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What's a good bar mitzvah gift?
My nephew is becoming bar mitzvah at the end of the month. He lives in a fairly well off community and will probably be deluged with gifts. We are NOT particularly well off, but I would like to get him something meaningful to commemorate the day. We are also not Jewish, so I'm fairly unfamiliar with traditions and expectations for gifts.
Any guidance would be appreciated.
Any guidance or suggestions would be appreciated.
Any guidance would be appreciated.
Any guidance or suggestions would be appreciated.
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Not being Jewish, I ran into this problem when my daughter was invited to a bat mitzvah for a friend. A friend of mine, who is very observant, said that a pen set was a traditional gift. So that is what we got the young girl. My daughter, an aspiring artist, painted a picture for her friend that had a specific meaning for the two of them and we gave the painting and the pen set.
If you could, I would try to include something that had some meaning for the two of you.
I have attached a link from a Judaism 101 blog about the bar/bat mitzvah in general, there is a bit about gift giving on the bottom.
If you could, I would try to include something that had some meaning for the two of you.
I have attached a link from a Judaism 101 blog about the bar/bat mitzvah in general, there is a bit about gift giving on the bottom.
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How about a $25 gift certificate to a kosher restaurant?
Here is what I've found.
First things first: The Non-Jewish Guide to Bar and Bat Mitzvahs
http://www.parentspress.com/ffbarmitzvah.html
There are many sites offering gift ideas:
http://www.traditionsjewishgifts.com/barbatmitzvahstore.html
http://www.mostoriginal.com/Judaica/Bar-Mitzvah-Gifts/sort/3a/page/2/
First things first: The Non-Jewish Guide to Bar and Bat Mitzvahs
http://www.parentspress.com/ffbarmitzvah.html
There are many sites offering gift ideas:
http://www.traditionsjewishgifts.com/barbatmitzvahstore.html
http://www.mostoriginal.com/Judaica/Bar-Mitzvah-Gifts/sort/3a/page/2/
Personalization is always the key to gift giving. Check out these links - I think you may find something he'll like getting and you'll like giving.
http://www.thingsremembered.com/ > "find gifts by occasion" - I like the album because you could personalize it with the date of the party and his name - and then he can put photos of the party in it. I also liked the urban dog tags.
http://www.Gifts.com has great suggestions for bar mitzvahs and teens.
Another idea... since he's young and the market is down right now - it may be a good time to buy him a share of stock. CocaCola is only $49, Krispy Kreme is $42.
http://www.thingsremembered.com/ > "find gifts by occasion" - I like the album because you could personalize it with the date of the party and his name - and then he can put photos of the party in it. I also liked the urban dog tags.
http://www.Gifts.com has great suggestions for bar mitzvahs and teens.
Another idea... since he's young and the market is down right now - it may be a good time to buy him a share of stock. CocaCola is only $49, Krispy Kreme is $42.
source(s):
www.thingsremembered.com
www.gifts.com
www.thingsremembered.com
www.gifts.com
The traditional Bar Mitzvah gift is money, at least at any BM i've been at (and at mine.)
I know a bit about this as both someone that had a Bar Mitzvah (longer ago than I care to admit) and has had to buy gifts for others many times a year since then.
Gifts vary over time. The running joke is "Today I am a fountain pen" because the average Bar Mitzvah boy would get several pens. I received a bunch myself. Money or savings bonds are always popular. But, if you are less affluent than the kid's family it might not be the most comfortable choice. My advice to you is to find out what his interests are. If he takes drum lessons, get him a drum accessory he wants. If he likes music or always has his iPod in hand an iTunes giftcard would work. Planting trees in his name or carbon credits if he is a budding environmental activist.
The point is that there is no hard and fast rule here. The main idea is that you want to give him something that says you are proud of him for reaching this milestone in his life. But you also want to give him something that a 13yr old boy will notice or find meaningful. The opposite of "Oh, um, thanks for the socks aunt so and so."
Gifts vary over time. The running joke is "Today I am a fountain pen" because the average Bar Mitzvah boy would get several pens. I received a bunch myself. Money or savings bonds are always popular. But, if you are less affluent than the kid's family it might not be the most comfortable choice. My advice to you is to find out what his interests are. If he takes drum lessons, get him a drum accessory he wants. If he likes music or always has his iPod in hand an iTunes giftcard would work. Planting trees in his name or carbon credits if he is a budding environmental activist.
The point is that there is no hard and fast rule here. The main idea is that you want to give him something that says you are proud of him for reaching this milestone in his life. But you also want to give him something that a 13yr old boy will notice or find meaningful. The opposite of "Oh, um, thanks for the socks aunt so and so."
I am Jewish and I know for a fact that the proper gift is either money or gold jewelry. I do agree with Lindsey's reply the most. No pens or restaurant gift certificates though.
Money. Money money money money money money money money money. Money.
Or, cash.
Or, cash.
A great source for jewish gifts: Kippah, Mezuzah, Shofar, Star of David Pendant, Hamsa Charm.
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