My daughter is invited to a friend's bar mitzvah.  How much money would be appropriate for a bar mitzvah gift?
97025
Don't give cash, it's crass, except from immediate family on this occassion. A small but fairly permanent object is a better choice, a leather organizer, cuff links,money clip, tie clasp, remember that this is the Jewish rite welcoming the boy into "manhood" so adult type gifts are suitable,  a silver picture frame for a photograph from the event,  even small electronics like a portable CD player or IPod, but not cash.
698210
Depends on how much you have to spend. Something hand made would always be nice.. a gift certificate for a spa.. something she's had her eye on for a while.. her favourite movie..
800887
http://www.findgift.com/Occasions/Bat-Mitzvah/\n\nThis site has some good Bat-Mitzvah gift ideas.
486728
I planned on keeping it simple....but I overspent.\n\nYou could take any part of the gifts I got my girls as one gift.\n\nI got everyone a rhinestone heart key chain with their first initial on it $5.99 a piece including engraving.\n\nI got everyone rhinestone hairpins at clair's boutique for 8.50 a piece.\n\nThen I got them something more personal. My matron of honor got a VERY nice collection of L'occtane lotion and soap.$75\nAnother got a magnolia spa candle from L'occtane.$25\nAnother got a box of godiva chocolate $20\nAnother got a bunch of collectors stuff from napoleon Dynomyte $20\nAnother got a new lotion collection and lip gloss from bath and body works $20\n\nLike I said, any one of those things will work. Just make sure that about the same is spent on all the girls to be equal (The maid of honor is a little different).\n\nYou could also do matching necklaces, make up bags, tee shirts, mugs, flasks, bracelets, or even manicures.....depends on how well you know your girls. Good luck and happy gift hunting.
714905
Perhaps you could offer to take her dog to the groomer, and while you have some time alone with him or her, have the pet's picture made in a Santa hat or other cute attire.  Find a nice frame that will go well with her home or office.  This will show that you actually put thought into the gift as well. I'm not sure where you live, but Wal-Mart has a photo package for under $10 that comes with some 8x10s and a 14xsomething as well as wallets, etc. Petsmart does grooming for under $30, and a nice picture frame will definitely be under $50.
332233
I don't celebrate Hanukkah but i think the best place could be as simple as Wal-mart. I heard of people getting game boys or games. I think the dollar would even be ok. Well, maybe ur really religious you should give maybe pop up bible stories or maybe even make something. I'm not really sure. There are stores that sell especially religious stuff and you should check one out.
690490
I wouldn't think it necessary as far as regular rules of etiquette go, since it was an indirect act (it wasn't donated in the name of your sister-in-law). I would definitely thank her, and possibly giver her a token or gift of appreciation, and tell her how much it meant to you.
840036
I would just think abou how much you would normally spend on gifts for them and give them that amount on a gift card.  If you would normally just buy them a DVD or something like that, $20 would be appropriate.  If you normally buy them something more than that, adjust the gift card accordingly.  I would say, since they are your sisters, giving less than $20 would be a little cheap, unless you are really strapped for cash and then they will understand.  I personally would give my sisters $40 or so, just because then they can buy something they want, anywhere from cds/dvds to clothes or whatever they happen to like.  It totally depends on your situation though and what you have given them in the past and what you can afford now.
1081582
Finding a good restaurant is key. Try the Zagat's guide and only pick 5 star restaurants if you can afford it. Give her $500 for some new shoes the day before... nothing like Jimmy Choos to make a girl happy.
805025
When I have gone to Bat/Bar Mitzvahs, I have always given cash or savings bonds. In the Jewish religion, 18 is a lucky number so usually the cash gifts I gave were either $36 or $54. Some people also choose to give jewelery.
113468
A clue.You would not want her to accept an unwanted gift out of obligation.Maybe ask her this question to see what she says.Then you'll know for sure.
