TL:DR; If you're attending a bar or bat mitzvah party, $36-$360 per guest is a good gift amount. Giving in multiples of 18 expresses good wishes in the Jewish tradition. Whatever you choose to give will be appreciated by the celebrating family.
A Bar / Bat Mitzvah is a coming of age ceremony for a jewish children.
It is an opportunity to celebrate the Jewish faith.
What is an appropriate cash gift for a Bar Mitzvah?
Should you give cash or check? How about an investment for the kid?
Read on to find answers to these questions and more.
Up Ahead:
- Bar Mitzvah Gift Etiquette and Guidelines
- Average Bar Mitzvah Cash Gift
- How Much to Give for a Bar Mitzvah
- Giving Cash Gifts in Multiples of 18
- Cash vs Check for Bar Mitzvah Gift
Bat & Bar Mitzvah Gift Etiquette and Guidelines
A Bar Mitzvah is a Jewish coming-of-age ceremony that celebrates a boy’s 13th birthday.
Similarly, a Bat Mitzvah celebrates a girl’s 12th birthday, marking her commitment to Jewish adulthood, values, and beliefs.
A Ceremony and a Party
Traditionally, families have a ceremony at a synagogue and throw a party for the Jewish boy or girl.
Some jewish families choose to celebrate bat mitzvahs without a synagogue ceremony.
The celebration is for a transition from childhood to adulthood in Judaism.
A Bar Mitzvah is a Jewish coming-of-age ceremony that celebrates a boy’s 13th birthday.
At the synagogue ceremony, the Bar Mitzvah boy accepts the responsibility for keeping the Jewish commandments.
The party is usually more festive than the ceremony and is held at a house or venue.
The party often features food and dancing with family & friends, but can also be more casual.
Attending only the Bar Mitzvah party is perfectly acceptable, especially if you are not very familiar with the family.
Gift Etiquette
Gifts are often given to the Bar or Bat Mitzvah celebrant at either the ceremony or party, but they are not required.
Instead of giving cash or a check, consider giving Bar Mitzvah cash gifts with Greatest Gift’s financial gifting platform.
The gifts are meant to set the child up for adulthood.
Bat & Bar Mitzvah Gift Ideas
Traditional gifts include money, kid-friendly stocks, jewelry with Jewish symbols, savings bonds, investments, and other financial gifts.
Many people choose to give Israel Bonds as a bar mitzvah gift, securities issued by the State of Israel.
Buying stocks for teens is a great way to introduce them to engage them in their financial future.
Bar Mitzvahs are often celebrated as a way to build generational wealth, setting a young teen up for a successful financial future.
Greatest Gift's financial gifting platform makes investing in a young one's financial future easy and fun.
Average Bat / Bar Mitzvah Cash Gift
Knowing what the right amount to give is tricky.
When giving gifts, the goal is to show the gift receiver that you care.
The average Bar Mitzvah cash gift typically ranges from $36 to $360.
The average Bar Mitzvah cash gift typically ranges from $36 to $360.
The range gives you a broad spectrum to consider based on your relationship with the boy or girl and your own budget.
Average for Close Family
If you’re a close family member, like a grandparent, aunt, or uncle, you might consider giving a bit more.
A family will lean towards the higher end of the spectrum, maybe around $180 to $540.
These gifts are a way of showing your special bond with the boy or girl and supporting his future endeavors.
Average for Close Friends
What about close friends of the family?
Well, they often go for something in the middle to higher range, like $108 to $360.
It shows a deeper connection and a desire to genuinely celebrate this milestone.
Remember, it's all about what feels right for you.
Average for Kids
When it comes to kids attending a friend’s bar mitzvah, the gift-giving approach is understandably different.
Younger guests, such as class mates or friends of the bar mitzvah boy or bat mitzvah girl, are not expected to give as much as adults.
A modest gift, often in the range of $36 to $108, is considered thoughtful and appropriate.
This allows young guests to participate in the tradition of gift-giving without the pressure of high amounts.
List of Averages
| Relationship to Bar Mitzvah Boy | Typical Gift Amount Range |
|---|---|
| Close Family Members (Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles) | $180 - $540 |
| Close Friends of the Family | $108 - $360 |
| Acquaintances or Distant Relatives | $36 - $180 |
| Kids/Young Guests (Schoolmates, Friends) | $36 - $108 |
How Much Should I Give for a Bar or Bat Mitzvah?
Bar Mitzvahs and Bat Mitzvahs are one of the most important birthdays in a Jewish child's life.
With this context in mind, consider what you would typically spend on a regular birthday, and double that.
Your budget and financial situation may also dictate how much you can give.
Remember, any amount will be appreciated and show how much you care.
