Traditional and untraditional Bar Mitzvah gift ideas

A bar mitzvah is a time for celebration and, as with any celebration, it's an occasion fit for gifts. While close family members buy the more traditional Judaic gifts, such as tallis bags and tefillins, friends tend to bring along gifts that are less traditional.

Generally, the same type of gift that is appropriate for a 13th birthday party is also appropriate for a bar mitzvah and popular gifts include books, CDs, and computer games. But what you buy as a gift depends on the person you're buying for.

Hobby gifts

If you know their interests, you can choose a gift that complements their current pastimes, such as a painting workshop , an introduction to surfing , or a beginner cooking lesson . It may be the start of a lifelong hobby or even their career.

Extreme adventures close to home

Their coming of age may a good time to explore new adventures. If you're buying for someone in Cape Town , a Cape Peninsula helicopter flight for two or a Jet ski safari may be just the thrill they're looking for. Or a PADI scuba diving course in Durban where they can discover the fascinating world of scuba diving. Perhaps in Johannesburg , Quad biking for two will allow them to enjoy an amazing quad safari over ditches, through rivers and up and down steep slopes.

Say it with food

You can never go wrong with food. Restaurant vouchers , fruit baskets , gourmet gift hampers , and chocolate hampers will certainly appeal to any 13-year old with a healthy appetite and a sweet tooth.

Never too young for pampering

With the pressures of being a teenager, even a 13-year old can enjoy a day at the spa! Surprise the bar mitzvah with a health spa voucher.

And if all else fails…

Say it with flowers when you're buying for a girl. Beautiful white lillies for purity and modesty, daisies for innocence, or yellow roses for friendship in multiples of 18 as the Hebrew word for life (chai) has the numerical value of 18 in Judaism. And when you're buying for a boy, perhaps a freestyle motorbike lesson would be more appropriate.

Remember that bar mitzvah gifts should not be brought to the synagogue service. It is best to give the gift at the party or have it delivered to their home.