Is my omiyage for my elderly neighbors a good one?

14 comments

1. Don’t overthink it

2. Overkill as it is.

3. Any gift will be appreciated I am sure.

4. As a Japanese person, I think it’s a good gift. You just have to say that, “小さいものですけど” as you do it Lol.

   Join r/japanlife that’s where people who live in Japan post, and you’ll have better answers there.

5. Too much is worse than not enough sometimes. It’s a lovely thought, but you don’t want to create a sense of obligation right off the bat.

6. I’d ditch the plant, they may not want to take care of something, and they’d feel bad if it dies. You generally do not give something permanent, but something that will be used up or used for a while (like a hand towel). The bath salts and tea are therefore good ideas, but too much of a good thing. A basket seems a bit overboard, the kind of thing you’d give if say, they took in your mail for you while you were away (depending on how big it is of course). Downsize a bit and you’ll be fine.

   Edit: missing not in ‘do not give something permanent’

7. Maybe just bake them some cookies. It’s a slippery slope because doing so will start a never ending cycle of gifting.

8. Any omiyage is a good omiyage but with the tradition of reciprocation here, it puts them in a potential position to feel obligated to do something of equal or greater value next time. I’m sure they will understand your intention and be grateful either way!

   If there are any other neighbors, make sure they don’t see the gift you give them vs the big gift. It will also show that you value some more than others and make for awkward relationships!

   Good on you for trying and good luck 💪

9. Get a square watermelon and a few of those gazillion dollar mangoes and strawberries. Impress the neighbors.

10. The idea of giving them a gift is what counts. So I don’t think it matters

11. Damn, they hit the jackpot 🙂

    Just the tea would have been enough.

12. Don’t ever give some food as a stranger, it will get thrown away. They won’t say it or confirm but what sane person in Japan ever accepts some edible food from a stranger?!?!?! Don’t give plants either.

    If you want to make a good impression, knock on the door and just introduce yourself and say you are doing as such and things might me noisy first week or so and be done with it. Don’t do more, it is mendokusai.

13. For elders, locally made sweets you can get at nearby stations or even vegetables are good.

    It is going to be a long term relationship, so just give them whatever you have excess of. If you have extra cucumbers, tell them “I bought too much” and give them to them. They will probably make pickles out of them and gift you back.

    Of course, Omiyage when you go out of town, would be good. But again, think for locally made sweets or fruits.

    So looking forward to hearing about your new adventures. ❤️

14. Recently there is a trend for something useful that can be used.

    The builders next to my business came around with a bottle of washing up liquid to apologise for any future noise and it was well received by me and I’ve used it up and now refilled it.