Gift giving season - as they say in Japan

In Japan, they don't mess around with the ambiguity of the occasion. In the summer and December it is gift giving season. There was a time in my life when I worked for a Japanese company and had many Japanese friends. There were specific rules about what is given. It is usually an edible item that is beautifully boxed and each item inside is individually wrapped.

In the United States, not only is there ambiguity of whether to gift people, but also one does not know if they will receive a gift from another.

There is also the awkwardness of being an over-gifter to someone who has nothing for you or being surprised by a gift without one ready to give back. Although I do not have a problem with the latter as I can always send a gift later.