Omiage...wrapped?

[dreamer]

Hello everybody !

As some might remember, I will be going to Japan as part of an exchange program for one year, in order to start learning the language.
I was just by the center told that my landlord (and future work colleagues) will be expecting some gifts...
The lady was talking about omiage (unless my memory fails me), so my question is the following:
Do I need to wrap them?
Also, I was thinking about some nougats (french candies) as well as some eiffel tower keychains and little things like that...is that suitable?

[Mike Cash]

Yes, wrap them. The neater and prettier the better.

[Glenski]

Just don't use red and white wrapping paper, as that's used for weddings.

[ArmandV]

That's one really cool thing about Japan, go into a gift store and buy something and they'll nicely wrap it for you.

[ASHIKAGA]

As a child, I used to love receiving Omiyages from my uncle who traveled alot.
I especially enjoyed ones from abroad still in the bags from the store where they had been bought even when they were from drug stores / supermarkets. Sometimes, they were wrapped in a piece of newspaper. It was a thrill to see the exotic letters on those bags and newspaper wrappings. I remember thinking, "oooooohhhhh~~~~ this is from a foreign country.... A foreign person was holding this not too long ago!". :blush:

[dreamer]

Ghh...bad news for me since I am really bad at wrapping...but I guess I'll try to buy something in town and do it once I've landed...or I can try to ask someone else...well anyway, thanks for the answers >_<

[Emoni]

Buy the wrapping paper before you go to Japan. Japanese wrapping paper sucks and is over priced.

[Akakubisan]

I usually try to get them in small paper bags (nice paper bags with handles) with paper (tissue type) on top. This seems to go over well. Similar to Ashikaga's post above.
Of course wrapping is nice as well, but is not required if it looks nice and exotic. Just don't hand over something in a plastic bag, remember the nice/exotic part.

My girlfriend tends to get the bags from the store while buying and repackage later. So they look nice, but also has the store name on the bag. It's the image, especially if the store is not something available in Japan.

Of course as a foreigner, just giving omiyage is good. People in Japan expect, but don't completely expect from foreigners, so (my personal belief) you make points for giving, no matter if it is perfect or not. You don't lose out by trying.

In addition, little things work well, especially food items that can be shared. Local candies, etc. from your country that can only be acquired there. I like giving food type items because a family or office will tend to all share and try what you give. That way everybody gets something and you don't have to get everybody something. (it would be hard to pack all the stuff to come otherwise)

Good luck

[dreamer]

Well...I brought with me some Nougats candies which I hope will please the people.
Also, I just went to Shibuya this afternoon and bought some gift bags (about 400¥) that will *I hope* give a good effect to the candies.