Bris- Gift Custom?

Im invited to my first bris... just wondering if it is customary to bring a gift and if it is supposed to be a symbolic gift or a gift like you would give for any other occasion. Is it like what you would typically do for a christening ($) or just what you would bring for example the first time you go to see a baby- (clothes etc. )? I have no clue.. so thank you in advance..!

Also- is there a counterpart to a bris in the jeewish tradition when a girl is born?

Bris- Gift Custom?

No one brought a gift when my son was brised, I have no idea if that's normal or not though

Re: Bris- Gift Custom?

It is totally normal to bring a gift to a bris. Bring what you would give for a baby shower.
For a girl it would be a baby naming or a welcome to the world party.
As for the pp whose son received nothing - I am so incredibly sorry that your guests and family did not honor your child. Did you also have a baby shower? If so I could see why your DS did not get gifts but other than that, it is absolutely a gift giving occasion like a baby shower. HTH

Message edited 5/18/2013 8:38:39 PM.

Re: Bris- Gift Custom?

thank you.. she didn't have a shower as this is her second baby so I will get her a gift as if I were getting a shower gift.

Is there usually food or some kind of reception served afterwards?

Message edited 5/18/2013 8:52:23 PM.

Re: Bris- Gift Custom?

We served bagels, lox, cream cheese, salads, egg sald, tuna salad, blintz souffle, punch (alcoholic), tea, coffee, cake, cookies and fruit. From the few that I have attended they have basically offered the same things.

Re: Bris- Gift Custom?

My bris was mostly family and they brought gifts or gave checks. Friends don't have to, but it is nice to bring something small at least.

Re: Bris- Gift Custom?

Re: Bris- Gift Custom?

Bris- Gift Custom?

Like others have said, you can give a gift like you would for a shower etc

Re: Bris- Gift Custom?

Actually, a bris is not traditionally a gift giving occasion in itself, nor is a baby naming (its not the same tradition as with a christening/baptism).
Since Jewish people usually dont have showers and the bris is only 8 days after a baby is born and the first time people are seeing the baby, many people bring their gifts for the baby to the bris itself but if there was already a shower, there would be no reason/expectation to bring a gift (so the poster who said she had a shower but did not receive gifts at her sons bris should not feel bad!).
Same with a baby naming, since there is no specific time frame for a naming, by the time some baby girls have baby-namings, people have already given baby gifts. The only gifts we got at DD's naming were from people who had not sent a baby gift yet.
Now, as the things start to get more modernized for more secular jewish people, Ive noticed some people bring token gifts, like a hamsa with a prayer on it or some other judaic gift, very nice and thoughtful but not expected at all
So, if you have already given a baby gift, you absolutely do not have to give another one. But, if you feel funny going empty handed you can go to a judaica store and get something small to honor the occasion.

Re: Bris- Gift Custom?

Definitely normal to bring a gift, especially if they are having any type of small reception after. I brought a girl I'd normally have brought if there had been a baby shower (usually there isn't with Jewish women).