Closeness to the Boy or Girl
If you have a close relationship with the family, consider going above the average range of $36 to $360.
If you don’t know the boy well enough to give him an extra generous gift, stick with the mid-range.
Any amount will be appreciated and show how much you care.
Giving without Attending the Event
If you are not attending the party then a smaller gift would be appropriate, but not required.
If you can't attend the event and still want to send a gift, check out Greatest Gift’s financial gifting platform.
Going as a Family
When attending as a family, the gift can be a combined contribution from all family members.
It's common for families to give a more substantial amount, reflecting their collective best wishes.
For instance, a family of five might choose to give a gift ranging from $180 to $540.
The gift amount often depends on their relationship to the family and their financial ability.
Peers
Peers of the young man are not expected to give as much as family members, like grandparents, aunts, and uncles.
They can give a gift on the lower end of the average range, somewhere above what they would spend on a regular birthday.
Giving Cash Gifts in Multiples of 18
Many Bat / Bar Mitzvah cash gifts are given as multiples of 18.
For example, popular gift amounts are $36, $54, $90, $108, $180, $360 and $540.
Multiples of 18 in Jewish Culture
The number 18 is an important number in Jewish culture.
In Hebrew, each letter has an equivalent numerical value.
The Hebrew word for life, Chai (pronounced high), is spelled out of two letters whose numbers add up to 18.
Therefore, multiples of 18 are considered lucky numbers in Judaism. Gift amounts and donations are often given as money in multiples of 18.
For example, instead of giving $50, many Jewish people opt to give $54.
$54 is a multiple of 18, symbolizing good fortune.
When choosing an amount to give, think of what you are looking to give, then find the nearest multiple of 18.
Multiples of 18 are considered lucky numbers in Judaism and are often used as gift amounts and donations.
If you were looking to give $100, consider giving $90 or $108 instead to express good wishes.
Giving gifts that are multiples of 18 will help you express your good wishes to the boy.
Gifts in Multiples of 18
| Traditional Round Amount | Closest Multiple of 18 |
|---|---|
| $20 | $18 |
| $40 | $36 |
| $50 | $54 |
| $75 | $72 |
| $90 | $90 (itself a multiple of 18) |
| $100 | $108 |
| $150 | $144 or $162 |
| $200 | $198 or $216 |
| $250 | $252 |
| $300 | $306 |
| $350 | $360 |
| $450 | $450 (itself a multiple of 18) |
| $500 | $504 |
| $550 | $540 |
Cash vs Check
So, you know how much to give.
But HOW will you give your gift?
When deciding how to give your gift, you can choose between cash and checks.
Cash is easy to give and always welcomed, but it can be quickly spent on everyday items.
If you want your gift to contribute to long-term goals like college savings, cash might not be the best option.
Parents have to deposit cash at a bank before transferring it to the child's savings.
Checks are another option, but be careful not to make mistakes when writing them.
It's best to make checks payable to one of the parents. They can deposit it and later transfer the funds to accounts like the child's 529 plan or UTMA account.
For a more modern approach, consider using Greatest Gift’s financial gifting platform.
It's designed for parents, kids, and their families and friends.
This platform allows you to invest in a child's future in a personal way.
Additional Questions
What is the typical gift for a bar mitzvah?
A typical gift for a Bar Mitzvah can range from monetary gifts to more personal items.
Cash, checks, and contributions to savings plans like Greatest Gift are common.
Some also give jewelry with Jewish symbols, like a Star of David necklace.
The key is to choose something meaningful that celebrates the boy's journey into adulthood.
What is an appropriate cash gift for a bar mitzvah?
The appropriate cash gift for a Bar Mitzvah usually ranges from $36 to $360.
This range depends on how close you are to the family.
If you're a close relative or friend, you might opt for a higher amount.
Whatever you give, it's a gesture of good will and support for the boy's future.
Why do you give bar mitzvah gifts in multiples of 18 dollars?
In Jewish culture, the number 18 holds special significance. It corresponds to the Hebrew word 'Chai', which means 'life'.
Giving in multiples of 18 is symbolic of giving 'life' or good luck.
So, a gift of $18, $36, $54, and so on, carries a deeper meaning of blessing and well-wishing.
How much money do you give at a bar mitzvah?
How much to give at a Bar Mitzvah can vary. For close family and friends, $180 to $360 is common.
For acquaintances, $36 to $108 is typical.
Young guests might give $18 to $72.
Ultimately, it's about your connection to the boy and your budget.
The thought behind the gift is what counts the most.
Summary
Any amount given will show how much you care. It's the thought that counts.
Plus, you can't really go wrong when you give a gift to celebrate this milestone event.
Enjoy the celebrations and happy gifting!
