Wedding Gifts, Please Think Again?

Ooh yes, I love weddings! The wonderful display of colours and all the proceeding that follows! The dance part is so cool and all the fun activities too. Though I dislike staying too long for the first part of the occasion which is not the reception * smiles *

I'm super excited and blessed! Still on the forth book for the year and it feels really great reading this one ; The Jewish Phenomenon by Steven Silbiger( please keep an eye for tips from the second and third * smiles *) . If you are really interested in wealth accumulation, then this book is for you! While reading, I have picked up a few new things and I will be dropping one or two things here.

The first thing I would like to share is about gift presentation during weddings. Ooh yes, this is an important session of the ceremony I guess. Especially in a country like Nigeria, where weddings can be a very big celebration. You might invite 100 persons and generously  plan for an additional 50 persons ( making it a total of 150 persons)  for the occasion. However, you'll be surprised to see like 300 persons for the wedding ( though things are changing nowadays and sometimes it is strictly by invite) ...crazy isn't it? Putting all these together, weddings can be expensive...more or less.

So, won't it be nice if people actually go to weddings with the bigger picture of the couple actually living together and making things happen for themselves?  That is , with the mindset of probably helping the couple start of their lives on a good note. I love the way Jews view money and the attitude of Jews towards money both on the macro and micro-economic scale .

On the microeconomic level of the family, Jews' view of money surfaces at wedding time. At traditional Gentile weddings the bride and groom are showered with gifts ranging from crystal to sterling. To Jews, it seems odd for young couples to have all these luxuries with no money in the bank; consequently the most traditional wedding gift to a Jewish couple is cash  ( From the Jewish Phenomenon) .


A gift of money seems impersonal to non Jews,  but in fact it is a very personal gift. It says, in essence , " we care about you enough to give you the option to allocate our gift to your most pressing needs." The couple may need seed money or establish their new household: put together a down payment on a house, buy furniture, pay off accumulated debts. The couple may be starting a new business. They may want to bank it and add to their own nest egg. How many toasters or food processors , refrigerators and the likes do you need? It is a matter of priority ( From the Jewish Phenomenon) .

So, after the wedding...what next? After all the dancing and singing, jumping and clapping and even dining that comes with wedding, what next for the couple? The wedding is only but a step to actual journey of the union. And yes. For the rest of the union, money and it's importance cannot be over emphasised. Please, I know you might want to buy the couple that special thing you've always wanted for them, but you can as well convert it to physical cash or probably some form of investment for them * smiles*. Well, something that can actually add monetary value at hand...just saying. But, it is high time we start considering what we buy for the couple instead of just joining the bandwagon to buy  some gift on your mind.

For Jews, wealth is more than the power to buy things ; it is power itself. Money can overcome the prejudices of most bigots. Money can break down most barriers faster than any pleadings for help. Wealth speaks loud and clear. Some may not like you , but most will accept your money ( From The Jewish Phenomenon) .

Money also meant physical safety and survival. Jews for example over the centuries had used their financial clout to buy special protection from the local power broker, such as row police or king, to protect themselves from the wrath of anti semitic hoodlums (the Nazi experience was a glaring exception where Jews  were unable to buy their  freedom and their lives because Nazi anti semitism overpowered their greed) ...From The Jewish Phenomenon.

I know the next weekend is by the corner and Ruth's wedding might just be by the corner. I suggest you rethink your gift for her and together , let's make her wedding a memorable one! Please share and subscribe to the blog, drop your comments please  and send in your stories at mygpland@gmail.com. Have a great week ahead!

Dedicated to all future couple, family and friends that will grace the occasion.

Signing Out,
Gpland