Gifts For Future Inlaws And Fiance's Family

ebam_uk

Hi Guys,

I am going to meet my fiance's family in Nigeria,

I need ideas of an assortment of gifts to pack so I can surprise them. But since it is international travel (UK to Nigeria), ideally I have to buy stuff and pack them into a bag and be practical about it.

74jax

What do they like, hobbies, work?

What does your partner suggest?

What are they for, birthday anniversary etc?

Why an assortment?

pebbles88

ebam_uk wrote: »

Hi Guys,

I am going to meet my fiance's family in Nigeria,

I need ideas of an assortment of gifts to pack so I can surprise them. But since it is international travel (UK to Nigeria), ideally I have to buy stuff and pack them into a bag and be practical about it.

I think you're putting a lot of pressure on yourself, you're meeting the parents for the first time so that in itself will be nerve wracking!

Once you've met them & know a bit more about them, their likes & dislikes, then you'll be more able to judge what you can get them.

I'm sure they won't be expecting any gifts, they'll be excited enough to be meeting you. Enjoy it, hope it all goes well xx

Generali

ebam_uk wrote: »

Hi Guys,

I am going to meet my fiance's family in Nigeria,

I need ideas of an assortment of gifts to pack so I can surprise them. But since it is international travel (UK to Nigeria), ideally I have to buy stuff and pack them into a bag and be practical about it.

I married an Aussie and when I had to bring gifts over brought 'typically English' stuff. Nice tea, olde worlde teapot, toffee with a toffee hammer, a coin from Roman Britain (cost me £10-20 from memory and very easy to carry!) that sort of thing.

Check the rules about what you are allowed to take. Living in the EU it's easy to forget that once you venture outside, countries can set rules about what you can and can't take and some of them have some very strange ideas!

ebam_uk

Generali wrote: »

I married an Aussie and when I had to bring gifts over brought 'typically English' stuff. Nice tea, olde worlde teapot, toffee with a toffee hammer, a coin from Roman Britain (cost me £10-20 from memory and very easy to carry!) that sort of thing.

Check the rules about what you are allowed to take. Living in the EU it's easy to forget that once you venture outside, countries can set rules about what you can and can't take and some of them have some very strange ideas!

I think the tea is always good! So that is one thing I could go with. A coin from Roman Britain or any period sounds good as one thing I have heard is people say they like British pounds.

Also if anyone has any ideas along this trail of thought I think its ideal as it doesn't cost very much to do. Given I am going to Nigeria it makes sense that British stuff we buy everyday here is gonna have a good sense of value.

cadon

http://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/baggage-essentials/liquids-and-restrictions

You can apparently take "Dry foods (e.g. sandwiches, biscuits, fruit, nuts)" so I would be inclined to buy a tin of biscuits which looked particularly British - basically, anything posh looking from M&S! Biscuit selections can be shared round, so that's a nice generic and not overly expensive present.

"If you are travelling with gifts, please ensure they are unwrapped. Security staff may need to open items to inspect them."

Maybe some wrapping paper or gift bags to wrap things up on the other side... You may be able to get hold of something with a touristy type print from somewhere like Paperchase.

Depending on whether the family drink, you could buy a bottle of whisky in the Duty Free shop?

elsien

ebam_uk wrote: »

A coin from Roman Britain or any period sounds good as one thing I have heard is people say they like British pounds.

.

Whenever I've heard people saying they like British money, or are collecting coins, it's generally been a politer way of begging - if they can get enough they can exchange it.
Not suggesting that's in any way the case for your in laws, just checking it's something they are interested in rather than something you've overheard while travelling.
What about smellies? Hand creams from British brands, that sort of thing?

TBagpuss

I would ask your fiance what would be appreciated and/or expected, and also whether there are any cultural issues you need to be aware of (for instance, in some traditional families, it would be inappropriate for a man to give a gift to a woman, so such a gift would be given on the basis it came from the man's mother or sister (or wife). I'm not sure if there would be any similar issue with a woman giving gifts to men, or whether the fact that you are engaged makes a difference.

I think that things which are traditionally English/British are likely to be appreciated, and perhaps something which can commemorate the occasion - a really nice, framed photo of you and your fiance, perhaps?

pigpen

The economic circumstances vary massively in many African countries.. what would they need?

A poorer family might need food and clothes.. a more well off family might appreciate treats and ornaments.. It is difficult to say what is appropriate without knowing their circumstances.

pollypenny

'Posh' biscuits and mugs from Harrods went diwn well with American friends, as did the lovely green bags they came in.

LilElvis

pollypenny wrote: »

'Posh' biscuits and mugs from Harrods went diwn well with American friends, as did the lovely green bags they came in.

You can even save money and luggage allowance by buying them from the duty free Harrods shop at the airport.