A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Thank you for checking Miko's blog in this year!
It has been over a year since I started blog, still I have a lots of topics
in my head.
Please enjoy my blog from now on!
Anyway, I came around new year's day at my parents house
which is located at Hiroshima-city, Hiroshima prefecture.
From December 31th to January 1st, Hiroshima had a heavy snow.
I enjoyed scenery of snow after a long interval.
( Yes, Hamamatsu doesn't have a snow at all !)
My kids excited their first snow in their life, 
I said many times
" you have to go home, It will be cold soon, Be careful!"
But it was too excited to come home! 
They had been continue rolling snowman,
it became too big to put up snowman's head on it.
Hiroshima city located on the southwest from Hamamatsu.
Here is warm place, but around my
parents house has a big snow about
once a year.
Because of there is a secluded
place in the mountains.
My mother decorated entrance with new year's style.
Shellfish in front of flower arrangement and small Kite on the wall
are lucky ornaments.
Family and relatives were came around,
we ate "Oseti" ( festival food for the New Year) together.
We drink a sip of Japanese sake 
for a toast in reallly.
It called " Otoso".
However, there are many young people who doesn't
drink Japanese sake, so we drink a toast with champagne
in these years.
I think "Oseti" is good with wine
and beer.
Children are looking forward to get " Otoshidama".
Children are given about 3000yen small money by adult at New Year's day
from long time ago.
Above picture is " Potibukuro" ( tiny envelop).
Adult put new money into this small envelop and then give it to children.
Children can get "Otoshidama" from uncle, neighbors and so on.
And then, they goes to city for buy toys which they really wanted to buy
in this day.
But they already got Christmas present before the New Years'day.
Besides,parents bought toys to them normaly.
Therefore, they are not so excited with "Otoshidama" anymore.
When my father was child, "Otoshidama" was the only money he could use
with free once a year.
Now, this custom was changed completely.
......But when they get "Otoshidama", they hold envelop with both hands and bow,
It seems they are still very Japanese!!
We usually put some presents and chocolates under the New Year tree. Children look forward for the presents and early in the morning they hurry to check them. They are happy to find some toys or, when they grow older, some money :).
Wow! It like Christmas event!
Eather way, children loves this kind of event very much.
I wish I could get some present, not money,,,
I know its late, but happy new year! Best wishes!!
I don't think it late! Thanks a lots. Happy new year too!
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Sorry to being away for so long, I have changed my workplace and had to discober new things :)
Happy new Year Miko to you and your family!
Unfortunately we do not have such a nice tradition in Hungary like the Otoshidama. Someone receives money from relatives if they do not know what to buy :) Generally I receive money too from my Mum, or she asks me to buy the present for me. I agree with you: I wish they were creative enough to buy present for me :D
I love watching TV episodes online. Whoever came up with this idea is a genius!
happy new year too!
yes, I think we are happy with this habit.
I hope you spend a nice new year too.
Stumbled upon your blog through digg.com and I'm glad I did :). Keep up the good work !
Good post, thanks