Give Good LuckSometimes cash or a gift card is the easiest way to go -- ensuring that the Bat Mitzvah celebrant will get exactly what she wants. But that doesn't mean you can't still get creative. The Hebrew word for "life" (chai) is also the Hebrew number 18, so monetary gifts in multiples of 18 ($36, $180, etc.) are considered lucky.
Use Your Talent"You don't have to spend a fortune on a Bat Mitzvah gift," says Guerdy Rejouis-Abraira, owner of Divine Design by Guerdy, an event planning company in Miami Beach. "Give what you can -- and make it something from the heart." A handmade card or an item that shows off a special skill can be more meaningful than the most expensive thing on your host's wish list. Are you known for your homemade brownies? Are you gifted with a paintbrush and canvas? Then use your talent and hold on to your savings!
Ask for HelpAsk around to see if other guests would like to contribute to one big Bat Mitzvah gift. Or, if you're close to the family, you can also ask the parents for advice. For example, if they're getting their daughter a portable DVD player, consider giving DVDs of her favorite flicks.
Give to CharityMark this special occasion by making a donation in the Bat Mitzvah's celebrant's name. Is she a dog lover? Give to the ASPCA. Does she spend most of her free time playing the violin? Write a check to the VH1 Save the Music Foundation. (And make the donation in multiples of 18!)
Make It MemorableThink about giving your host something she will cherish for years to come, such as a special book about her faith or a collection of poems. You could also give her a card stating that a scrapbook of Bat Mitzvah photos and mementos is in the works, and present the book to her when completed.
-- Linda DiProperzio