You know it¡¯s December in Japan when the department stores are packed with ¤ªšrĺ (o-seibo, year-end gift) shoppers, most of whom are businesspeople who¡¯ll have to make their end-of-year °¤Þٻؤê (aisatsu mawari, greeting rounds) for their clients, gift in hand.
In Japan, ¤ªšrĺ and °¤ÞÙ (aisatsu, greetings) are among the oldest traditions in the book. Typical ¤ªšrĺ are seasonal foods and/or alcohol, like a box of beer cans or a big bottle of sake. In the summer, the same gifts are called ¤ªÖÐÔª (´Ç-³¦³ó¨±²µ±ð²Ô, mid-year gifts).
When giving a gift, the verb to use is Ù›¤ë (okuru), a homonym of the verb Ëͤë(okuru, to send). Maybe it¡¯s just me but on paper and on the screen, Ù›¤ë looks more festive and expectant than Ëͤë, which is associated with deliveries and email.
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