t have to rent
out an expensive
venue and spend a
fortune, either.

“It’s up to each
individual,” Zaslow
said. “If it’s a special
birthday and peo-
ple really want to
celebrate and have
the means, then the
sky’s the limit. But
most come with a
budget in mind and
try to stick to that.

I’ve done some very
nice at-home par-
ties — an intimate
dinner for 15 to 20
couples, where they
brought in a caterer
and music. I’ve done
Let us create the completely worry-free and
fabulous wedding you’ve dreamed of — from complete
wedding planning or just day of coordination services.

Sandra Steinfield, Owner
215.285.7892 F philadelphiapartyplanners.com
24 OCTOBER 26, 2017
SIMCHAS JEWISHEXPONENT.COM




a lot of retro parties, where we had retro candy bars.

“People want to be creative, so we usually start planning four to
six months in advance.”
Preparation and the ability to adapt on the fl y is key, ac-
cording to Steinfeld, which is where her legal expertise
comes in handy.

“It’s all about planning,” she said. “Don’t wing it be-
cause it never comes out all right. So have contingen-
cy plans. If anybody believes they can pull off an event
without one glitch happening
they’re dreaming. Being a
lawyer I’m trained in an-
alytical thinking.

“I map out what
could go wrong. I re-
view all the vendor
contracts. I need
to know what is
this person get-
ting and what
are they paying
for? Th en I put
a whole schedule
together.” While
party planners may put
together weddings
and Bar and Bat Mitz-
vahs by the score, and even
throw together an occasional
divorce party, those mile-
Mary Beth Bogan
stone birthdays hit home
Russo's 50th
the most.

birthday party
“I lost my mother
PHOTOS PROVIDED
when I was very young
and I miss her,” Zaslow said. “It really gives me a
very warm feeling to see people who are alive and
still able to celebrate.” ●
“IF ANYBODY
BELIEVES THEY
CAN PULL OFF AN
EVENT WITHOUT
ONE GLITCH HAP-
PENING THEY’RE
DREAMING.” jmarks@jewishexponent.com; 215-832-0729
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25