TheReader Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 We are invited to a Bar Mitzvah for a good friend, but he's out of state so we are unable to attend. We'd like to send a gift instead, and I read that monetary gifts in increments of 18 are meaningful, so that is our plan. Question is, DH would like to send a Visa Gift Card or similar, rather than an actual check. To me, for some reason, that seems less appropriate. Thoughts? We're also sending a little personal gift (a bag of mixed candy; long story, but it will be meaningful to him and make him/his parents laugh), but of course the main gift is the money. What do you guys say? Thanks! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 Can a 13yr old use such a credit card? I'm not sure, but that may be an issue to look into. Otherwise, I think either is fine. And the extra small gifts are a nice touch. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 Send a check for the child to be able to deposit it in savings. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 I personally think a visa gift card is fine. They can be used like any other gift card. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Library Momma Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 It's fine but I think a check is a little nicer. I'm sure anything would be appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanny Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 I googled "appropriate bar mitzvah gifts" and this was near the top of the page: "Giving money in multiples of $18 is symbolic of giving 'chai' or life. Many people give money in multiples of $18 as presents to someone celebrating a birth, a bar or bat mitzvah, or a wedding.†Chai checks, or checks of any amount, are usually deposited by the parents into the kid's college fund." I had something I wanted to buy, so cash was appreciated... If the Bar Mitzvah boy would like cash to buy something with, the Gift card might prove problematic for him. You may want to Google this for other Bar Mitzvah gift ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 Because kids get a huge amount of money for their bar/bat mitzvah, most of it goes into savings for down the road - college, first car, big trip post graduation, etc. They may get to have some of it for spending money to buy stuff, but because all the gifts will be monetary, I'd send a check. Even if you're not giving much, I think it's better in this context. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenrae Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 Yep, I think sending a check is a better idea. It seems more personal, but most importantly it will give him the freedom to save it, if that is what his parents encourage him to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 Another vote for check. It's most appropriate in this context, for reasons stated above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 Yet another vote for a check. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheReader Posted April 24, 2015 Author Share Posted April 24, 2015 Thanks! That's what I was thinking, too. I will tell DH I win this round :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyD Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 I see you've got your answer, but FWIW I agree with the check option, for the reason that Farrar mentioned above -- all but a very small portion of the money is almost certainly going to go straight into the bank, so a check makes more sense. The small personal gift sounds perfect, too, BTW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.