Since a bat mitzvah is a milestone occasion in a Jewish girl’s life, many parents try to give their daughter the best bat mitzvah gift possible. What that gift should be, however, can be a difficult decision.

One option is to give a monetary gift. The amount you give, however, can be tricky. You don’t want to give too little and seem cheap, but you also don’t want to give so much that the recipient feels obligated to spend it all in one place.

A good rule of thumb is to give around $200-$500 per guest, though you can certainly give more or less depending on your budget and relationship to the bat mitzvah girl. If you’re unsure of what to give, ask the parents or the bat mitzvah girl for guidance.

Another option is to give a gift that’s specific to the bat mitzvah girl. This could be something like a piece of jewelry, a gift certificate to a favorite store, or a donation to a charity that’s important to her.

Whatever you choose to give, make sure it’s something that the bat mitzvah girl will appreciate and use. After all, the goal is to make her bat mitzvah an unforgettable experience, not to add more stress to the day.

Rosa R. Hall