I know it’s a ways away, but I think I definitely want to go home for Christmas. Upon a quick google search, it says that about 1% of Japanese people celebrate it. In what ways do they do so? I am very excited at the idea of coming back with things from home that are new and different to my coworkers and students (K-9), and I am curious as to what many of you (ALTs, teachers, anyone working in an office, etc.) have brought back? I know candy canes and other chocolates, etc., might be the obvious choice, but did you do anything else or make/buy anything unique? Excited to hear it.
I am also the type who really enjoys giving personalized individual gifts, even if it’s something small, despite Japanese gift-giving culture that sort of seems to dictate that they give one in return…. I don’t expect or want anything, but if I were to give little Christmas gifts to everyone as a way of sharing my Christmas spirit with them, would it be appreciated? Or would it more likely be a burden to them and make them feel like they need to reciprocate? I wouldn’t want that at all.
(If anyone wanted to know, I’m from North America; Christmas is a big deal to me and although I understand that I am a guest here and must adapt to their culture, I get really excited at having the chance to share my favourite holiday with the people around me in some way).
TIA!
8 comments
According to the Japanese, Christmas means fried chicken. And cakes. Don’t know why. Something to do with KFC.
Romantic time for couples, or if family with kids, pretty much as back home minus the turkey dinner. None of the religious stuff though, just the original pagan stuff: tree, gifts, lights etc.
*I am very excited at the idea of coming back with things from home that are new and different to my coworkers*
Candy Canes, no shit. Virtually unavailable domestically, and I have a nice memory of short, persistently angry Math teacher saying “Tastes like toothpaste, but good toothpaste!”
and students (K-9)
Allergy issues, food is a big no. A classroom decoration that can be brought out yearly might be good.
Christmas presents are a thing for kids here, and those are typically from Santa. Adults who are dating might also exchange gifts but otherwise presents aren’t a terribly big part of Christmas here.
Candy canes could be good–they’re not too large and individually wrapped. However many Japanese people don’t like peppermint flavored sweets so maybe look for the fruity kind.
Personally I wouldn’t do individualized gifts in a workplace. Anything that isn’t omiyage people will feel obligated to gift you something in return. And if someone’s gift looked more elaborate/expensive than another’s that could send messages you don’t intend. Better to go the traditional Japanese omiyage route and get something that’s more or less the same for everybody. If you really want to give something from a North American Christmas, what about Christmas cards? You can write a personalized message inside if you wish, they don’t take up a lot of space, and they have cute/pretty Christmas scenes that can be used to decorate a space. You can explain that traditionally people send Christmas cards to family and acquaintances like the Japanese nengajou at New Years.
However, I would never give *any* Christmas-themed gifts or omiyage out whatsoever after the 25th. Keeping up aesthetics in line with the seasons especially in hospitality/gifting is important, it’s tacky and inconsiderate to give someone a seasonally-themed gift after the season is over (and in Japan, Christmas really is over at midnight on the 25th lol to make way for New Year stuff). If you’re getting back to Japan after the 25th a normal omiyage without a Christmas theme will be best.
Christmas is a commercialized thing for kids and dating couples here. You can bring home traditional japanese KFC bucket of chickens, or just buy some christmas-theme kitkat in supermarket
standing outside the Hachiko statue hoping for a date on Dec 24th, usually.
Try bringing back Christmas decorations which are unique to your culture. Of course there are thr standard western traditional things for Christmas decorations, but I know at least where I’m from (New Zealand) some shapes there will sell Christmas decorations portraying things unique to New Zealand such as the Maori culture, NZ animals, NZ foods, etc. It’s gimmicky but clever as Japanese people love anything which is small and cute (kawaii), as well as being specially popular for students as (unless you teach at a Senior Highschool in Japan, brings edible gifts for students is a big no no).
I bought a 260 pack of mini candy canes on Amazon and my coworkers (and everyone else I give them to) LOVE it. Most of them don’t realize candy canes are actually a candy and are super excited that they taste like toothpaste 😂.