Kurisimasu is coming. . .

and I have gotten some of my presents already!
One of them being an amazing Furuba shirt depicting Yuki and Kyou.
YAY.
For those of you who celebrate as well, what would you like to find under the Kurisimasu tree?
For those of you who don't celebrate. . .well. . .what are your New Year resolutions?

Oh, and I'm Taylor; make me feel welcome !

Hello Tay. I not sure if you man or woman but hello is same. I am ninja of Japan and want introduce you many tradition thing of Japan. Please to meet you.
In Japan tradition there exist no Christmas. But foreign culture bring many of things to Japan for example the Christmas, chocolate, foreign women, atom bomb and etc. Many people of Japan feel happiness about many foreign items in Japan. I not feel so happiness because Japan traditional things best for Japan. But I no angry.
In Japan the Christmas is not same as the Christmas of foreign peoples. We have no custom of large bird like turkey. In Japan oven not so big so no possibility for cook it. We also not give present to all peoples. Only some of children get present on Christmas in Japan. Sometime Japan salaryman give himself present of young girl but that not special thing to Christmas. That happening all of year.

Hello, Taylor! Nice to meet you too.
Also, welcome to JREF!
I'm so happy for you that you already got your presents, and that the present is Furuba shirt!
I like your avatar too!

Okay, Christmas...
I don't celebrate it any more... I used to give and receive presents when I was younger....
But I am not going to give any presents to anyone, and I don't think the Santa Claus will get me one either. ^^;

To me, New Year's Eve and New Year's day seems more like a big event than Christmas, because we have school/work on Christmas...it's not a national holiday in Japan. -_-;

Unfortunately I cannot celebrate this coming New Year's day as I am in mourning, but usually I go to a party on Eve, visit shrine after midnight, and then visit my family the following day to wish them a happy new year and have a traditional Japanese dishes for new year's day.
New year's resolution... Hmmm, not decided yet. ^^;

By the way, Shin'ichi, you see the little icon (♂♀) under "Location" below avatar, that tells you if they are male or female.

Anyway, happy Christmas to you all.

Cue

As I recall, although Christmas was not an official holiday in Japan, some of the general cultural elements connected with Christmas had been introduced into Japan, particularly Santa Claus and the Christmas tree (which is actually of European Pagan origin). Seasonal decorations (at least in the Tokyo/Yokohama/Yokosuka area) were common enough. In fact, Wako department store (at Ginza 4-Chome Crossing) did what was recognizably a Christmas theme in its main window. Check the animation on their web site's home page (I can't add links to third-party web sites, so this will be in text):
shop.wako.co.jp/ecvm?cmd=init

Gomen

Tsk, tsk. My manners temporarily abandoned me. Welcome to the forum!

Wow, I'm learning so much already about culture! I did not expect anyone to give me an explanation of the role of Christmas in Japanese culture.
But that's what I got!
Yeah Anohito, that website kinda screamed "Christmas!" at me.
I'm pretty glad that I joined the forum now. And thanks for welcoming me!

To Cue: forgive me for unearthing the topic of mourning for you. . .I can't even sympathize, for I have never been in mourning. I want you to persevere; what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger!

Shinichi, thank you for explaining Japanese culture to me regardless of your touchiness on the subject of foreign traditions in Japan! I'm glad you post here, I can definitely learn from you. . .I already have a question!
About this bringing home of young girls. . .I don't quite understand. The working men take young girls, to whom they are strangers, home with them?

And to Shinichi and Anohito: What are your New Year resolutions!?

No, no, it's alright, Tay. It's my problem and it's me who wanted to respond to your post. ^_^
Yeah, seeing someone passing away is very sad, but everyone passes away soon or later. I'm sorry that I brought up depressing story myself.
I hope you and your family are doing well and have a happy Christmas holiday.

Sorry, Tay, but I don't do New Year's resolutions!

Apparently Shinichi doesn't either.
Well, it's all good!

Apparently Shinichi doesn't do the resolution thing either.
Well, it's all good! Thanks for the warm welcome!

Hello and welcome, new person. Welcome to the site and enjoy your stay at Jref.