The first festival refers to the first festival a baby celebrates after being born, and for boys it is the Boys' Festival on May 5th, and for girls it is the Girls' Festival on March 3rd. When you receive congratulations from grandparents, relatives, or friends, it is common to give a "thank you gift" (uchiiwai) to express your gratitude.
■ Timing of return
Gifts in return for a first festival celebration should be sent within one week after the festival, or at the latest within one month.
If you include a photo of the baby taken on the day of the festival, it will convey the feeling of the seasonal event and will be even more appreciated.
■ Estimated amount of return gift
The general guideline for returning a gift is to give something that is about one-third to one-half the amount of the gift or amount received.
If you receive an expensive gift, it is best not to try to match the amount, but to express your gratitude by including a polite thank-you note and a photo.
■ A gift that will be appreciated
For seasonal events, it is recommended to choose items that convey a sense of the season and the family's consideration for the occasion.
●Assorted Japanese and Western sweets ●Red and white rice cakes and red rice ●Catalog gifts and towel sets ●Gifts with baby photo cards and photo frames
Also, when choosing food, choosing items that will last a long time and are individually packaged will show the other person that you are considerate.
[Gifts in return if you participate in the First Doll Festival celebration]
If you invite relatives or friends to your First Festival celebration and they participate in the celebration in addition to giving gifts, you will need to give more polite and thoughtful gifts in return.
● If there is a dinner party
If you invite them to a meal, that is considered "hospitality," so a separate expensive gift may not be necessary. In that case, preparing a small souvenir (baked goods, goods with photos, red and white manju, etc.) will leave a good impression as a thoughtful gesture.
If you are unable to prepare it in advance, you can convey your gratitude more clearly by giving a commemorative gift or a box of sweets at a later date.
In such cases, a polite and heartwarming way to express your gratitude is to send a photo message card or letter with words of gratitude such as, "Thank you for taking the time to celebrate the baby's festival with me despite your busy schedule."
■ Finally: Appreciation and seasonal changes are important
When it comes to returning a gift for the first festival, the most important thing is whether or not you convey your gratitude, rather than the amount or the format.** Carefully conveying your gratitude to those who attended and gave gifts for their joy in your baby's growth will also help you build good relationships with them in the future.
