25 Bat- And Bar Mitzvah Gifts To Give Instead of Money

More traditional than an Apple watch but cooler than your standard timepiece, this chronograph watch is made from 100% natural, sustainably-sourced Ebony. It comes packaged in a bamboo gift box, has a lifetime service guarantee, and just looks, well, special—especially at a reasonable price point. Plus, this keepsake doesn’t instantly become outdated once the new ‘series’ hits shelves and won’t look like something every other kid has!

Thanks to its foldable, easy-to-store design, this basketball game table will make you look like a hero to the bar mitzvah boy or bat mitzvah girl—without earning you villain status by the parents. It’s got built-in locking for storage, an LED scoring display, a game clock, eight game options, and simply takes AA batteries. It’s way better than a back-of-the-bedroom-door hoop and dare we say, a slam dunk as far as bar mitzvah gifts go.

The magic of Harry Potter knows no age limit. If the newly- anointed adult is both a chess and an HP enthusiast, this miniature recreation of the wizard chess set is an excellent—and affordable—choice for a bar/bat-mitzvah present. The pieces from this game are made of molded plastic, because we are still dealing with 13-year-olds, after all, but like the series, the lessons will last a lifetime.

Remember printing out pictures? Well, this is the modern-day version. Measuring just 2″x3″, the Canon ivy mini printer is portable and offers instant gratification—two things 13-year-olds love! Via Bluetooth, the bar/bat mitzvah kid can print photos from his or her smartphone or social media, complete with peel-&-stick backs, as well as options for frames, filters, text, and more. Because, obvi.

Because “well-behaved women seldom make history,” and young women (and men!) should know all about the badass ladies that came before them. From Sojourner Truth to Joan Jett, Ann Shen’s illustrated coffee table book highlights revolutionary women throughout history and is bound to inspire the next generation to challenge the status quo. For the budding changemaker, this is an ideal bat mitzvah gift to include in her growing library.

Glamorous with a vintage vibe, a monogrammed leather jewelry travel case is practical and personal. The timeless design means it won’t go out of style any time soon, and with a wall pocket, tons of organizers, and an interior ring roll, there’s plenty of room for her bat-mitzvah baubles and more.

For an aspiring artist, a complete set of art supplies is basically the bar mitzvah gift jackpot. This one comes with 165 pieces, including crayons, oil pastels, colored pencils, brushes, palettes, an easel, drawing pad, and more. Whew—can you feel the creative juices flowing? Also, all crayons, paints, and pastels are non-toxic, and come stowed neatly in a mahogany wood case for easy portability and organization. A masterpiece!

Fact: Teenagers are never without their phones. Another fact: Constant disinfecting is a lifestyle now. Enter the PhoneSoap 3, a smartphone charger—and UV sanitizer. Built to accommodate all smartphones, including larger models, this ingenious device uses germicidal UV-C bulbs to completely sanitize the phone, killing 99.99% of all bacteria and germs, while charging it, too. Pandemic-friendly bar mitzvah gift idea: found.

For the bat mitzvah babe who lives for layering jewelry, this affordable It-girl necklace only looks super expensive, featuring a personalizable lowercase initial and 16-inch chain made of 14k gold. Adinas Jewels have been worn by Insta-queens like Lucy Hale, Skai Jackson, Madelaine Petsch, and yes, Kylie Jenner, so you can be sure this gift will score you cool points with the newest member of the teenage race.

The days of singing into a hairbrush in the mirror are long gone. With this cable- and bluetooth-enabled microphone, becoming the next Bat Mitzvah Idol is as easy as opening any Karaoke app or selecting a file from a music-playing device. It’s also got recording capabilities for teens who want to save their songs. As far as bat mitzvah gift ideas go, especially for aspiring singers, this one is kind of a guaranteed hit.

A camera and a printer in one? This is the Kodak instant camera reimagined! The sleek new version uses ZINK paper that requires no ink or toner—meaning less waste goes into landfills . With features like adhesive backing, as well as options for filters, frames, and photo-booth style double photos, there’s a lot to love about this as a bar mitzvah gift idea.

No list of bat mitzvah gift ideas would be truly complete without Air Pods. If the guest of honor doesn’t already own these wireless headphones, he or she has likely been coveting them for a while. They connect immediately once in the ears and deliver high-quality sound, too, which is likely why they top lots of wish lists these days—so make that wish come true!

Is the bar mitzvah boy or bat mitzvah girl a DJ in training? Gift them with the best DJ system for beginners. Compatible with Mac and PC, this two-deck pick also comes with a built-in LED light show that auto-syncs to the music. Its small size means less clutter and the affordable price, as far as mixing equipment goes, means this is a great starter option for kids to learn and play on before asking the ‘rents to invest in something pricey.

