13 Special Bar Mitzvah Gifts to Celebrate the Special Moment
The bar mitzvah is a huge moment in any Jewish boy’s life. This rite of passage not only marks turning 13, but it also signifies the next chapter in his spiritual journey. If you’re looking for bar mitzvah gift ideas to honor this special occasion, you’re in the right place. Discover 13 bar mitzvah gifts for a special young man who is embarking on this once-in-a-lifetime event.
Choosing a Bar Mitzvah Gift
You’ve received a bar mitzvah invitation and you’re excited to honor the birthday boy. The best way to choose a gift is to think about the recipient and his personality. You could choose a traditional Jewish gift like a tallit or tree of life pendant, assuming he wears jewelry. Or you could opt for something inspired by his hobbies and interests — like a new accessory for a music instrument or a gift card to his favorite store.
Giving a gift to the bar mitzvah boy is all about celebrating this big moment, so go with your heart and approach gift giving from this point of view. If you’re not sure or want some reassurance, check in with the birthday boy’s parents or the event hosts. They’ll be able to give you some extra insight or share if there’s a gift registry in place. You can also use the bar mitzvah invitation design to give you a clue as to the birthday boy’s style.
13 Bar Mitzvah Gifts for Someone Special
Design: Signature Greenvelope
From traditional keepsakes to gift cards and money, there are plenty of thoughtful bar mitzvah gifts. Here are some of our favorite bar mitzvah gift ideas to pair with a fun birthday card.
1. Cash Gift or Check
As with any birthday celebration, you can’t go wrong with giving a cash gift or check. With bar mitzvahs, it’s traditional to give money in multiples of $18 as this is a symbol of “chai,” the Hebrew letters for the word “life.” How much you give is up to you and your budget, so figure out what works best for your situation. You could give a small cash gift alongside a handwritten good luck note and thoughtful gift like a mezuzah or  tzedakah box. Or perhaps you’d prefer to write a check that can go into the birthday boy’s savings account.
2. Judaica
If you want to stick with a classic bar mitzvah gift, Judaica is a great option. Judaica are items and keepsakes that relate to Judaism, so you’re giving a gift that will not only be thoughtful but also practical and well-used. This is a great gifting idea if you’re a close relative to the bar mitzvah boy, or if they’ve hinted to you about a particular item. Popular Judaica gifts include the hanukkah menorah, mezuzah, shofar, tzedakah box, stainless steel kiddush cup, and Shabbat candlesticks.
3. Shema Bracelet
Jewish jewelry makes a wonderful bar mitzvah gift idea, provided the recipient wears jewelry. One particularly special piece could be a bracelet with the Shema Israel prayer on it. Look for a design in sterling silver or leather, in a style that the birthday boy would appreciate.
4. Torah Art Print
Give a gift that mixes traditional with contemporary with a Torah-inspired wall art print. This works well as not only a thoughtful reminder of their faith but also as a beautiful piece of art they can display on their wall and enjoy in the years to come.
5. Jewish Literature
If the bar mitzvah boy loves to read, now is a great opportunity to introduce him to Jewish young adult literature. Browse through some popular Jewish books for teenagers, choose one (or several), and give it as a thoughtful bar mitzvah gift.
6. Gift Card
Design: Signature Greenvelope
For an alternative to giving a cash gift or check, send the bar mitzvah boy a gift card to say mazel tov! Choose one of Greenvelope’s congratulations cards — like this festively speckled card — and add a digital gift card to wish the birthday boy well. All our online cards are easy to customize so you can send a fun design with a personalized message.
7. Hamsa Plaque
With the hamsa serving as protection from evil and a reminder to pray, this symbol makes perfect sense as a bar mitzvah gift. Seek out a traditional hamsa plaque as a gift for the birthday boy. Or mix things up and opt for a backlit or neon version if they’d love a way to honor their faith with a gaming-inspired twist.
8. Star of David Necklace
The Star of David is another key symbol of the Jewish faith. Be inspired by this to find a handmade and beautifully crafted Star of David necklace. If you know the gift recipient would love to wear Jewish jewelry, this is a great gift idea.
9. Tallit Bag
If the guest of honor already has a wonderful tallit or prayer shawl, consider gifting them a tallit bag so they can keep it protected and in the best condition. There are plenty of wonderful options — from minimalist velvet creations to designs that feature delicate embroidery.
10. Watch
Watches remain a traditional gift idea for teenagers and young adults — especially if you want to invest in a high-quality timepiece that’ll last. Take note of the bar mitzvah boy’s style preferences and invest in a watch that will remind him of this special time.
11. Torah Pointer
For a thoughtful and practical gift for a close family member, a new Torah pointer (or yad) is a lovely bar mitzvah gift idea. It’s something they’ll use over and over again, so investing in a high-quality or handmade pointer can be well worth it. Look for a design that matches their personal style — whether that’s modern and brightly colored or classical and ornate.
12. Chai Necklace
Another great jewelry gift is a chai necklace. The chai symbol represents life, and its closeness to the concept of “giving chais” makes it a great bar mitzvah gift idea. You can find chai necklaces in gold and silver metals, and its unfussy appearance makes this a good jewelry gift option if the recipient prefers things minimalist or less ornate in style.
13. Headphones
Most teenagers love to listen to music so their bar mitzvah is the perfect opportunity to upgrade their listening experience. For parents or close relatives, a new pair of headphones makes a great gift idea — just check in with the parents first so you don’t buy duplicates.
Celebrate the Moment with These Bar Mitzvah Gift Ideas
Celebrating a bar mitzvah is a big moment so it’s only natural to want to wish the birthday boy well with the perfect gift. Use this bar mitzvah gift guide to help you find the perfect gift idea based on the recipient’s interests and style.
Whether you’re handing over the gift in person or sending it from far away, a digital card is a great partner to any bar mitzvah gift. Look through our collection of birthday cards to find one that suits the recipient, then customize it to make it feel like it was designed for them personally.
