December 2017: The Winter Holiday Box

December is the beginning of winter in most of Japan. The days get shorter and colder while the people get busier preparing to send off the old year and welcome in the new one with several traditional events and practices.
Christmas is also one of the events that Japanese look forward to at the end of the year. However, it is celebrated as an occasion to spread happiness among friends and family rather than a religious event.

December Lifestyle Box and Snack Box let subscribers enjoy Japanese winter vibes and seasonal traditions through unique curation of goodies.

Lifestyle Box

1. Mino-yaki Bamboo Sake Bottle (Tokkuri) (1 item)
2. Mino-yaki Bamboo Sake Cups (O-choko) (2 items)
Use this set to serve and drink your sake! Japanese drink hot sake on cold winter evenings. To warm your sake, simply place the sake bottle in a pan of boiling water.The ideal temperature for hot sake is about 50 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit). There are indentations on both sides of the bottle, making it easy to hold. Dishwasher safe.

Originated from Gifu Prefecture, Mino-yaki (Mino ware) is Japan’s most popular pottery. Its history is said to date back to 1300 years ago.

3. Handmade Fuku (good fortune) Daruma Doll (1 item)
Daruma Dolls are one of the most popular talismans of good luck in Japan. Many would buy them at the start of the New Year. These dolls are modeled after Bodhidarma, founder of Zen Buddhism. Their eyes are left intentionally blank, for the owner to paint in. Upon starting a quest or a goal, you’d draw one eye and paint in another one on the completion of your task. Daruma Dolls are also a reminder of resilience. They embody the Japanese proverb: Nanakorobi Yaoki – “Seven Times Down, Eight Times Up”, encouraging you to work hard and stick to your goals even in tough times. When you start working on your resolutions for the new year, don’t forget that you have this Daruma doll by your side. Good luck!

These traditional hand-crafted hariko (i.e. papier-mache) Daruma dolls are made by pasting pieces of paper in layers to make the Daruma shape. This is the most traditional way to make a Daruma Doll!

4. Tsubaki Furoshiki (1 item)
Tsubaki, known scientifically as Camellia Japonica, blossom in winter in hues of white or red. The combination of Tsubaki glossy green leaves and deep red flowers with snow is a significantly popular motif for winter designs. Use this Furoshiki cloth to wrap gifts or decorate your house during the wintertime like a Japanese would do!

5. Christmas Card (1 item)
In Japan, Christmas is celebrated as an occasion to spread happiness & joy among friends and family rather than a religious event. There are 4 card designs available – each featuring dozens of little Santas and famous attractions in Kyoto or Mt. Fuji & Japanese bullet train (shinkansen) in snow.

6. Oshogatsu Sticker Sheet (1 item)
Decorate your journal and postcards with these adorable symbols of Japanese New Year (Oshogatsu)!

7. Nengajo New Year Card (1 item)
Especially from the Kizuna Box Team to you! The card features Year 2018’s zodiac sign – the Dog and the trio of Pine – Bamboo – Plum (Sho-Chiku-Bai), the “Three Friends of Winter,” representing good fortune.

8. Rice Cracker Set (1 set, 3 pieces)
Sakura Shrimp Rice Crakers (1p). Yaoki Rice Cracker (2p). These rice crackers taste good on their own and also go well with sake!

Number of items: 9. Total Retail Price: $61

Snack Box

1. Ginnobudo Matcha Chocolate Sandwiches (2p)
The latest product from the famous heart-infused wafer cookie product line of Ginnobudo. This product line is only available to purchase at JR Tokyo Station in Tokyo. Common Allergens: Eggs, Milk, Peanuts, Soy & Wheat.

2. Uji Matcha Choco Rusk (2p)
A seasonal flavor of Tokyo Rusk – a well-known rusk brand of Tokyo. Common Allergens: Milk, Soy & Wheat.

3. Matcha no Fuku Cookie (2p)
A seasonal limited product of Kamakura Goro – a Kamakura-based confectionery company. Common Allergens: Eggs, Milk, Soy & Wheat.

4. Hana Kamakura Cookie (4p)
Yet another seasonal limited product of Kamakura Goro. Available in 2 flavors: Matcha & Sakura. Common Allergens: Eggs, Milk, Soy & Wheat.

5. Yaoki Rice Cracker (3p)

6. Oshogatsu Sticker Sheet (1 item)
Available in 2 variations, both featuring the most iconic symbols of Oshogatsu!

7. Koikeya Premium Shrimp Snack (1 pack)
Koikeya is a major Japanese snack food manufacturer that takes the lead in developing a new generation of premium snacks. Common Allergens: Chicken, Gelatin Milk, Pork, Shrimp & Soy.

8. Tohato Poteko Potato Rings Christmas Special Edition (1p)
This special Four Cheese Gratin flavor of Poteko – a popular snack brand – is only available for Christmas. Common Allergens: Chicken, Milk, Soy, Wheat.

9. LOOK Strawberry Chocolate (1p)
A seasonal product of LOOK – the chocolate brand of Fujiya. Four different flavors available in this delicious pack – each comes from a type of strawberries. Common Allergens: Milk & Soy.

10. Strawberry Chocolate Covered Wheat Puffs (1 pack)
A seasonal product of Terasawa – a confectionery company established in Tokyo in 1953. Common Allergens: Milk, Soy & Wheat.

11. Pocky Strawberry Chocolate Stick (2p)
Pocky debuted in 1966 as the world’s first chocolate-coated biscuit sticks. Common Allergens: Milk, Soy & Wheat.