Appropriate Bar Mitzvah Gift Amount

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.

Appropriate bar mitzvah gift amount.

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. For example if the boy is fond of a sport give him a gift certificate of a sports store. 36 is more common. If you are a close friend of the family it would be reasonable to give as much as 118.

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. Mitzvah chic recommends a minimum gift of 18 unless the child s financial situation requires otherwise. The number 18 translates to chai חי or life in jewish numerology. However you should at least give an amount that will cover your meal and not less than the usual amount that is given in such occasions which is usually around 150 300 ils 50 100 per person.

72 is also symbolic because it represents 4 life. For children looking to give a great bar mitzvah gift the thought obviously counts more than a significant financial contribution. 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. 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.

Generally for friends i assume you are not relatives because i assume you d have more experience 18 is a good minimum. 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 coming as a couple you need to at least double the amount of money you give. You re certainly not obligated to give in increments of 18 although it is more traditional.

Essentially you re blessing the young boy girl with a long successful life. For a very close friend the range is closer to 54 108. With this in mind the tradition of giving in multiples of 18 to represent chai still applies. You should give the bar mitzvah money in multiples of 18.

Checks are traditionally written out in 18 increments marking the hebrew letters for the word life chai which are numerically equivalent to 18. Often times guests will give the bar or bat mitzvah money in some increment of 18 18 36 54 72 and so on. If you d like you can give cash check or a gift card in a multiple of chai.