How to Choose a Bris Ceremonial Gift

You have been invited to your first bris ceremony. Traditionally, friends and family welcome a Jewish baby boy with his first gifts during this event. But, you only have 1 week to find an appropriate and meaningful gift. Follow these simple steps to ensure you come up with the perfect present to honor the occasion.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

What to Get and Where to Shop

1. Ask friends and family if there are particular items the honored family needs or wants for the baby.

2. Decide whether you want to buy an item from a baby registry or whether you want to purchase a gift on your own.

3. Purchase your gift and attach a thoughtful note expressing your "mazel tov," or congratulations.

Purchasing a Gift From a Gift Registry

4. Visit the store where the parents are registered.

5. Decide how much money you want to spend.

6. Print the registry from the store's kiosk.

7. Look for items on the printout that correspond to the dollar amount you wish to spend.

8. Ask a sales associate to help you locate the item or items you wish to buy.

9. Proceed to the checkout. Tell the cashier to remove the item from the registry and ask for a gift receipt.

Purchasing a Gift Not From the Registry

10. Visit your local synagogue gift shop or Judaica store.

11. Ask a sales associate to suggest appropriate bris gifts, such as a Kiddush cup, yalmulke, tallis, menorah or mezuzah.

12. Decide whether you want to personalize the gift even more with an engraving or embroidery.

Still Not Sure What to Get?

13. Give a gift of cash. Chai, a symbol of good luck in the Jewish religion, literally translates to 18. Therefore, any cash amount with a denomination of 18 is a meaningful gift (such as $18, $36, $54 or $72).

14. Consider giving a gift card to the place of registry or some other unexpected locations. Gift cards for professional photographs or to join a music or tumbling class are nice options.

15. Think about the baby's future and purchase a savings bond or stock certificate in the child's name.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are unfamiliar with Jewish religion or customs, do not feel obligated to purchase a Judaica gift. Meaningful gifts come in all types.
• There is no specific dollar amount that is appropriate to spend.