OSeibo Or Japanese End of Year Gift Giving : お歳暮　おせいぼ

Gifts! But Not From Santa.

OSeibo are gifts for the certain special business associate

Oseibo is the Japanese end of year gift giving tradition usually of a subordinate to a superior in a hierarchy. For example workers give their boss a present, or a company manager will receive presents from those that work under them. It can also be between business partners and family members. Traditionally it was a gift or a visit, but today the gift is usually bought and packaged in a department store just for this purpose and is sent out via a currier service. The gifts are usually boxes of some supply such as soap, or cooking oil, beer and coffee, etc. Sometimes the person in charge of giving out a license for some purpose will receive such gifts from those that rely on these licenses, though today this practice is not considered acceptable.

Where and When Can I purchase OSeibo?

OSeibo can be found at just about any large department store or chain mall such as AEon or Ito Yokado. You could even find catalogues for OSeibo at convenience stores such as 7-11, Lawson’s, and Family Mart. They sale of OSeibo usually starts at the beginning of November, but at some places it begins a little earlier. The customer chooses the present and presents it to the person at the register. They pay for it, then they fill out the details of the order such as the recipient, the recipient’s address, a holiday message, etc. Many times the customer can also choose the delivery date. And they are done! Easy!