What do you think of the evolving “Reiwa Otoshidama”?
There are signs of change in New Year’s gifts, which used to be customary to hand over cash in a pocket bag (Photo: Shironagasukujira/Shutterstock.com)
Go to gallery page
Speaking of the New Year, it’s Otoshidama. New Year’s gifts, which were something you looked forward to as a child, can feel like a bit of a burden when you’re the one to give them. I’m sure there are quite a few readers like that. As the way we use money is changing, with the spread of cashless payments, what do other people think about New Year’s money and how do they give it to others? Just before the “real” event, we will present examples of unique ways to give New Year’s gifts and the true feelings towards New Year’s gifts. Please help me.
(Satoko Morita: freelance writer/editor)
Otoshidama dates back to the Middle Ages
There are only a few days left until 2023. New Year’s Day will arrive after a few more nights of sleep. Otoshidama is an essential New Year’s tradition for families with children.
The origins of Otoshidama date back to the Middle Ages. Apparently, during the Edo period, there was a custom where the head of a family would cut a rice cake called “Otoshitam”, which was offered to the god of the year who came from a high mountain with a year’s worth. of good luck, into small pieces and distribute them to the family. The current practice of money transfer began 60 to 70 years ago, during the high economic growth period of the Showa era.
New Year gifts are also changing with the trend towards cashless payments.
The use of person-to-person money transfer apps such as PayPay and LINE Pay is increasing rapidly, and according to PayPay, the number of money transfers believed to be New Year’s gifts rose between January 1 and 3, 2023 156 % compared to the same period last year.
The number of people using money transfer apps to send New Year gifts is also increasing. An image is an image (Photo: sleelow/Shutterstock.com)
Go to gallery page
With PayPay, if you send money using a special “Pochibukuro”, you will receive a “New Year’s lottery”.
According to the results of the “Awareness Survey of Cashless New Year Gifts and Gifts” released by Ateam on December 21, 88.0% said they intend to give their New Year 2024 gift in cash. Cashless payments are still generally in the minority, but using these payment services has the advantage of making it easy to send New Year’s gifts to nephews, nieces and grandchildren who live far away and cannot meet them in person, and it is expected to become more. wide in the future.
(About “Ateam non-cash donations”)
Payment service providers have also been focusing on capturing the demand for New Year gifts in recent years.
For example, PayPay is running a “New Year lottery” campaign until January 14, 2024, where senders and receivers can earn up to 10,000 points when they send money using a special “Pochibukuro”. Starting in December, PayPay has also implemented changes to encourage the use of New Year’s gifts, such as a feature that allows users to send PayPay preferentially that can be converted into cash.
(About “Otoshidama Lottery” by PayPay)
Under such circumstances, what do the adults who give the gifts think about New Year’s gifts?
#university #students #Year #gifts #Cashless #bonusrelated #type.. #situation #Years #gifts #developing #Years #gift #JBpress
