Friday, February 05, 2010

February Giveaway

70% of Japanese women would rather Valentine's Day was not celebrated in Japan.

50% of Japanese men like Valentine's day. Why? It's all in the marketing. It seems that manufacturers knew that Japanese men would never go for "buying chocolate" for women "just because"....Valentine's Day was destined not to succeed. THEN....the marketing changed.

On Valentine's Day in Japan, the WOMEN buy chocolate for their husbands and loves. On the average they spend Y3000 for chocolate on Valentine's Day. They also buy "giri-choco" - obligation chocolate. According to Yahoo!Japan the average female spends Y760 on giri choco. She is expected to buy chocolate for the men at work etc.

HOWEVER - in 1978 a clever businessman introduced White Day in Japan. White Day, celebrated on 14 March, is spreading to other Asian countries (South Korea and Taiwan). On White Day, the MEN buy WHITE chocolate and WHITE marshmallows for the women who bought them chocolate on Valentine's Day.

Clever isn't it? Culture being what it is, a man may not think to go buy sweets for a lady, but he is SURE to obligated to give her a gift if she gives him one. Info for this comes from Kim (has lived here since 1995), Misawa Spouse Connection newsletter and Akiko (Japanese Citizen).

February's giveaway is going to center on Valentine's Day. Please share your best tips for celebrating Valentine's Day. One of my daughters calls Valentine's Day "National Single Awareness Day".....but really even singles can share in this giveaway. Leave a comment about how you celebrate or your favorite Valentine's day or tips for celebrating - with adults or kids - to be entered. YOU MUST LEAVE A COMMENT THAT RELATES in some way to the theme of the giveaway.

Below are the items I've picked up so far. I'm still looking for a few more items.
From 2010-02-10
If you win this month's giveaway you agree not to enter another giveaway for three months, Feb. 2010 winner won't enter until June 2010. A post or comment below will earn you an entry. If you blog about the giveaway and link to it, then post a link to your post here, you'll earn a second entry.We'll randomly choose a winner on or after noon 27 Feb JST. I hope to post a new giveaway in the first week of each month. . . grace ladies...show me grace. ::snort::

If you are selected as a winner, you will have one week to send me your home address. I will not store your address in any form. I cannot even find my personal address book since our move. ::snort::

You do not have to be a blogger to enter. Leave your thoughts in the comment section to earn an entry. I reserve the right to discontinue Giveaway or change the rules at any time.

Have fun!
Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

New Taste Treat

This post is for Liz. Is this availabe in America?
From 2010-01-29-31
I suppose this qualifies as a "mixed review"?
From 2010-01-29-31

They are orange m/m's. They're not bad. They taste a lot like those Chocolate Oranges that folks get at Christmas. Kim brought these with her last weekend.


Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...