The eagerly awaited Christmas is just around the corner, marking the beginning of the year-end holidays. As the year draws to a close, many families gather to spend quality time. In Japan, it's also common for families to relax and enjoy each other's company during this period.
 
In this blog post, we will introduce Japanese sweets and snacks that are perfect for sharing with family during Christmas and New Year. In the latter part of the article, we'll also share how Japanese people typically spend Christmas, so enjoy exploring the similarities and differences with your own country.

Zelico's Products Recommended for Christmas

Christmas is a time to spend with your loved ones. Sharing delicious sweets with everyone can make the festive season even more joyful.
 
We'll introduce some delicious Zelico sweets that are perfect for sharing at Christmas parties and gatherings with a group of people.

1) Mire Biscuit

Mire Biscuits are bite-sized biscuits that are quickly deep-fried in oil. Unlike typical biscuits made with eggs and butter, these are made with flour, sugar, salt and shortening.

With a hint of sweetness from sugar and a touch of saltiness, they strike a perfect balance, making you reach out for more. They have a charming round appearance, shaped like a coin, making them suitable for Christmas dessert decoration.
 
Zelico's "Mire Biscuits" come in individually portioned bags, preventing them from becoming stale. You can enjoy their crispy texture anytime.

2) Corn Potage Snack

When it comes to munchies for large gatherings, a popular choice is snack food. Among them, corn potage-flavored snacks are loved by both adults and children due to their simple sweetness.
 
Zelico's "Corn Potage Snack" offers a crunchy texture with the rich flavor of corn potage. If you try one, the rich potage flavor spreads in your mouth, leaving you craving for more.

The generous portion is perfect for sharing with the whole family. In addition to the corn potage flavor, there is also cheese flavor.

3) Japanese Seafood Crackers Kaisen Okonomi

If you want to savor the essence of Japan, we recommend our seafood snacks. Zelico's "Japanese Seafood Crackers Kaisen Okonomi" is a bite-sized senbei (rice crackers) that captures the flavors of seafood harvested in Japan. In one pack, you'll find various seafood crackers, allowing you to enjoy a variety of flavors.

The crackers are seasoned with soy sauce, offering a taste that's not too sweet, suitable for both adults and children. Seafood pairs well with alcohol, making it a delightful drink companion.
 

How Do Japanese People Spend Christmas?

Japanese people, like those in other countries, eagerly anticipate Christmas every year. Christmas in Japan has little religious significance and is often celebrated purely as a seasonal event. Additionally, the excitement tends to build up more on Christmas Eve, rather than the actual Christmas Day on the 25th.
 
Let's explore in detail how Japanese people typically spend Christmas.

1) Christmas Parties with Family and Loved Ones

Japanese families also celebrate Christmas by having parties with their families. In Japan, it's common for households to eat fried chicken instead of turkey. For dessert, families often enjoy cakes decorated with whipped cream or Yule log-shaped cake known as Bûche de Noël (Yule log cake).
 
Parents with young children place presents from Santa Claus by their pillows, after they have fallen asleep. Children waking up, finding presents, and being overjoyed is a typical Christmas morning in Japan.

2) Enjoying Festive Illuminations

For families without young children or singles in Japan, Christmas has become more of a day to spend with their romantic partners. Popular date spots for Japanese couples during Christmas are places with beautiful illuminations and night views.
 
As Christmas approaches, illuminations light up various places across Japan. Some places start decorating as early as November, and you can enjoy colorful and beautiful Christmas-inspired illuminations featuring Santa Claus, reindeer, and more.
 
Unlike in Western countries where many stores close on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day, it's common for stores to remain open on both the 24th and 25th in Japan. As a result, the streets on Christmas Day are bustling with couples enjoying their dates.

3) Exchanging Gifts

This likely is a global tradition, but Japanese people also exchange presents with close friends. Especially for family or romantic partners, many Japanese people express their gratitude by preparing gifts that are slightly more expensive than usual.
 
On the other hand, when exchanging gifts among friends, it is common to decide on a budget in advance and enjoy exchanging gifts within a reasonable range. Finding a gift within the agreed-upon budget that your friend will enjoy is one of the pleasures of exchanging gifts.

Summary

In this blog post, we introduced recommended Japanese sweets and snacks to enjoy during Christmas and the year-end, along with how Japanese people spend Christmas. Everyone around the world shares the idea that Christmas is a special day meant to be spent with loved ones.
 
Why not spend a delightful time with your family enjoying Zelico's sweets and snacks during Christmas and the year-end?