1.
reciprocal gift; return gift given to celebrate a happy event
A gift given in return to people who gave congratulatory gifts or money for a happy event such as a birth, wedding, or recovery from illness. Also refers to the practice of sharing one's happiness with close acquaintances.
出産の内祝いを贈った。
I sent return gifts for the baby shower presents.
内祝いには何を選べばいいか迷っている。
I'm unsure what to choose for the return gifts.
結婚のお祝いをいただいたので、内祝いとして半額ほどの品物を用意した。
Since I received wedding gifts, I prepared return gifts worth about half the value.
USAGE:
内祝い originally meant a celebration within the family (内 = within), but in modern usage it almost always refers to the return gift given to those who sent congratulatory gifts.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 出産内祝い (return gift for birth congratulations)
- 結婚内祝い (return gift for wedding congratulations)
- 快気内祝い (return gift after recovery from illness)
- 内祝いを贈る (to send a return gift)
CULTURE:
The standard practice is to give a return gift worth approximately half (半返し) to one-third of the value of the gift received. Popular items include sweets, towels, tableware, and catalogue gifts. The gift is typically accompanied by a のし (decorative wrapper) bearing the words 内祝い.