Marshmallow Day | Mama Lisa's World Blog

Let Us Know about Gifts Given for Special Occasions in Your Culture!

Wednesday, February 11th, 2009

I’ve been asked… “about gift customs around the world like the one of the temari balls in Japan. Which gifts do people around the world traditionally give for special events such as marriages, births, etc.?”

FYI Temari balls are fancy balls with colorful, intricate patterns on them. They originally come from China, but are also found in Japan. They were traditionally made out of silk, often from old kimonos. Now they’re made with embroidery covering the balls.

They’re thought to bring good luck to whoever owns them. They’re given for births, birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions. They’re also given by parents to kids on New Years Day.

Mama Lisa

I asked Ayako in Japan about the Temari balls. Here’s what she wrote:

“Hi Lisa,

Temari balls are beautiful. Their embroidery is fancy. We don’t play with them now. We just enjoy looking at them.

By the way, one of the traditional gifts is “Otoshidama”. It is special money given to children from their parents or relatives on New Year. It may sound dry to give money, but it is traditional heart-warming gift.

On Valentine’s day, women give chocolates to the men whom they love in Japan. It is called “true heart chocolate”. Sometimes working women give chocolates to their male coworkers. It is called “obligation chocolate”. Recently, it’s also common to give chocolate to one’s friend. That’s called “friendly chocolate”.

Usually men give gifts to the women in return on the 14th of March.

Ayako

Please join the discussion and let us know about any special gifts given for special events in your culture by commenting below…

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Posted in Arts and Crafts, Birthdays, Countries & Cultures, Customs, Embroidery, Gift Giving, Holidays Around the World, Japan, Mama Lisa, Marshmallow Day, New Years, Questions, St. Valentine's Day, Temari Balls, USA, Valentine's Day | 2 Comments »

Marshmallow Day in Japan

Sunday, February 19th, 2006

Visit Head, Shoulders, Knees and all that and read about Valentine traditions in Japan.

On Valentine’s Day, February 14th, women in Japan give chocolate to the men. The men give candy to the women on White Day, March 14th.

White Day was originally conceived of by a candy maker who hoped to promote the sales of marshmallows! (In fact, it was originally called Marshmallow Day.)

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Posted in Countries & Cultures, Holidays Around the World, Japan, Japanese, Languages, Marshmallow Day, Recommendations, St. Valentine's Day, Valentine's Day, White Day | 1 Comment »

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Let Us Know about Gifts Given for Special Occasions in Your Culture!

Marshmallow Day in Japan