To have a merry little Christmas
Once upon a time I came to Japan. Having a 100% foreigner mindset I waited for December to discover that the essential Christmas must-haves have long been sold. If you’re a foreigner living in Japan and planning to celebrate Christmas, it’s important to keep in mind that the essential Christmas items tend to sell out quickly.
Timing
Book now, be happy when the time comes. I mean it. It’s best to start booking and buying what you need in November, which is the high season for such preparations. By doing so, you can avoid disappointment and ensure a happier holiday season.
Advent calendars
The key to experiencing the magic of Christmas in Japan is to buy and book things in advance. This applies to things like Advent calendars, which come in various forms, such as Lego calendars for kids and tea calendars for adults. It’s important to research and compare the options available on the market, so you can choose the one that suits your preferences. Here are some helpful tips for choosing an Advent calendar:
- Chocolate and other sweets;
- Lots of Japanese makers and makers abroad offer a wide variety of choices from Royce’s calendar to Lind Teddy calendar;
- Non-chocolate makers also go in hand with this new to Japan notion and offer a calendar with cookies and gummies;
- etc.
- Shampoo and Cosmetics;
- Molton Brown’s Limited Edition Advent Calendar;
- Beauty Works Advent Calendar;
- Makeup Revolution You Are The Revolution 25-Day Advent Calendar;
- etc.
- Lego and other stuff for children;
- There’s also sake, coffee, tea, and champaign calendar for those who appreciate;
Festive food
If you’re planning to dine out for Christmas in Japan, it’s important to book in advance. Even if you plan to have a cozy dinner at home, you might not be aware that ordering Christmas food in advance is the norm in Japan. Cakes, chicken, and other traditional dishes for the Christmas dinner table are usually pre-ordered. Many big department stores offer catalogs where you can select the items you want.
My personal recommendation is to book a cake as soon as possible, as they tend to sell out quickly.
Dining out or traveling
This means that it’s important to book your accommodations well in advance if you plan to travel during the Christmas season. Many hotels in popular destinations are fully booked months ahead of time, and those that still have availability often charge higher rates. If you wait until the last minute, you may have a difficult time finding a suitable place to stay or end up paying exorbitant prices. It’s always better to plan ahead and make your bookings early to avoid disappointment.