Oseibo is one of two traditional gift-giving seasons in Japan, where people send presents to thank others for kindness they have shown during the year. Gifts are mainly consumables or premium foods, and ham, beer, desserts and cooking oil are popular choices. However, the festival appears to have merged with the Western idea of giving Christmas presents, and as Japanese cultural expert Rochelle Kopp writes , oseibo is now more likely to be observed by the older generation.