The feelings you want to convey in a wedding gift
- The basics of gift-giving and considerations -
At a turning point in life like getting married, you may receive congratulatory messages and gifts from many people. "Uchiiwai" is a way to properly convey gratitude for the warm feelings that are contained in each of those gifts.
In this article, we will introduce basic etiquette to keep in mind when giving a wedding gift in return, as well as thoughtful tips to ensure the recipient is pleased.
Why not prepare your gift with a kind heart, not just for the formality sake, but also to subtly convey your feelings for the recipient?
What is Uchiiwai?
Originally, "uchiiwai" was a gift given to share happiness with those around you when something happy happened. In modern times, it has come to mean more of a "gift in return for a gift given to you."
In particular, wedding gifts are one of the first exchanges between couples as a married couple. It is important to carefully convey your gratitude to the person who gave you the gift.
The timing of giving a gift
It is common to give gifts within one month of the wedding ceremony .
If you give us a gift before the ceremony, we will return the gift after the ceremony.
Even if you are late, be sure to explain the circumstances and express your gratitude politely. The important thing is to "properly express your gratitude."
Estimated price
The basic guideline is to give about half the value of the wedding gift you received (half return).
However, when speaking to someone who is your superior, you may think it would be rude to give a gift in return, in which case one option is to only give about a third of the amount , or to just send a thank-you letter .
Although there are standards, don't get too caught up in formalities; make your decision based on your relationship with the other person and local customs.
Gift wrapping etiquette
For wedding gifts, the proper way to do so is to use a noshi paper with 10 red and white mizuhiki strings . The front should say "Naiwai" or "Kekkonnaikai" (Wedding Gift), and the joint names and new surnames of the couple should be written on the bottom line.
Choose packaging with a clean, subdued design. For those who prefer a natural look, wrapping paper made from craft paper or linen is also popular.
Items to avoid and points to note
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It is best to avoid things that are associated with funerals, such as green tea and seaweed .
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If you give something too expensive, it may make the other person feel uncomfortable.
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They will be happy if you choose something that is easy to use and practical , taking into consideration the recipient's preferences and family composition.
Thoughtful message included
To avoid the gift being too formal, we recommend including a handwritten or printed message card.
For example, something like this:
Thank you very much for your warm congratulations. <br>Although it is a small gift, we would like to express our gratitude to you by sending you a gift in return. <br>We look forward to your continued support.
Softening the ending of a sentence without using punctuation is considered a modest gesture in a celebratory document.
summary
Presenting a gift in an uchiiwai is the first step in continuing to nurture the bond with the person who gave you the gift. It is important to prepare carefully and in accordance with etiquette, but more than that, the best gift may be to convey your feelings of "thank you" directly.
A natural and warm return gift that is an extension of everyday life. Try choosing a gift that is full of emotion and aims for that kind of celebration.