A Summer Difficult for Homecoming: What to Send as a Thoughtful Summer Gift to the In-Laws?

2020.07.18 published

If You Don't Return Home, Should You Send Summer Gifts?

Only a month left until the Obon season.

Given the current situation,

"I was planning to return home, but I was told not to come."

"I'm worried about COVID, so I plan to skip my summer visit."

Many people may feel this way.

In such cases, it's good to remember that

<It's considerate to send summer gifts if you're not returning home.>

Summer gifts are seasonal greetings given to express gratitude to those who have taken care of you, conveying the feeling of "I look forward to your continued support."

Many who visit their parents or in-laws during Obon may not send a gift since they bring a souvenir when they visit, but

if you are not going home, sending summer gifts is a better option.

Adding a message like, "I'm sorry I can't visit this year. I look forward to seeing you again when COVID settles down," makes it polite and could make you seem like a good daughter-in-law＊

If you're worried that "since we're on good terms, suddenly sending summer gifts might feel too formal and surprising!", it's also fine to give a small summer gift without a formal wrapping, to replace the visit you're unable to make.

Regardless of the reason, it's important to convey the feeling, "Even though I can't come home, I care about you."＊

What Gifts Are Well-Received?

Generally, summer gifts range from about 3,000 to 5,000 yen, so thinking within that budget seems reasonable.

✅ Sweets and jelly

✅ Fruits

✅ Meat or fish

✅ Drinks

These are common gifts＊

<My Suggestions for Summer Gifts>

My top recommendation is "Ring Lace Cookies." They are decorated with delicate lace icing and edible flowers, making them a design that sparks joy at first sight♡

The summer gifts usually available at department stores are pretty much the same. There's a view that it's best to choose standard items that appeal to everyone, but receiving such cute cookies from a daughter-in-law would surely tickle the feminine heart.

(I have them at home too, and they're so cute that I felt it was a waste to eat them, so I enjoyed looking at them until just before their expiration date＊)

These are exclusive items that can only be bought at marry's online shop, so not risking giving the same gift as anyone else is also a plus♩

➡ Here is the purchase page

If you're considering ice cream, I'm interested in "Parfait Mignon," newly released from Graciel (an ice cream shop produced by LeTAO, a popular souvenir from Hokkaido)＊

The concept is "Just like a parfait♡," and it looks delicious with ice cream and sorbet packed full of fruit!

At 663 yen for six pieces, it's more expensive than Häagen-Dazs, which might set a high bar for buying it myself, but I'd be incredibly happy to receive it♡

➡ Here is the purchase page

If meat is on your list, I remember a time when my mother was extremely happy when we had sukiyaki at home!

When receiving meat as a summer gift, the responses included "Ham and roast beef are delicious, but there's too much to eat! Please consume them!!", "I received some grilled meat, but finding the right time to eat it is a hassle (preparation and cleaning up afterward…)", and "I froze the individually packaged hamburgers, but as the expiration date approached, should we have hamburgers again today or tomorrow?" indicating a struggle with consumption.

However, when we had sukiyaki, my mother was delighted, saying it’s easier than grilling meat and can be finished in one go!＊

Therefore, if I were to choose meat, I would opt for "sukiyaki."

➡ Here is the purchase page

If You're Not Returning Home, Send Summer Gifts＊

If it weren't for COVID, fireworks festivals and local festivals would be held nationwide as usual.

I believe many are thinking, "I was planning to spend my first Obon as a married person with my in-laws, but it has been canceled."

While it is indeed disappointing not to be able to return home, why not send summer gifts to convey the feeling of, "Let's keep building a good relationship moving forward"?