Choosing a homecoming gift: three criteria
Over the New Year, you are bringing a gift to a home where people gather, so choose with that in mind. Three criteria rarely fail:
- Long-keeping: with a steady stream of visitors, gifts may not be eaten quickly. Baked sweets, tsukudani or dried goods with a generous shelf life are safe
- Individually wrapped, easy to share: things that can be handed out on the spot at a gathering, no cutting needed
- Shelf-stable: the New Year fridge is full of osechi. Anything needing refrigeration or freezing is best avoided
This "homecoming gift" is a personal gift to family and relatives - different from a business souvenir for a work contact. For gifts to children you give otoshidama to, see also Otoshidama Amount Guide.
Budget guide and classics by recipient
| Recipient | Budget guide | Classics |
|---|---|---|
| Your own parents | 2,000-3,000 yen | Their favourites, sweets from a shop they cannot get locally, nicer tea or coffee |
| In-laws | 3,000-5,000 yen | Established-brand baked sweets, fine tsukudani or nori - safe and long-keeping |
| A relative's home (a gathering) | 2,000-3,000 yen | Individually wrapped assortments to share among many |
| A spare, to avoid arriving empty-handed | Around 1,000 yen | Keep an extra box of long-keeping baked sweets on hand |
Amounts are general guidelines only. What is appropriate varies with the relationship and local custom.
Avoiding missteps
- Do not make one household's gift bigger: keeping the item and budget similar between your own parents and your in-laws keeps the peace
- Avoid duplicates and perishables: gifts pile up at New Year. Skip perishable fresh sweets and overly obvious staples that others will also bring
- Noshi: for a more formal recipient, use a "Gonenga" noshi (red-and-white butterfly knot). Between close family, it can be omitted
- Allergies and preferences: with small children or elderly people, mind items that are too hard or contain common allergens
How to present it
- Timing: after you have come in and settled, present it with your greeting. Not hurriedly at the door
- Out of the bag: take the gift out of its paper bag or wrapping cloth and hand it over with both hands, facing the recipient. Traditionally you keep the bag; a word about whether they would like it is kind
- Add a line: "I hope you enjoy it," "it keeps well, so whenever suits" - words that make it easy to receive
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Frequently asked questions
What is a good budget for a homecoming gift?
Around 2,000-3,000 yen for your own parents and 3,000-5,000 yen for in-laws is a general guide. What is appropriate varies with the relationship and local custom.
What should I choose?
With visitors coming and going over New Year, choose something long-keeping, individually wrapped and shelf-stable. Baked-sweet assortments and fine tsukudani or nori are classics.
Can the gift differ between my parents and my in-laws?
Keeping them the same is the peace-keeping trick. Matching item and budget avoids awkwardness later.
Do homecoming gifts need a noshi?
For more formal recipients, use a red-and-white butterfly-knot "Gonenga" noshi. It can be omitted for close family such as your own parents.
When should I present it?
After you have come in and settled, present it with your greeting. Take it out of the bag and hand it over with both hands, facing the recipient.