I would have him sign it....nothing else.
Save the congrats for the card.

Cheers!
Susie

I agree with Susie. Or put "To Richard" for example above his signature. But I'd leave off the cogratulations or mazel tov altogether, and as Susie says, write it on the card.

What a great gift!

I don't know, I think it would be cool to have it be more personalized...

To Moshe, Mazel Tov on your Bar Mitzvah. Guy Lafleur

My kids would be totally stoked to get a signed jersey that was personalized and could be framed. Kind of hilarious too, if the athlete has a very French name.

Is he planning on getting him something else as well? Or maybe making a donation in his name to a worthy cause? I'm just mentioning that because it is conceivable that the jersey is free and, while valuable, the gift could be interpreted as cheap. If he had to buy the jersey, that's fine (jerseys are expensive), but he might not have.

I mention this because we went to a wedding recently of a friend who is a sports agent and one of his players gave the couple a signed football as a gift and it was seen as tacky.

AM

Pragmatically speaking, I think it may depend on the friends professional status.

If he is a big time professional then I think a personal signature and salutation may be very important in establishing the provenance of the shirt.....some day way off in the future.

The more personal he can make it the better the gift.
If he could write. "Alex, congratulations on your Bar Matzvah"
That would give Alex huge bragging rights and make him the object of considerable envy for the next few weeks when he wears that shirt to school.
In the past 3 years I have had 3 grand sons do their Bar Mitzvah and go to many many others.... and it's always exciting to go school the next day with a special tee shirt.
The twins, alex and Brian had tee shirt favors made that were black with a logo like AC:DC's lightning bolt but said AC:BC. Lots of buzz when their friends showed up wearing those shirts. Just think of the buzz when he shows up with that shirt!!
Great gift....and I guarantee the boy will appreciate it lots more than a $50 check that goes into their college acount!
Linda C

I think personalization would ruin it's value if it was ever to be resold. I realize that might not happen due to the friendship, but nevertheless, I'd recommend against the personalization. Now if the giver wanted to have it mounted and framed in a plexi frame, that would be a pricey yet preservative and stunning gift. No one would ever view that as tacky!

AM, I also agree there should be some other gift along with the jersey...either money or a donation or as my SIL says I tunes gift cards are the current fave in her circle.

Sign jerseys are really cool too....Frank has a jersey signed by his fave all time goalie and no one dare touch it!! LOL!!
I think anything signed is cool!

Cheers!
Susie

Thanks, guys, I knew I could count on you. The jersey would be framed and while he is a pro athlete, we're not talking NHL salary (think NY Titans). I am with AM, thinking that the value is in the personalization. If he does that, should it say "Mazel Tov on your Bar Mitzvah" or is that to poserish for a non Jew to say? I don't think he will do more than the jersey, but he could throw in some one on one time for coaching him.
Jo

Just heard from DH he says it will be far more valuable in the future if its signed only.
If its to be mounted in a shadowbox then your friend can have a gold engraved plaque with congrats and the date on it.

I thinks its an excellent gift!!

Cheers!
Susie

Yup -- according to Antiques Roadshow the personalized items have less value. On the other hand it would be cool to have a personal signature.

Ok given that we are not likely talking Wayne Gretzky then I think he should go all the way with a signature and salutation.

"Congratulations" or "Congratulations on your Bar Mitzvah" or "Mazel Tov" are all OK. I'm Catholic and I sign my Bar Mitzvah cards Mazel Tov, it's fine. The more personal to the occasion the better. The important thing is it is a gift from the heart and something that will be treasured forever....especially if there is a personal message.

Nothing else need be given......

Mazel Tov on your Bar Mitzvah is appropriate no matter what the religion or beliefs of the giver.

The only reason I thought to leave off the reference to the particular occasion is that in a few years the kid might not be as thrilled that it says Bar Mitzvah on it, but it will always be cool to have it personalized with his name.

I didn't think value for purposes of selling it entered into it, because to me, this is the kind of thing I think he might want to keep forever.

As far as him needing to give an additional gift, I find that completely unnecessary. Giving a kid a jersey IMHO is totally different than giving a wedding couple a signed football. I mean, the signed football might be kinda cool as a novelty item but not that practical for newlyweds. OTOH, it sounds like the jersey is something the kid would really value, and how much the player spent on it doesn't enter into the picture. I see it as giving of himself, which I think is extremely valuable.

Assuming you don't want to write a novel on the back, would it be appropriate to just write "Mazel Tov, Moshe!"
and then the signature (or is the ! just over the top?)

I am picturing a 45ish man sitting around with his buds,c racking a few cold ones, debating on what to buy for a friend's son's bar mitzvah....and one guy saying....did I ever show you what Pierre le doux ( or whatever) did for my bar mitzvah? and hauling out the shirt.
he's not going to sell it! It will be worn and raved over and worn lots and lots in the next year.....then folded up and put with the momentos.....and what a momento it will be.
No...I think naming the occasion is great....makes it very personal and apt to the occasion.
After all.....this is a 13 year old kid receiving the shirt......and it's just a very cool shirt, not a shofar mounted on an onyx stand...it's for now....not 20 years from now.
One of my grandson's got a $500 gift certificate to Best Buys from a couple of 30ish uncles who really remember what it is that young kids like.....couldn't be stashed, put on a shelf nor turned in....he just had to go and buy the toys of his choice!!
Linda C