Best Wedding Gift Ideas For Nigerian Weddings & What To Avoid
Nigerian weddings are one of the most fun weddings you will ever attend. These weddings are lavish cultural events, full of music, dancing, food, and so much more.
The show of love and support for the newlywed is apparent throughout the celebration. If you’re lucky enough to be invited to a Nigerian wedding, you will surely have a great time and choosing a thoughtful gift is essential.
Just like every other wedding, gift-giving in Nigerian culture is welcomed and symbolizes goodwill, prosperity, and support for the newlyweds as they start their new life together. So, the couple appreciates something thoughtful and meaningful as a wedding gift.
For Nigerians, understanding the culture makes gift-giving easy. But if you’re unsure about the etiquette and what’s considered appropriate or inappropriate, we’ve got you covered. Check out below OmaStyle Bride’s guide of what makes a good, thoughtful, and best wedding gift ideas for Nigerian weddings, and what to avoid.
Best Wedding Gift Ideas For Nigerian Weddings
Check/Cash Wedding Gifts
Monetary gift is one of the most practical and appreciated wedding gifts for Nigerian weddings. And the amount can vary depending on your relationship with the couple. But it is customary to offer something meaningful in an envelope for the couple to open later.
This gift is most popular as it will help the newlywed as they start their new lives together.
Photo Courtesy – Anna Nekrashevich-Pexels
In addition, check or cash wedding gift gives the couple the freedom to spend the money as they choose, such as on their honeymoon, furnishing their new home, or other essential items. And also, it is traditional for the guests to ‘spray’ money on the couple during their various wedding dance sessions.
Household Wedding Gift
Household gift items are also very popular among Nigerian weddings. This type of gift to help the couple set up their new home is highly welcomed. When deciding on which household item to give, you can check the couple’s wedding registry, if they have one for their preference.
Or think about high-quality cookware, kitchen appliances or home decor items to give them. Kitchen appliances such as blenders, food processors, electric kettle, microwaves, deep freezer, and even refrigerators are all very common gift items too.
Photo Courtesy – Dau Lu Pictures-Pexels
Also, luxury bedding sets, comforters, or elegant tableware that will enhance the couple’s living space are great wedding gift ideas for the newlywed. As these items are both valuable and contribute to the couple’s new home.
Traditional Fabric Gifts
Giving high-quality traditional fabrics such as George Lace, Aso Oke, Ankara, Gele (head wrap) or Agbada (a flowing wide-sleeved robe) can be a heartfelt gesture, especially if it’s tailored to the couple’s taste. With this type of gifts, the couple can utilize the fabrics in the future for cultural events and ceremonies.
Personalized Wedding Gifts
Personalized items are also acceptable gift ideas for Nigerian weddings. Such custom-made gifts with luxurious finishes as engraved jewelry, monogrammed towels, photo frames, beaded necklaces or gold earrings are thoughtful and carry sentimental value, making them excellent wedding gifts.
In addition to the above, it’s also good to mention that in most lavish Nigerian weddings (for both traditional and church weddings), homes, cars, real estate, land portions, paid vacation and honeymoon etc. are often giving as wedding gifts to the newlywed.
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Inappropriate Items
Nigerian weddings are family affairs, attended by both the young and the old. When choosing a gift, steer clear of anything that might seem disrespectful or too personal, like intimate items or underwear.
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Cheap Wedding Gifts
When you see a cheap or poor-quality gift, you will know. So, avoid gifting any gift item that appear cheap or poorly made as it might be frowned upon, and reflects poorly on you. A wedding gift should be a reflection of your relationship with the couple, so it’s best to choose something of high-quality that shows you’ve put thought and effort into your selection.
Photo Courtesy – Ron Lach Photos-Pexels
Flowers
Almost everyone loves to receive beautiful flowers. But do not gift any specially arranged flower of any kind to any Nigerian wedding couple. While flowers are beautiful and lovely, it’s not a common gift for Nigerian weddings. And due to the cultural significance of weddings, gifts are typically more practical and long lasting.
Photo Courtesy – Engin Akyurt Photography-Pexels
Re-Gift Items
Gifting a hand-me-down, a partial used or re-gifting an old item you didn’t use is unappealing and lacks personalization. Your wedding gift for the newlywed should be something new and chosen specifically for the couple. The receiving couple can tell when you give them a re-gift item. Doing this is bad taste and reflects poorly on you as well.
Alcohol Gifts
While alcohol is part of the wedding festivities, giving alcohol as a wedding gift is not ideal in Nigerian weddings. And some families, particularly among more traditional or religious households, it might be offensive to them.
Photo Courtesy – Nikita Khandelwal Photography-Pexels
Hence, the best gifts for Nigerian weddings are those that reflect thoughtfulness and respect for the couple’s new journey. It’s always best to stick with gifts that are practical, culturally significant, and meaningful items to ensure your gift is both appreciated and memorable.
And when in doubt or don’t have time to buy a gift, monetary gift in an envelope is high appreciated because it gives the couple the flexibility to spend as they desire. By keeping these guidelines in mind, your gift will be a cherished part of the couple’s special day, embodying the joy, unity, and support for the newlywed that Nigerian weddings celebrate.
Until next time, happy giving and see you on the next post!
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