Summertime Gifts

A truck like this delivered a box to our house. This is a delivery service called Pelican.




A business assoicate of Papa's sent it to us. The box was full of cookies, cakes and jellies like Jell-o.

In the summer, gifts are given to show appreciation. The gifts are usually food or drink items, soap, or even household cleaning items. (We got a nice box of laundry detergent one year.) Department stores and grocery stores have big displays and an ordering service where you can have the gifts delivered.

I want to point out that the gift was partially wrapped. When I first came to Japan these gifts were carefully and completely wrapped. Even purchases you made at a department store were wrapped. Each store had its own design. Clerks were trained how to wrap packages using only one piece of tape. My sister kept the wrapping paper of a purchase so she could learn how to do it. Now, items are just placed in bags.




This tin of cookies was hand delivered by Papa's aunt. It was plainly wrapped. Grandfather passed away three years ago in July. For the anniversary of his death, relatives came to pray for him. Some brought boxes of things to eat. Others sent boxes of summer fruit.