Appropriate Bar Mitzvah Gift Amount

You re certainly not obligated to give in increments of 18 although it is more traditional.

Appropriate bar mitzvah gift amount.

Generally for friends i assume you are not relatives because i assume you d have more experience 18 is a good minimum. Cash is undoubtedly convenient for all involved and can be used for something the bar bat mitzvah child wants right now or socked away into savings accounts. You should give the bar mitzvah money in multiples of 18. 72 is also symbolic because it represents 4 life.

Multiples of 18 cash gifts for bar mitzvahs are typically given in multiples of 18 such as 18 36 or 54. Gift cards are also handy make sure that they are really useful for the teenager or his parents. With this in mind the tradition of giving in multiples of 18 to represent chai still applies. Often times guests will give the bar or bat mitzvah money in some increment of 18 18 36 54 72 and so on.

For example if the boy is fond of a sport give him a gift certificate of a sports store. A child attending a friend s bar mitzvah will likely give anywhere from 2x 4x chai for a maximum of 72 and that s considered generous. For children looking to give a great bar mitzvah gift the thought obviously counts more than a significant financial contribution. Although no guidelines exist on the set amount you should give for a bar mitzvah being familiar with jewish customs can help you determine an appropriate gift.

If you are a close friend of the family it would be reasonable to give as much as 118. The number 18 translates to chai חי or life in jewish numerology. Mitzvah chic recommends a minimum gift of 18 unless the child s financial situation requires otherwise. 36 is more common.

If the whole family is invited to the bar mitzvah a child with parents in this case it is desirable to give an amount of about 150 200 or a gift. For example if you were going to give a present of 100 for that birthday you would want to give something in the neighborhood of 150 but in a multiple of eighteen so you could give either 144 18 times 8 or 162 18 times 9. If you d like you can give cash check or a gift card in a multiple of chai. Essentially you re blessing the young boy girl with a long successful life.

If you are coming as a couple you need to at least double the amount of money you give. Instead of giving 50 give 54. A general rule for bar or bat mitzvah gift giving is to take the amount you would normally spend on a birthday present and give 1 5 times that amount in a multiple of 18.