How to Buy White Day Triple Return Gifts for Women

In Japan, it's the Valentines Day custom for women to give chocolate to men. Payback comes later, on March 14, the holiday known as White Day. Men are expected to give "triple return" gifts (worth 3 times the value of the original gift) to the women who gave them Valentines chocolate. Here's what to keep in mind when buying White Day triple return gifts for the women in your life.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Consider your obligations. Be aware of which women gave you Valentine chocolate, why they gave it to you and how much the chocolate was worth. You may have received "honmei-choko" from your wife or girlfriend, "tomo-choko" from women friends or family members and "giri-choko," or "dutiful chocolate," from employees or students. Your White Day triple return gifts should be appropriate to the status your relationship with the recipients, and in each case should cost you three times the estimated price of the Valentine chocolate they gave you.
2. Go with white candy if you want to be traditional. The White Day holiday originated with a marshmallow manufacturer who wanted to promote his product. You can give traditional marshmallow confections or go with the more popular alternative, white chocolate. Flowers, white or multicolored, are another traditional White Day gift; in a recent survey, Japanese women listed flowers and a card as their favorite White Day triple return gifts.
3. Do not be restricted by marketing. Just because White Day began as a candy promotion doesn't mean you have to limit your triple return gifts to sweets. The women in your life (especially those to whom you are close, such as your loved one or mom) will be thrilled to receive any token of your affection, as long as it meets the three-times-multiple obligation. You might choose to gift her with her favorite fragrance, jewelry, fashion accessories or any item of sentimental value.
4. Pay attention to the presentation. Your White Day gifts should be carefully wrapped and decorated, and you should write cards to accompany them (with messages appropriate to the relationship, of course). If you live in Japan or other parts of Asia where White Day is popular—Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan—you'll find White Day triple return gifts on display everywhere in early March, beautifully packaged. If you live in the US, look for White Day triple return gifts in cities with Japanese or Korean shopping centers, or online at sites like JapaneseGifts.com.