Baby Boy Expenses

Posted: Thu, Apr 26 2012, 9:23 pm Post subject: Baby Boy Expenses

We are trying to figure out how much money we need to set aside for the simchas that will iy"h coincide with the birth of a boy.... We live in Northern NJ and will most likely have a smallish crowd

How much do the following cost on average:

Shalom Zachar

Vacht Nacht

Bris

Mohel

Thanks in advance Smile

Gold Member Joined: Oct 14 2010 Posts: 1230

I don't live in NJ, and don't know what your options are, but for shalom zachor, if it's in your home, the expenses are probably drinks (beer & soda) and paper goods. In your neighborhood do people bring over baked goods? If so then you don't necessarily need to budget for that--only extra stuff and maybe the arbis. Vach Nacht--I'm not sure how fancy you intend to go, but if you are just making goody bags figure out how many kids might come and how much you intend on putting in the good bags. Bris seuda, depends on location caterer, but $1000 might be a decent estimate--but then again we had a med-largeish crowd. Mohel, not sure what the going rate is (we had it done as by someone who does it as a chessed for kollel families)

Silver Member Joined: Dec 02 2009 Posts: 979

Shalom Zachar - hopefully your friends will help you out and make items to drop off. Many have liquor and beer. u need papergoods and drinks.

Vacht Nacht - not expensive at all - little pechalach with snacks - u can even give out some of the leftovers from the shalom zachor

Bris - depends if u do it in shul or in ur home - in shul the caterer will usually charge around $18-$25 per person - whether they show up or not - and if u give a low-ball number and many many more people show up they will charge you more. A shabbat and sunday bris will cost you more because more people will show up - more friends and families and people from the shul will stay.
I think - if u can pull it off - and if someone is helping you set up and clean up and prep - I think a bris in the home is so special and so intimate. and saves ALOT of $$$$

Mohel - around $500

b'shaah tovah to you!