Gift-giving is an important part of Japanese culture, seen as a way to show appreciation and build relationships. While gift-giving is not traditionally associated with Christmas in Japan, the Western tradition has become more popular, especially among young people. Gifts exchanged during Christmas tend to be small and symbolic rather than extravagant. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on gift-giving in Japan, with social distancing measures and financial struggles reducing its prevalence. Understanding the importance of gift-giving can be crucial for building strong relationships in cross-cultural contexts.