Presents???

[Molokidan]

(I think I posted this in the right forum. If it's not topicworthy, gomen nasai.)

I'm going over into Japan in march, and I've been trying to decide on what to buy my host family for presents. I just don't know which foods (non-perishable, mind you) are rare in Japan, and also popular. That, and just about anything else that's relatively cheap over here that would light their faces up when I present it to them. Unfortunately, I don't know their location NOR the number or ages of the people in the family .... no clue when I'm going to find that out. But I'd like to get my shopping done early. Any suggestions???

[Big Booger]

Honestly,
Get things that relate to your home country or even your area. I brought over some US flag stuff.. locally produced items.. and such.

As far as food goes, they have mostly everything.. no sweets.. cause foreign sweets are usually too sweet for Japanese tastes...

Bring a few things of liquour.. like specialty liquors only found in your area.

I brought over a couple bottles of Apple Pucker:


That was a complete success. But it just depends on what is readily available for you to bring over.

If you are uncertain of the group size, bring over individually wrapped items that come in a multipack.


Hope that helps.

[Molokidan]

Ahhh, that's what a friend told me too. >_< I can't take liquor on the plane though, I'm only 16....

[Big Booger]

if not liquor then bring some "Americana Items" like with the US flag on it, Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, etc...

Golf Items are a plus.. as most Japanese guys play golf...

Calendars with US scenes are nice. Framed pictures would also work well.

Find something that you can get only in your area.. it will definitely be a big hit. Even if you think it is dorky.. in Japan it is cool because it is foreign.

[Mini_B]

Hot Sauce...chocolates...maple syrup...beef jerkey

Whatever you bring...it's really the thought that will light up their faces.

[devicenull]

...beef jerkey

"ways to scare your host family"

see: news

[Big Booger]

...beef jerkey

"ways to scare your host family"

see: news

LMAO..


"Here's your BSE Omiyage"

[Watcher]

How about a finger printining kit... who knows? Your host family may be terrorists. Protect your neck.

[kamome]

I agree with BB; you should bring something "local", i.e. a regional delicacy. I think sweets are a good idea. I often bring sweets as omiyage for my office, and they are always appreciated (the female secretaries especially like sweets). Liquor or baseball-related paraphernalia are good for the guys.

Even if you're 16, I think you can still bring alcohol onto the airplane (??). As long as someone else buys it for you in the States, I doubt anyone's going to card you at the airport if it shows up on a security scanner.

[Molokidan]

Yeah, I dunno about the liquor though, I wouldn't want to be arrested pre-flight and then miss my flight!!!

Baseball paraphenilia sounds like a good idea, though, I'll check into that. I thought sweets was a bad idea since there's already so many candies in Japan.

Maybe I'll just toss a tumbleweed into my suitcase :P

[kamome]

If you're going with baseball stuff, it probably should be Yankees or Mariners stuff. Nobody here cares about the Texas Rangers or Kansas City Royals, for example. If there is a team with a Japanese player on it, then that team's merchandise will be hot here. For young girls, Winnie the Pooh and Disney characters are popular as well. It's tougher to find stuff for adults, so you'll have to rely on your best judgement.

[GomiGirl]

Whatever you bring, make sure the wrapping is stylish and when you humbly pass it to them, hand it to them like is it delicate.

[GridReaper]

FYI: Due to the Mad Cow incident, Japan will not allow you to bring in beef jerky through customs.

[GargoyleTS]

Question: Do the Japanese not open gifts in front of you? (I may have my cultures mixed up as I have been talking to my freind and his Phillipino wife a lot lately)

[cstaylor]

In my limited experience, you don't give omiyage wrapped in anything other than what it came in. That's why all those gift shops at the train station and department stores will wrap the items, or sell them prewrapped.

When I give wine I usually just hand it to them in a small bag (no, not brown paper), and usually they'll take it out briefly and ask a few questions, then put it back in the bag.

[Molokidan]

I was thinking of putting a bunch of the items in a basket and then putting some american decorations on it (a paper flag, etc.).

[kamome]

Nah, a tastful paper bag with tissue paper inside is enough. How are you going to carry a wicker basket on the airplane anyway?

[Molokidan]

Oh yeah o_o; I forgot about that. I guess no wicker basket then.

Paper bag it is!