Who couldn’t use a little extra protection as they venture into teenagehood? The hamsa represents the hand of God, and is meant to offer the wearer protection and luck. A crystal encrusted version on a bracelet offers style with all of that, too.

A waterproof, wireless, bluetooth speaker that offers 13 hours of battery power is ideal for teens. Did we mention it also floats? Thanks to a portable and drop-proof design, this pick works everywhere from the pool, beach, or even shower (!) to bike rides and other outdoor adventures. It comes in a bunch of fun colors, too, because it obviously should look cool, too. Duh.

This Michael Kors Pyper Three-Hand Stainless Steel Watch works great as a badass style for young ladies. It’s the kind of cool-girl watch that layers perfectly with bracelet stacks. A step up from Timex but not in Tag Heuer territory, this watch makes for a bat mitzvah gift that’s special and fashionable without costing a small fortune. It comes in over 15 colors and patterns too!

Simple and timeless, this is a nameplate necklace she will keep forever (hopefully)! If traditional judaica bat mitzvah presents feel too stuffy for her, this Hebrew necklace nods to the significance of the occasion in a wearable way. Whether it’s a name or inspirational word, the brand will translate it into Hebrew for you, so no bilingualism required!

What can we say? Teens love music and tech. If Beats by Dre aren’t exactly in your price range, this affordable pair of bluetooth headphones offer the cool throwback look, sound insulation, and comfort at a fraction of the cost. The budding mixmaster can listen to two audio sources at once, because if there’s anything else teenagers are known for, it’s multitasking.

Yes, 13-year-olds get stressed out (does anyone remember middle school?) and need their own spa days—especially this year! This birthday box includes a soy wax candle, all-natural handmade soap, lip & body salve, shimmering hand sanitizer (timely), a light pink velvet scrunchie,  and a jewelry piece from the seller’s shop. What’s not to love? Fair warning: You may end up buying a box for yourself, too.

Including four laser guns, four vests, and a charging station that powers up for approximately 8 games, a laser tag set that syncs up scoring and team data is a pretty damn fun bar mitzvah gift. No infrared rays are used and this game has a reach of up to 150 feet so it’s a win-win for parents and teens. One mom reviewer even noted she, “lost five pounds playing with my children!” Well, OK, then.

A guitar is a pretty cool bar/bat mitzvah gift idea, if you ask us. With more time at home than ever, kids certainly have ample time to learn and practice, and this ¾ size beginner option is perfect for young aspiring musicians. The ‘starter kit’ includes a waterproof guitar bag, strap, tuner with battery, wipe, and two picks, and the guitar’s six strings are made of nylon as opposed to steel—ideal for delicate beginner fingers!

Another keepsake-worthy bauble that’s not quite as wallet stretching, Kendra Scott’s Elisa pendant is a fan favorite a bunch of times over, making it an excellent bat mitzvah gift idea! Choose from drusy, glass, or filigree for the pendant on this 15-inch necklace that’s perfect for everyday wear. The ideal delicate piece, the Elisa is easily layered with other necklaces or worn on its own for that just-right hint of shimmer.

The new teen may not be old enough to drive, but you can still gift them a sweet new ride: a bluetooth hoverboard, that is. This one comes with a built-in wireless speaker that connects to portable devices for easy listening while riding (the skateboard equivalent of a car radio, as it were) and is easy to learn/balance on for beginners. Plus, it comes in 22 colors, including three camo prints!

Enamel huggie hoops with the iconic Tory logo are elegant, understated, and timeless. Gifting the bat mitzvah girl with these classic earrings will make her feel glam and all grown up—without going over the top. This is the kind of pair she can bust out on holidays, for synagogue, and other special occasions to look perfectly on point.

If you’re after a keepsake-worthy jewelry piece for the special occasion and you’re up for a splurge, David Yurman is winning many a young fan these days, from what we hear. The classic two-tone cable design of this ring is instantly recognizable and something she/he will be able to keep forever—and maybe even pass down one day. (Cue: “Tradition” from Fiddler On The Roof).

And for the money they do receive, they can keep it organized in this super sleek (very mature-looking) bank. (After all, now that they have a decent chunk of cash, now’s a great time for them to practice budgeting.) A major upgrade from their porcelain piggy bank, this modern-looking unit has compartments with magnetic-latch lids to categorize the money they’ll spend, save, and — very importantly — give. Sure there are banking apps, but actually seeing their money in this Benjamin Talks bank (Benjamin = money, and money talks — get it?!) is a powerful learning tool. FYI, it’s suitable gift for younger budgeters-in-training, too. Time to start saving for college, kids!