Bat Mitzvah gift ideas that won't break the bank

[got2luvtink]

My DD was just invited to a bat mitzvah, and I want to get a gift that is nice, but won't break the bank. Any ideas??

Also.... the ceremony at the temple starts at 8am, but the party is in the evening. We're not Jewish, is it ok to only go in the evening?

 

[punkin]

Yes, it is OK to go only in the evening. Just let the hosts know. As far as presents, that depends on your relationship to the girl or her parents. The closer you are, the more you should spend.

 

[lisabarr]

A cash gift in an increment of $18 is nice. 18 means chai in hebrew and is considered a lucky number. $36 from a friend of her age would be appropriate, unless the whole family is invited, then more would be appropriate.

Also, the point of the celebration is the ceremony in the temple so, IMHO, would be rude to just go to the party. Kinda of like going to the wedding reception but skipping the ceremony, kwim?

 

[ChickieToo]

The good (or bad depending how you look at it) thing about a Bat Mitzvah is that the temple ceremony lasts for hours, and unlike a church service, it is perfectly acceptable for people to come and go and not stay for the entire event. Usually there is a little breakfast/brunch after the temple ceremony called (I think) a kiddish and everyone at the ceremony is asked to that. It might be nice for your daughter to go to the ceremony a little later and stay for that.

 

[dreamer423]

A cash gift in an increment of $18 is nice. 18 means chai in hebrew and is considered a lucky number. $36 from a friend of her age would be appropriate, unless the whole family is invited, then more would be appropriate.

Also, the point of the celebration is the ceremony in the temple so, IMHO, would be rude to just go to the party. Kinda of like going to the wedding reception but skipping the ceremony, kwim?

ITA with this. FYI-Chai means life s that is why increments of 18 hold special meaning.

And the ceremony is the most important part.

 

[Kitzka]

I would not skip the ceremony. That is the point of the bat mitvah. DD has been to about 5 bat mitvahs and the time that she arrives varies on the temple. For reform temples she goes at the time the service starts as their services do not seem as long and the sanctuary doors don't seem to open much during the service.

for the conservative temples she will arrive about an hour later.

lara

 

[Gr8t Fan]

My DD was invited to a Bat Mitzvah last year for twins in her class and they warned all of their classmates not to skip the service as that is the most important part.