What is a proper gift to give for a bar mitzvah?

I think Eighteen dollars in book coupons

Assuming you are not Jewish --

Bar Mizvah is pretty much like a Confirmation or a Sweet Sixteen.

So - if you have any tradition for what to give for those -- you give the equivalent here

Avoid religious theme gifts -- leave those to others of the same religious community as the kid

(just my opinion, it feels forced when non-religious or people of a different religion give religious gifts)

Often, between the Synagogue, grandpa, and some uncle, that's more than covered anyhow.

If the kids are good friends, your son may already know what his friend wants.

Otherwise -- money is always good. He could be trying to save up for a game system or a musical instrument.

As others already said - its a Jewish good luck thing to give multiples of 18.

But I'm sure the kid would be happy with any other numbers as well

A monetary gift in multiples of $18. Hebrew letters are also numbers. The Hebrew word chai - meaning life is also the number 18. So you would be wishing the bar mitzvah life, double life, etc

Well if you know that the bar mitzvah is going to be very jewish like held in a synagogue and all that, I would find something that his parents would find appropriate, which you may have to be picky about. But if its the typical 21st century bar mitzvah which is basically like a pre-sweet 16, then you can get him something just as you would as if it was a regular party. His parents are most likely loaded though since bar mitzvahs are usually held in rented out ball rooms of hotels. So it would have to be a pretty NICE gift to reach the kids expectations.

As a Muslim, our closest equivalent to a Bar/Bat Mitzvah is the ختم القرآن Khatam-al-Qur'an ceremony (usually abbreviated to just ختم Khatam). This is the ceremony where the child has completed his/her entire Qur'an recitation under the guidance of the maulvi/tutor. It is approximately the same age as the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, and we usually give cash; about the same amount as one would give to a typical US high school graduate. Since your friends are good ones, I would give about 150% of the amount you would give the typical high school graduate. Mazel Tov!

Well, money in multiples of 18 (it is a lucky number). So, $18 or $36 or $54 etc. When my family gives gifts we give something the boy would like, such as drum supplies, books, a painting we know would mean something to the person, art supplies, gift card, tallit clips, a shofar, etc. We usually check with the parents to see what might be wanted. We usually give $18 as well in brand new dollar bills.

Ask you son what he thinks he might like.

Give a gift that will last forever. Help him to learn about the true meaning, privilege and spirituality of being a Jewish man.

http://www.aish.com/

http://ohr.edu/

http://www.simpletoremember.com/

http://www.gottorah.com/

http://www,ncsy.org/

http://www.hineni.org/

This is a major birthday. Something that he would get for a big birthday.

Playboy mags for sure