Giving gifts

[Kolossus]

I've been reading this forum and i noticed that it is a custom in Japan to give gifts when visiting.

When i was in Japan last year i met some people. 3 of them i've been talking to through email all year long. And i'm planning to visit and hang out with them when i go back.

The 3 that i talk to through email gave me a gift each when i left Japan.
And i wanted to take them something when i go back.
One of them is a male and the other two are females.

Is there a certain type of gift that i should give them?
I don't want to over do it and look like a show off and i don't want to under do it either.

Also, one of them has a sister that i never met or talked to.
My friend said that her sister lives in Osaka and that she agreed to show me around for my first 4 days there.
Should i also have a gift for her even though i haven't met her?

Thanks in advance.

[TalnSG]

Originally Posted by Kolossus

Also, one of them has a sister that i never met or talked to.
My friend said that her sister lives in Osaka and that she agreed to show me around for my first 4 days there.
Should i also have a gift for her even though i haven't met her?

Thanks in advance.

Yes. Something small and preferably unique to where you are from. Not knowing her makes choosing more difficult, but keep an open mind and go shopping.

[MMM]

If stranger is taking you around for four days, then you had better bring something nice.

Ask your friend what her sister likes. Houses are small so gifts that take up too much space are not good.

[Kolossus]

Thanks for the replies.

I talked to my friend and she told me that her sister likes hand creams and things like that.
So i was thinking of getting her and her sister something from Bath and Body works.
Like a gift set that comes with hand creams and body wash.
One gift set for each of them.

Would something like this be ok.

I'm a guy and i'm not that good at this type of thing.
So any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Also, would a bottle of a good bottle of Tequila be a good gift for the homie Yuki? He's a big drinker and I think he would like something like this.

[MMM]

Originally Posted by Kolossus

Thanks for the replies.

I talked to my friend and she told me that her sister likes hand creams and things like that.
So i was thinking of getting her and her sister something from Bath and Body works.
Like a gift set that comes with hand creams and body wash.
One gift set for each of them.

Would something like this be ok.

I'm a guy and i'm not that good at this type of thing.
So any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Also, would a bottle of a good bottle of Tequila be a good gift for the homie Yuki? He's a big drinker and I think he would like something like this.

Bath and Body Works is not available in Japan, but c'mon, you can do better than that. No Japanese person I know uses it because they are very perfumey.

Japanese men who drink liquor tend to go with brandy or whiskey, but that is all readily available. A nice bottle of California wine might be a hit.

[IamKira]

Originally Posted by MMM

A nice bottle of California wine might be a hit.

agreed...


I made this laptop stand for myself. and I made a Michael Jackson one for my friends b-day.. remember, sometimes home-made gifts are well receipted..

other than that, you might try giving a 125 or 250ml Erlenmeyer flask.. you can never have to many of those..

back to serious suggestions, flash storage devices.. always come in handy and you can never have too much space...

just make sure not to get them a gift card!

[Kolossus]

Originally Posted by MMM

Bath and Body Works is not available in Japan, but c'mon, you can do better than that. No Japanese person I know uses it because they are very perfumey.

Japanese men who drink liquor tend to go with brandy or whiskey, but that is all readily available. A nice bottle of California wine might be a hit.

Like i said, i'm very bad at this gift giving thing.
I'm more of a here's some money and buy what you want type of guy.
I know i suck. LOL!!!

The Wine is a good idea. I'll go with that for Yuki's gift.
Thanks a lot for that idea.

Well for the sister it was between the Bath and Body works or a perfume from Victoria's Secret.
But you say that they are very perfumey.
So i guess i have to think of something else.

[Kolossus]

Originally Posted by IamKira

agreed...


I made this laptop stand for myself. and I made a Michael Jackson one for my friends b-day.. remember, sometimes home-made gifts are well receipted..

other than that, you might try giving a 125 or 250ml Erlenmeyer flask.. you can never have to many of those..

back to serious suggestions, flash storage devices.. always come in handy and you can never have too much space...

just make sure not to get them a gift card!

Thanks for all the tips. I'm still having trouble finding something for the girls.
LOL@ gift cards.

[MMM]

http://www.loccitane.com/29/1/2270/34000/Default.htm

L'Occitane is popular, and is very expensive in Japan.

You could go to the story and literally ask what Japanese or Asian tourists buy.

The same is true for Clinique and Origins.

Perfume, especially from a lingerie store, might send the wrong message.

[TalnSG]

When my frined returned to Iwate he took a collection of hat pins, key chains, pendants and shot glasses that were specifically Texan back to all his friends. They were small, durable and could not be obtained there. Some of them were actually very nice. But all were the sort of things people pick up in tourist shops.