Translation guide
In Japan, New Year's gifts are deeply tied to cultural traditions. The most common is お年玉 (otoshidama), money given to children in small envelopes. There are also お年賀 (onenaga), year-end or New Year gifts exchanged between adults, and seasonal greeting gifts. This guide explains how to express these concepts naturally.
The most common New Year's gift in Japan: cash given to children by parents, relatives, or family friends.
Money given to children in small decorative envelopes (ポチ袋) during the New Year holiday. This is the standard term.
おじいちゃんからお年玉をもらった。
I received otoshidama from my grandfather.
今年はお年玉をいくらあげようかな。
I wonder how much otoshidama I should give this year.
The small decorative envelope used to give otoshidama. Often mentioned when discussing the presentation.
かわいいポチ袋を買ってきた。
I bought some cute pochibukuro (money envelopes).
A gift given at the end of the year or beginning of the new year to express gratitude, often to superiors, clients, or acquaintances.
A gift given during the first few days of the New Year, typically when visiting someone. Often food, drinks, or household items.
取引先にお年賀を持っていく。
I will bring a New Year's gift to our business client.
A year-end gift given in December to express gratitude for the past year. Not strictly a New Year's gift, but closely related in timing and purpose.
お歳暮にビールを贈った。
I sent beer as a year-end gift.
A small gift or souvenir brought when visiting friends or family during the New Year holiday.
A somewhat formal term for a gift brought during a New Year's visit. Less common in casual conversation.
お年始の品として和菓子を持参した。
I brought Japanese sweets as a New Year's visit gift.
お年玉 is exclusively money for children. お年賀 is a gift (usually goods) for adults, given during New Year visits. Do not confuse them.
子どもにはお年玉、上司にはお年賀。
Otoshidama for children, onenaga for your boss.
Simply saying 'New Year's gift' as 新年の贈り物 is not idiomatic. Use the specific terms above depending on the context.