Japanese Weddings gifts (Hikidemono, 引き出物)
In the wedding party, the couple welcomes all the guests, and the reception party is held. Usually the party is visited by about 20 to 200 guests among whom are relatives, friends, co-workers and bosses of the bride and groom. The party normally starts, Nakoudo (or matchmaker is the person that contract a marriage between the man and woman who hope to marry) will introduce the bride and groom.
Afterwards, Guests’ seats are usually arranged according to their relationship with the married couple. Usually a full-course meal is served at the table. After the reception, the guests receive favours and gifts called Hikidemono, which is their “thank you for coming” gift for the guests who have attended their wedding and banquet. By tradition, hikidemono includes sugar or dried bonito flakes (katsuo bushi), which symbolize happiness. Other items like cake, tableware, interiors, and sake are also given as souvenirs. In addition, guests also receive a gift of significant value usually half of the expected cash received by the guest.
In recent years, gift catalogs from which guests can choose gifts are popular as hikidemono. The average cost for a wedding party in Japan is around 2-3 million yen for 100-200 guests.
Tags: ひきでもの, hikidemono, japanese souvenirs, parting gifts, present, thank you gift, wedding party, Weddings gifts, 引き出物
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