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Dec 8, 2018

Sweet, Sentimental and Silly: Expat Holiday Gift Options

    Living in Japan long term means you've already sent out dozens of little parcels of treasures from the land of the rising sun. Tabi socks, phone charms, folding fans and the like that you can get for cheap at the 100 yen store or for more at fancier souvenir shops have found their way to most of the people I still know and have addresses for. So what do you send to people you've already sent so much to? Well, this year, I have a system. With a little thought and creativity, you can give something small, meaningful and unique without breaking the bank.

Sweet, Sentimental and Silly: Expat Holiday Gift Options photo

    1) Something Sweet. One of my favorite Japanese things is Japanese Caramel Corn, which is in my opinion everything caramel corn was every meant to be. They took out the bits of the popped kernels that were hard to chew or had a tendency to get caught in between the teeth and gums, turning the remaining deliciousness into a sweet puffed snack that is so terribly easy to enjoy. I recently turned a visiting friend onto it and decided I should share it with more of my people. Even if I sent it to them before, it would literally have been years ago now, and this stuff is good. You can find smaller packets like these at the 100 yen store or go for the bigger bags in the grocery store, usually in the same vicinity as potato chips. Do remember to ship them in a box as the alternative will leave them crunched to dust.     
    If Caramel Corn is not your thing, regional kitkats can also be a fun Japan-only treat. You can find a few variations at most grocery stores as well as some drug stores. If those aren't interesting enough, you can check out KitKat chocolatories in Tokyo or Don Quijote stores in even more locations. There are also fun, seasonal chocolate options at convenience stores if you need other options.

Sweet, Sentimental and Silly: Expat Holiday Gift Options photo

    2) Something Sentimental. My daughter this year turned five and expressed an interest in learning how to sew, a hobby she has seen me working at time and time again in her short life, so this year, she's making small felt Christmas ornaments for our friends and family. I did ask my friends back home if they wanted a handicraft made by a five-year-old, so that parents already inundated with this stuff won't be over-burdened.     
Sweet, Sentimental and Silly: Expat Holiday Gift Options photo
    Then I spent a little time at the 100 yen store. A nearby Daiso/Aoyama branch had a nice selection of felt printed with traditional Japanese designs, which excited me to no end. I also got some plain colors and embossed felt that looked nice. Then we cut them into circles and started sewing them together. I saved the scraps from the circle cutting to cut out little additions, like hearts, circles, animals and Christmas trees. Later, she can add these pieces onto the little ornaments with glue, allowing for more personalization and creativity.

    3) Something Silly. My first year in Japan, I found these purple people-shaped grape candies (Kiechau Candies, picture at the top of the post) and I loved the so much that I sent them to everyone. I stopped thinking about them some time ago, but a recent visit from an old friend brought them right back into my mind. If you know someone who would relish the chance to devour some little purple people, send that grinch some of these.

    Chocolate eggs with toys inside are also a ton of fun for adult geeks in your life or children over the age of 3, especially if they're Americans like me who did not grow up with kinder-eggs.

    Whatever you choose, ship them soon. Remember air mail to most major countries takes around ten days maximum, longer during holiday rush.

JTsu

JTsu

A working mom/writer/teacher explores her surroundings in Miyagi-ken and Tohoku, enjoying the fun, quirky, and family friendly options the area has to offer.


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