What do you buy as a gift for a bat mitzvah?

Answer 1

There are two options when it comes to gifts for a bat mitzvah. The first is a gift of an object, in this case, it would be any item that is appropriate for a 12 years old girl. In many communities, the bat mitzvah girl will register at gift shops so you can check with her parents to see if that is an option.

The other option is a monetary gift. Within the Jewish community, the tradition is to give gifts of money in multiples of 18. This practice derives from the Hebrew word for 'life' having the numerical value of 18.

Answer 2

A traditional Bat Mitzvah gift is a check, with the amount of money as a multiple of 18. For example, you could give them $18, $36, $54, or so on, depending on how much you are willing to give and how well you know the person. The multiple-of-18 thing isn't necessary, it's just a tradition. You could give them any amount you want.

Answer 3

It depends on your age and your relation to the girl hosting this bat mitzvah. A cute gift might bejewelry--maybe a necklace with a star of david or something cute like that :) If you don't know her that well, a card with some money would suffice. $18 or any multiple of 18 for chai.

Answer 4

For boys, any gift suitable for a 13 years old's birthday is an appropriate gift.

For girls, any gift suitable for a 12 years old's birthday is an appropriate gift.

In most communities, girls, and some boys, will register at gift shops which makes picking something out easier. You can ask the mother of the child in question if they've registered anywhere.

If you wish to give a monetary gift, the tradition is to give multiples of 18 as this is the numerical value of the Hebrew word for life. If you're not a close friend of the child, $18 is a suitable gift.

These are simple guidelines, but there is also the classic, "What would you like for your bar/bat mitzvah?"

Please note that it is not appropriate to bring a gift of any sort to the ceremony itself as religiously observant Jews do not handle money or carry items outside of the house during Shabbat (The Sabbath). Most people send the gifts prior to the bat mitzvah or bring it to the celebratory party after if there is one.

Answer 5

It depends on how close you are to the bat mitzvah girl, and the family she comes from. Close relatives usually give specifically Jewish items in the case of a bar mitzvah, such as tefillin, kippot, tallis, kiddish cup and so on - in the case of some Reform, Liberal and Progressive families, those items traditionally only given to a boy upon becoming bar mitzvah may also be suitable for a girl when she becomes bat mitzvah since nowadays females too sometimes lay tefillin, wear kippot and so on.

If you are not related - or are related distantly - more general gifts are appropriate. Video Games, toys, CDs, clothes and so on are all commonly seen at both bar and bat mitzvah parties these days. Failing that, a gift of any amount of cash equal to a multiple of 18 (because 18 is the numerical equivalent of chai, the Hebrew word for life) will doubtless be welcomed by any 12 year-old girl who can then spend it on whatever she chooses.

If you're uncertain, ask the girl's parents what she would like.

Answer 6

Money is the most common gift at a bar mitzvah, usually in multiples of 18.

My daughter received the most beautiful and unique gift at her Bat Mitzvah a couple months ago! A guest of ours had a fine art portrait painter, paint my daughter. It was beautiful! The artists name is Laurel Stern Boeck. It was such a breath taking gift. We will forever cherish it! What a wonderful and brilliant gift idea opposed to the cliche gift card or cash!

Answer 7

commonly, money is given, usually in a multiple of 18 i.e. 36, 54, this is to represent the letter equalivent in Hebrew "chai" which means life