Bar and Bat Mitzvah Gift Ideas

9 Bar and Bat Mitzvah Gift Ideas

Getting invited to a bar or a bat mitzvah is a big deal! After the excitement of this special invitation, you’ll have to figure out your bar and bat mitzvah gift. Sometimes they might be a friend you know really well, or they might be a classmate you don’t know personally. Either way getting a meaningful gift is a great way to celebrate this tradition and pass along something special to your guest. Here are some bar and bat mitzvah ideas on what to give on this very special day.

Cash: Everyone loves to receive cash and getting money on a bar or a bat mitzvah is no different. If you don’t know the host that well, start in the $20-$40 range; however, close family members might give anywhere between $150-$200. You can also gift in increments of $18, which reflects to “chai” in Jewish tradition. Add the cash in a card with a meaningful message for the perfect gift
Gift cards: Another option is to give gift cards. This can be to their favorite store, restaurant, or to an experience you know they’ll love. This can also start in $18 increments or you can gift them a card in a rounded number.
Donation to a charitable cause: Another way to give a monetary value is to donate to a Jewish cause in their name. This can be something that they support or are interested in. You can also tell them that you will donate a certain amount in their name if they pick a charitable cause that is important to them. Place the donation in a traditional tzedakah box for a complete meaningful gift.
Jewelry: A special piece of jewelry is a special gift for any bar or a bat mitzvah. This can be a ring, charm, pendant, necklace or bracelet with Jewish symbols such as the tree or life or the Star of David. Symbolic jewerly is also a great way for the host to always remember their special day.
Framed photo: Give the host a special framed photo of an experience or moment from the past. These are especially fun from family members where you can print out a collection of memories/photos into an album. Other ideas include using a service to add their picture to a mug, t-shirt, notebook, and more.
Judaica gifts: Give a traditional Judaica gift to the host to symbolize the significance of this special day. This can include torah art, shabbat candlesticks, a tallit, Star of David, mezuzah, or a menorah, to name a few options. If you are going to give a religious gift, check with the host’s parents as they might have some of these items, and/or be getting them from their bar or a bat mitzvah.
Books: Another great option, gifting a book can range from humor books to cookbooks to Jewish fiction as well as Jewish history books and Jewish cookbooks. Some ideas include: Coming of Age: 13 B’nai Mitzvah Stories by Jonathan Rosen, The Jewish Book of Why, and The Mitzvah of Challah by Esther Rivka Toledano.
Technology: Most teens love technology so this can be a safe choice to gift your host. Depending on how well you know them, this can be a big present like an Apple watch to new headphones or their favorite video game or mini gaming console.
Art: Give the host a special piece of art such as torah art. This can be a custom piece of art where you add their name and date to the piece to an traditional piece of art to symbolize the religious significance of this special day.