I’m visiting an older sister I know, and she has two daughters who are in middle school. I was thinking of buying an album for the kids: Laufey’s “Bewitched”. They both know English to some degree (I think they attended an international school for a while) so I was hoping some fresh, new jazz from a girl in the US would be interesting for them.
One of them is really bookish and the other is very socialable. I was also thinking of bringing some Korean snacks because K-culture is something the younger kids like these days, but I’m not sure. Any ideas would be really appreicated.
17 comments
For nieces in that age range, something cheap that can start a conversation plus cash in one of those little envelopes is the approach I usually take.
Any kind of stationary, hand towels (that they would use in club) and socks that have characters or designs that you can’t get in Japan. Same with the K-stuff – get them goods that are marketed for US consumers.
An older sister you know? Your older sister? You could just ask her.
TBH cash, an Amazon gift card, or something is probably the safest option. No chance of disappointment then. Music is a bit of a risk. People don’t often listen to stuff outside their usual range. The Korean snacks are definitely a good idea though!
Cash. Teens get cash, even if you know exactly what they want, give them cash.
Plus one for cash in an envelope. My children always loved it when Grandfather would visit, he had envelopes for everyone!
You can get them snacks. Maybe some earrings and necklaces. Nail polish as well maybe!
Would be strange if you were visiting an older sister you DON’T know.
Snacks from the US, or bags, towels, stuffed keychains with cute characters that are not common in Japan would be good ideas.
It would be much easier to just show them a video of Laufey on YouTube or something. If they like it, they can decide to look more into it themselves.
As others have said, it’s more than likely they won’t even have a CD Player and to be honest most kids in that age range would not appreciate jazz and get bored of it. Although the stars may align and they may end up with a life changing favorite album, it is more likely that they will just end up with another useless object to clutter their house.
I would just ask your sister what they like, or even what they want. Money is also a safe bet but can seem inappropriate to some people.
Cash is the answer. Don’t buy them a CD album lmao. Modern laptops these days don’t even have a CD drive.
All gifts in Japan should be money or something consumable like stationary or food. Usually food.
Money (in a nice envelope) is always appreciated, and better than gift cards. Money is not seen as “cold” – it’s a very normal gift here.
Food is the big thing – sweets, nice fruit, something like that. Not sure kids want fruit, but they all love sweets/candies/snacks. Cute stationary is also good, as long as it’s something that gets used and thrown away.
What NOT to get Japanese people is anything permanent, like tchotchkes, cups, figurines, etc. They live in small houses, and don’t have room for a lot of stuff. And they feel bad throwing it away, so you’re literally being like “here, use some of your very limited storage space for THIS” – which is not great. Anything consumable, they can happily throw away if they don’t like it – because who will know, and nobody feels bad.
I just give my nephews cash.
I’d rather they have the money to make their own enjoyable memories than me giving some stuff they think are junk.
I always remembered everytime when my Triad looking great-uncle (RIP) dropped by. He pulls out a wad of cash from his pocket and hands off 50 bucks (early 90’s) to me and to each of my cousins. Felt like winning the lotto as a kid.
I nowadays try to pass it forward to my nieces and nephews.
Thanks for the responses everybody, I think I’ll ask her first if they even have a device that can take in a CD.
I just generally want to provide them something that will impact how they see the world, the kids living in Japan and Korea, I think when I think about their future, I want something that’s English oriented so that it can have an impact on how they choose their interests etc. I felt like an album like that would be accessable and cultural.
Thanks everyone.
Books is always a hit for me. Of course money is always a must for kids
I taught Japanese middle schoolers up until recently.
I would stay away from the CD. I get where you’re coming from but kids listen to music on YouTube. No one uses CDs anymore. If you get her a CD it will likely sit unopened.
Korean anything is generally goes over well
Cute stationary/school supplies (pencils, pens, erasers, etc) also goes over well
Snacks not available in Japan will also go over well
By far though, if you ask Japanese kids what they want for their birthday, the overwhelming answer is money. Giving/asking for money isn’t seen as tabboo the way it is in the US. It isn’t seen as cold or impersonal. Japanese kids often don’t get allowance, so the money they get as a gift at new years/birthdays has to last them all year
When relatives bring interesting snacks from Trader Joe’s, it usually doesn’t disappoint.
My only hold back was how annoying they made the Doctor. Honestly, it was distracting how bad I wanted to see her kicked out of an airlock.
Are you trying to say ‘woman’ when you say older sister?
I guarantee the kids will be meh on the music, to be honest. Youtube exists. I firmly say give up on the multicultural trip, you’re not going to change anyone’s life via the power of music or whatever. You’re not their parents, so just get them something cool that they will want.
The ニ゠nici animal pencil cases are super cute and super popular. Tons of middle school girls have them and they are so cute.