472175
I have never worried to much about the cost.  I like to make something or get something that I know she/they will really like.  There are many things that you can make that will look expensive and with the time involved show how much you care without spending a fortune.\n\nIf you are crafty you could start a scrapbook for her. I have done this for a couple of friends and they loved it. I have also decorated the front of a photo album and used the invitation on the cover. You could find a really nice one or have one made out of fabric, lace, etc. I'm sure she will have a ton of pictures to fill it with.\n\nDecorated a basket (bought at a second hand store) filled with Hershey kisses and hugs, bottle of cheap wine and glasses (could even be second hand) or strawberry's etc. put it in their vehicle or room for their wedding night.\n\nYou could also make a towel cake with things from her registry and fill it with as much or as little as you want depending on your budget. http://www.thinkwedding.com/art-wedding_...
932893
I'm going with concert tix too, but that will probably blow your budget so maybe go with a committment ring, they can be gold or silver & it is a way of showing your appreciation, fondness & loyalty to her without proposing marriage :o)
783385
If its a gift exchange where you only buy one present, then perhaps you should ask your group to establish a spending limit. I would say $20 and under would be fine!
270850
Hi; I do appreciation baskets quite often.  I start with a pretty basket I find at Michaels/Hobby Lobby/or any Craft store; know your budget.  Fill with lotion, candles, gift certificate to dinner or movie, nice card telling how much that person means to you.  Add anything special that they collect ... I know our pastor's wife loves pretty journals and pens; anything personal that shows you "thought" about them -- that's the trick.  I recently did this and included the other ladies by having them "donate" to her -- like a money tree -- we gave her the money and it really blessed her.  Also, I had the ladies write down a blessing or special note of appreciation to her and included that in a beautiful china cup for her to read later.  I didn't just use one poem, I used a bunch of blessings -- a basket full of blessings.  Have fun!  She will be blessed just because you thought of her!
1024901
The customary notion would be to get her something she likes with a certain immediacy, like a gift certificate.  That is quaint.  To give a gift certificate or money, however, it won't be remembered years from now.\n\nOn the other hand, I believe that the best gift on the occasion of one's grauation is something lasting and memorable, and when she looks at it years from now, she will allways be reminded of the landmark occasion and of who gave it to her.  I also believe in giving very unique gifts.\n\nIn your city, do you have those companies that can take a 3D image of a person, and then carve it into a glass cube?  Here in Las Vegas, they are all over the place, particularly at shopping malls and casino resorts.  When one of my oldest friends visited here two years ago, she and I went and had a portrait of the two of us done.  We received a discount for having two made, so now we each have one to remind us of our 36-year friendship.  Our cubes cost about $120 for two.  O don't know your area, so I can't say for sure if it is available.  My thought was to borrow someone's cap and gown (unless she has hers already), and to roll up a tube and tie a ribbon around it.  Take her, along with these props, to have a beautiful portrait of herself done in a glass cube to commemorate her graduation.  Have a second one made to give to her parents.  This would be a wonderful, desirable, and unique gift!\n\nAlso, there are companies who will work from a photograph, without the subject needing to be present!  Have a headshot photo taken of her like a graduate, and send that in to be etched onto glass.  I was able to locate a mail order company in Pennsylvania that does this work.  With them, you can even add a special date or signature.  The cost is $99 for the first piece, and $19 for each duplicate:\n\nhttp://www.photo-etched.com/\n\n\nI also located a company that will do the laser portrait etching into a cube from your photograph!!!  (Wish we had that when my friend's sister was here.  I may do that with a photo of my mother, sister, and myself!)  The company is in Orlando, FL, and they also sell the lighted bases seperately:\n\nhttp://www.laserthis.com/3dHead.htm\n~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~\nI know that you'd like to have the gift immediately, but if you'd like to give her one of these just do this.  Order the gift, and at the party, present her with a hand-made certificate (or one that you create off the computer) for a very unique and personalized gift from you, which is on order!  (If this doesn't help you now, perhaps you'll take advantage of it in the future, or someone else looking for a unique gift will enjoy it.)\n\nBest wishes!
1176271
I think give them to her when you first see her.  \nI have a five year old and three year old, and I haven't seen some of my friends for a long time.  They don't have kids yet.  I would want to know that they were interested in meeting my kids, or okay with me bringing them along.  Giving a gift is a great way to show that you support her as a mother and you're totally okay with her bringing the kids around.