White Day

How many of you got chocolates or a gift on Valentine's Day? Those of you with a significant other probably got a card and an arrangement of flowers, and the rest of you bought stuff for yourselves the next day when everything was half price. I think people enjoy Valentine's Day because it only happens once a year. It's not a long commitment, the planing is low stress, and stores help remind everyone of February 14 by stocking their shelves near to bursting with red, pink, and lacy paraphernalia. Everyone enjoys being silly with a significant other on Valentine's Day but it is only once a year. That is, if you live anywhere besides Japan.

Japan has quite an array of holidays, many of which are only celebrated in the country. You won't find holidays like Black Bean Day, where single people have to eat black bean soup, and Kissing Day, where you try to kiss a stranger, anywhere but in Japan. While some of these holidays are quite weird, I recently heard of one that seems pretty tame.

First celebrated in 1977, White Day is the opposite of Valentine's Day in almost every way. Celebrated a month after the red and pink holiday, on March 14, this white-based holiday is supposed to even the playing field when it comes to holiday gift-giving. On White Day, men who received chocolates or gifts from women on Valentine's Day return the favor by presenting gifts of their own. Whether they received Giri-choco, chocolate that is given to male friends or coworkers out of obligation, or Honmei- choco, chocolates given out of romantic affection, men have no excuse to forget this holiday. Weeks before March 14, huge displays of white chocolates appear in every store window, serving not only as a marketing ploy but also as a constant reminder.

While men can buy White Day gifts, handmade items are the most highly praised, so any gift a man gives is typically the work of his own hands. Some popular White Day gifts include white foods like vanilla cake, marshmallows and white chocolate, as well as inedibles, such as jewelry or white clothing.

While it has become popular in the modern age for both men and women to exchange gifts on both holidays, Valentine's Day has remained predominantly a female gift-giving holiday, while White Day is for the men. But aside from that, no matter which love holiday the Japanese are celebrating, sincerity is the driving force of any gift giving. It is considered poor taste to spurn any gift given and a return gift is always expected, whether it is store-bought or handmade. It is also rude to forget either holiday, so remember to mark your calendars and be prepared to get creative when making or purchasing a gift.

Happy White Day, everyone.

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Photo Credit: Kawaii - WordPress.com

Sources Cited:
White Day Surprise! YouTube
Only in Japan