A bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah ceremony is meant to be shared with friends and loved ones. As your son or daughter comes of age in the Jewish faith and you are planning the celebration for this rite of passage, you may want to consider sending save the date cards. These announcements can give your guests the advanced notice they need to clear their schedules and make travel arrangements. So, what do you need to know about bar mitzvah save the date cards? Here are the top dos and don'ts.

Do mail your bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah save the date cards at least four months to a year in advance. Simply put, people have busy schedules. They make plans well ahead of time, schedule vacations, business trips and family obligations. You want to make sure that your guests know about your child's bar mitzvah date before they make those other plans. It is also a courtesy to people from out of town, so that they have enough time arrange for discounted air fares and hotel rooms.

Do include the important phrases "save the date" and "invitation to follow" on your bar mitzvah save the date cards. Whether you're making your own cards or ordering them from a professional, it is important to emphasize that these are not invitations. Bar mitzvah save the date cards are a relatively new innovation, so it is possible that some of your recipients may not understand the purpose of the card, unless you are very clear.

Don't add RSVP to your save the date cards or enclose a reply card. This can really confuse people. You just want to alert them to date of your child's bat mitzvah or bar mitzvah ceremony and celebration, so they have time to plan ahead. A response is not necessary.

Do include your child's bar mitzvah website address to your save the date cards, if he or she has one. You can update the website with travel and hotel information, as well as the plans you are making for this big event. If you don't have a website, you can always print a list of hotels in your area, with their 800 numbers, and slip it into the envelopes for your out of town guests.

Don't forget to send a formal invitation to every last person who received one of your bar mitzvah save the date cards. You don't need to send a save the date card to everyone you're inviting. But if you send one, you must follow it up with an official invitation. If you're not sure someone will make it to the final guest list, don't send them a save the date card.

Do consider photo bar mitzvah save the date cards. The latest trend is to include a photo of your child on the card. You might even want to use more than one photo of your son or daughter at different ages. This is a fun way to give your guests a glimpse into how your child has grown!

Do send bat mitzvah or bar mitzvah save the date cards that will stand out. Shop around until you find a design that reflects your child's personality. Whether you go with your own handmade creation, a store-bought card or professionally custom made postcards, magnets or photo cards, the object is to grab your potential guest's attention.

In this hectic society, it is a nice gesture to alert your friends and loved ones to this upcoming event. It shows consideration of their busy lifestyles and allows them to plan ahead. As a result, those who receive your bar mitzvah save the date cards will be likely to reach for their calendar and save that special date.