
Christmas Eve in Japan is very much a date night, perhaps the biggest of the year. Couples go to see festive Christmas lights, have a nice dinner and exchange gifts; the night really matters. But about those gifts…
How much money are you planning on spending on your significant other this holiday season? How much are you expecting them to spend on you? If you’re single, how much do you think your potential darling would want to dish out for a Christmas present? A recent poll gives us a great insight into how much we should probably be spending.
According to a study done by MatchAlarm, makers of a matchmaking app of the same name, of the 536 unmarried women surveyed, 48.9 percent do not expect their significant others (or potential ones) to spend more than 10,000 yen (US$100). That’s good news, right guys? Some of these gals cite “the feeling” behind the gift as more important that actual item. The bad news for those of you on a budget is that 42.6 percent expect their loved one to cause some serious damage to their wallets with gifts between 10-30,000 yen (US$100-300). They more or less think, “If they have the money, they’d better spend it.”
Thankfully for Japanese men, there are fewer girls expecting gifts over 30,000 yen.
Here’s the complete breakdown of the results of how much Japanese girls expect their partners to spend on them:
5,000 yen ($50) or less: 11.8%
5,000- 10,000 yen: 37.1%
10-30,000 yen: 42.6%
30-50,000 yen: 6.7%
Over 50,000 yen: 1.9%
Personally, I can’t even fathom my significant other spending more than 10,000 yen, let alone me spending that on them… Which raises another question: Do these girls plan on spending the same amount on the boys?
Are you a “feeling” kind of person, or do you like the expensive stuff? Let us know what you’ll be spending, if anything, on the object of your affections this Christmas.
Top Image: Pixabay (edited by RocketNews24)
Insert: MatchAlarm
[ Read in Japanese ]


How much do fans of boys’ love spend every year on homoerotic comics? The amount may surprise you
How much money should you give children for New Year’s otoshidama? Adults weigh in
How much money are Japanese people willing to lend their romantic partners?【Survey】
Supporting anime/idol crush tops Japanese teen girls’ New Year’s cash spending targets【Survey】
Otoshidama: How kids in Japan get rich once a year
7-Eleven Japan now has ramen machines…but only at 41 stores
Tinder just opened a convenience store in Japan, aimed at adults only
“Disaster”: 2018 Kanji of the Year unveiled by Buddhist monk at Kiyomizudera temple in Kyoto
“They’ve got be kidding me.” – Mayor in Japan fed up with off-season Mt. Fuji hikers needing rescue
Secret staff cafeteria in Tokyo is a hidden gem you won’t find in travel guides
Man tells Nintendo HQ “I’m going to blow you all the hell up,” gets arrested by Kyoto cops
Starbucks Japan adds a new Frappuccino and Milk to the menu, but are they worth the calories?
“Hey, Japanese taxi driver, take us to the best seafood restaurant in Noboribetsu!”
New bounty system starts in Japan, rewards reports of illegal employment of foreigners
Starbucks Japan releases two new “chunky” drinks… and matching gel designs for our nails
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Mt. Fuji hot spring inn gets even more beautiful after dark with Firefly Festival
Does one of Japan’s favorite chocolate brands work with the Pringles chocolate hack?
Japanese criminals are now using crabs to hunt for burglary targets
Japan releases new ramen sandwiches… that don’t taste like ramen
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Japanese Pokémon card shop grabs scissors as part of its plan to keep scalpers away
This train station bento boxed lunch shop has been in business for nearly 100 years
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
How much do Japanese men and women pay on dates? Survey finds large gap
How do young Japanese women spend their hard-earned money to treat themselves?
What do Japanese kids spend their allowance on? Survey finds out
Japanese city abolishes 88th birthday celebratory money gift because people are living longer
Young Japanese women pick least favorite ways they feel pressured to socialize with coworkers
Japanese smartphone users rank the 10 mobile phone games they play the most
Do expensive 10,000 yen Japanese cherries taste better than cheap ones from the supermarket?