I have been trying to mail a huge stack of Christmas and New Years cards for two weeks now, but the school shop is consistently out of stamps and I haven’t made it to a post office yet. They’re going to be late, although I managed to squeeze three or four out of the country. I have also received a couple of Christmas cards, all of which were early (and cute). This is provoking an early New Year’s resolution to get xmas letters prepared early in 2010. We’ll see.
Students really love to get mail. Really, doesn’t everyone like to get something that is not a bill, even if it is only a couple of lines? We don’t send letters for correspondence much anymore these days, even though a physical note holds so much more emotional gravity than an email or tweet, at the cost of a stamp. Well, for exchange students this is even more important, especially if it is the student’s first time living or even traveling in a foreign country.
After being on the receiving end of two Christmases abroad as a student, and a few years as a student, I have had an interesting perspective on the whole long-distance gift giving thing. I’d like to provide some pointers for anyone with a friend or loved one abroad over a holiday or birthday. Some of these will also apply to those going to school away from home, even if they’re still living within the country.
Something that reminds your student of home, be it related to their family, an inside joke, domestic snacks or the critical ingredient in a national food. Even small decorations for a holiday to brighten up her or his living space will likely be appreciated. Bear in mind that whatever you send, the recipient is going to then be stuck with unless it is something consumable (food, bath products, incense). That means that they’re either going to pay to ship it home, lug it back themselves, or pass it on before they leave. I personally found that those gifts I could use or share with my classmates were often the best appreciated gifts, even though they were not always the most expensive for the gift giver to provide.
In the case of food, it is best to send items with a moderate shelf life. Also, the item doesn’t absolutely need to be something from home, if it is something that your recipient cannot acquire in their home abroad. When I was living in Osaka my family would sometimes send me chips and salsa – something from Mexico cuisine rather than my own, but my most beloved snack, and one that I could only acquire with great difficulty (& great expense) at the time. But also, something that is easily shared can be great – the exchange students in my apartment building in 2006 would get together for what amounted to a multi-cultural pot luck, each cooking or providing snacks from their respective native countries (the Swedes in my experience aren’t terribly impressed with grits 笑).
Long Distance Gift Suggestions:
- non-perishable foods
- electronic gift cards (ex. amazon, but make sure it will work where they are)
- gifts that don’t require shipment (for example, humane gifts!)
- native-language reading material (if they are in a county that speaks something else)
- a card – consider including a cash gift, even if only to be saved by the student
- flowers! (easily ordered online for local delivery)
The bottom line for giving to someone abroad is practicality. In my opinion it is best to send things that will be useful, and are of a reasonable enough size to ship in terms both of bulk and shipping cost. Also, be cognizant of the length of their stay – if they will not be staying for long, and you have a bigger gift idea you may want to give their gift upon their return. Also, if they’re staying for a long time, some otherwise impractical gifts might become useful and appreciated, such as household items. My grandmother once sent me a one-egg pan – and I used it for one year before passing it on to another student prior to the end of my exchange.
Happy giving! Remember that they’ll probably be happy to get anything at all!
As we live in such a diverse world, I believe it is okay to say Happy Holidays!
I hope that each and every one of you have an enjoyable holiday season, well spent with those you love. I am very grateful to have been able to speak with many of my family and friends online, and for the extreme generosity I have been shown this year. Thank you, everyone.
♥シル
The second snow came this week after dark, and we watched the snow fall in a huge, thick shower of flakes. The light of the lamppost reflected off of each falling spot, creating an otherworldly affect – it almost felt like flying. The next morning we took a walk through the snow, and admired the frosted look it gave to the surrounding mountains. This was not my first snow, but it was certainly the most magical yet. And I am looking forward to the build up of snow that should occur in the coming months – this is “雪国 (yukiguni)” or Snow Country after all.
When I signed up for my cell phone plan, I had brought a friend and we signed up together since she speaks absolutely no japanese and I speak enough to discuss cell phone plans. It just so happened that the carrier, Softbank, was in the midst of a campaign that we qualified for, and I was sent a gift from Softbank. Now, Japan is pretty well known for both cute (“かわいい”) things, and absurd things, and almost as frequently for things that are simultaneously absurd and adorable. This is one such case.
First though, for background information, Softbank has a long-standing series of commercials involving a family of four. Aya, her brother “oniisan,” mama and tousan (dad). It just so happens that the dad is a very handsome white dog. Here is one commercial that was running when I lived in Osaka a few years ago:
So, a few weeks after getting my phone, I received a package with a photo of oniisan (the brother) plastered on the outside of the box. And what was inside?
No, that’s not merely a cute stuffed animal version of their beloved commercial personality, Tousan (dad). That’s actually a strap designed to dangle off of your cell phone. No, seriously. It is so hilarious, and so ridiculous that you can’t help but smile when you see it. Oh, and did I mention that he talks when you wag his tail? Yeah, this is the talking huge Tousan strap. I really enjoy his blank expression and red beret. I went to Trivia night with him attached to my phone, and someone’s tiny toddler came up and hugged and petted him for more than 10 minutes. It was precious.
photo by Jerusalem
