What to Gift for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah Ceremony (2024)

FAQs

What is an appropriate gift for a bar mitzvah? ›

Traditional Bar Mitzvah gifts often include a ritually significant amount of money, educational books, Jewish ritual items or a cookbook that celebrates Jewish cooking. You can also take a more personalized slant by buying the teen something to foster their hobbies and passions.

For a teen attending a peer's bar or bat mitzvah, $36, $54, or $72 are all typical bar mitzvah gift amounts. Exactly how much a young person decides to give will generally reflect their financial means and how close they are to the guest of honor. Even $18, or a small non-cash gift, is acceptable from a young guest.

It is customary for invited guests to give a gift to the bar/bat mitzvah celebrant. Presents are best delivered at the party or reception, rather than at the synagogue service. Most parties feature a gift table or other place designated for gifts.

While many guests close to the celebrating family will give a variety of physical presents, like jewelry or toys, for the average B Mitzvah guest, cash or a check is an appropriate gift. If you're not comfortable giving cash, a gift card to a store or favorite restaurant can also be a great option.

$72 is also symbolic because it represents 4 Life.

But on average, most families will give in the range of $108-$180, and, for close friends, around $252.

While there's no traditional color for bar mitzvah dresses, it's common to wear clothing with a neutral or dark color palette. In some ultra-Orthodox communities, women are discouraged from wearing bright shades. You should fit in nicely if you choose a dress that's navy blue, black, burgundy, ivory, or brown.

Cash presents are traditional, although there is no need for them to be monetary. Non-monetary gifts may be just as valuable and sensible, enabling the giver to create a personalized Bar Mitzvah celebration.

Gifts are expected at bar and bat mitzvahs. The most common is giving money toward college or studies abroad in Israel. Many families end up donating a portion of cash to a charity. This custom is known as "tzedekah." You may also choose to make a direct donation to a charity in honor of the bar or bat mitzvah.

Some might view it as not being modest enough to wear red to a Bar Mitzvah. Neon and very bright colors can sometimes minimize the sacredness of the event, while denim can be considered as too casual. Camouflage is considered to be inappropriate, as it signifies "disguise," which is disapproved of.

Why do you give 18 dollars for a Bar Mitzvah? ›

Chet is equivalent to 8 and yud is equivalent to 10. So "chai", chet and yud together, equals 18. Giving money in multiples of $18 is symbolic of giving "chai" or life. There are many people who give money in multiples of $18 as presents to someone celebrating a birth, a bar or bat mitzvah or a wedding.

In my experience, gifts are typically given at the Bar or Bat Mitzvah party, versus being brought to the Temple. If you are only invited to the service or there isn't a party, mailing the gift or envelope with a check is completely appropriate.

Men attending Bar or Bat Mitzvahs often wear suits and ties, while women generally wear formal dresses. It is acceptable in most cases to simply wear slacks and a dress shirt for members of either sex.

When you've collected all of the bar mitzvah money gifts, you can transfer the funds directly to your child's bank account. They can simply place the cash in a card or envelope and deliver it to the recipient the day of the bar mitzvah, or use your preferred Pool Link to send the cash gift with zero hassle directly!

A gift in the order of something like triple 'chai' or $54 would be a neat idea to give from teenager to teenager at the bar mitzvah. If your whole family is going, you should be giving in the nature of about $75 to $100 a person (half for your kids).

In my experience, gifts are typically given at the Bar or Bat Mitzvah party, versus being brought to the Temple. If you are only invited to the service or there isn't a party, mailing the gift or envelope with a check is completely appropriate.

Gifts are expected at bar and bat mitzvahs. The most common is giving money toward college or studies abroad in Israel. Many families end up donating a portion of cash to a charity. This custom is known as "tzedekah." You may also choose to make a direct donation to a charity in honor of the bar or bat mitzvah.

Since Bar and Bat mitzvahs are a sacred service, you should dress appropriately. For men, that means a very smart suit with tie and freshly shined shoes is the perfect attire for the service. A solid color dress or pantsuit is appropriate for female guests.