Our blog - Oseibo
Oseibo
- Category :
- Custom/Culture
“OSEIBO” in Japanese character stands for the “ending of the Year”. During the “Oseibo” season, it is customary in Japan to send “Oseibo” gifts. “Oseibo” was originally part of the New Years’ custom. In Japan, it is customary for offerings to be given to ancestors during the New Years in order to call their spirits. Therefore, people would visit the head family with offerings before the ending of the year and this was called “Oseibo” gifts.
New Years’ customs have changed with the times and have become more simplified.
In recent years, instead of bringing “Oseibo” gifts directly, many are sent by delivery services. Also, people have begun to send “Oseibo” gifts, not only to their head family, but to friends and superiors at work to express appreciation for the help and support in the past year. This custom has also become familiarized in the business scene. Companies would send it as Year End gifts to clients. (However, some companies do not accept these types of gifts so that equality among clients is kept and there are no favoritisms)
These gifts should be sent from early December up to Christmas, around the 25th.
In general, the budget for these gifts would be from 3,000 to 5,000 JPY. Standard gifts are beverages (such as beer) and food products (fish, ham, etc). However, there is no limit to the cost as well as what you can and cannot send. The most important thing is that the gift is chosen from the heart. After all, this is all in show of appreciation.
If you choose to send fresh food products, it would be wise to send the receiver a greeting card ahead of time and confirm that they would be home.
When sending these gifts, they should be wrapped using the “Hana-musubi” or “Cho-musubi”, as you can see on the right. 
This type of knot symbolizes occasions
that are good to be repeated since these
knots can be tied and untied over and over again.
“Oseibo” season is nearing. Maybe you will be receiving “Oseibo” gifts from your Japanese colleagues. This year, maybe you would want to send a “Oseibo” gift to someone just to say “Thanks” instead. If you visit a major department store, you will definitely see “Oseibo” section with many gifts to choose from. Good luck!
