As we pull out our coats and scarves from our closets, many of us are probably thinking about Christmas presents. Whether you're excited about choosing a gift or feeling overwhelmed because you don't know what to pick, we want you to find the perfect present! That's why we gathered "Isetanistas," who love Isetan Shinjuku, for a roundtable discussion on choosing gifts. In the second part, a category specialist from Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building a professional in choosing gifts for men, will appear. Together with the struggling "Isetanistas," we'll actually choose gifts at Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building . This year has been full of irregularities and hardships, so why not give a wonderful gift to your partner, family, or male friends to show your appreciation for their hard work throughout the year?

Urgent summons! Isetanista, how do you choose gifts for men?

We've gathered five Isetanista members for this event. Each of them seems to have anxieties and worries related to gift-giving.

---When do you all give gifts to men?

Yuki's birthday and Christmas are definitely the most important occasions. But for Christmas, she always says, "I don't need anything extravagant," but I still struggle to decide!

Even if Jenya says "it's nothing special," it's still difficult to know just how "nothing special" is acceptable (laughs). I also think Christmas presents should be special, so I always struggle to decide.




Azusa, I have many foreign friends, so I put extra effort into Christmas. It's a little different from Japan; it's more of a time to spend with family than with your significant other.

You're right, Zhenya . Christmas is for family, so that might influence how we choose presents. In my home country of Russia, people also buy things that everyone can share as gifts.


Azusa, you're right! Personally, I'd like to give gifts that create a romantic atmosphere, but I always struggle with what to do.

Yurie, my boyfriend's Christmas and birthday are close together. I always have to rack my brain trying to figure out what presents to give him for each occasion. I gave him this for his birthday, so I'm wondering what to get him for Christmas. I usually end up thinking of them as a set.

Seiko, that's a tough one. I also give presents to close friends at Christmas. I often end up giving them things I like myself, though.

---When do you all start thinking about Christmas presents each year?

Seiko, for me, it's when I start receiving direct mail related to year-end gifts (laughs). It's like I'm thinking, "Oh, it's that time of year again," and I reluctantly get myself moving.

I understand how Yuki-san is reminded of the changing seasons. I also start paying attention to them once December arrives.



Yurie, my birthday is before Christmas, so I think about presents at the same time. When I start to feel a chill in the air, my mind switches to thinking about presents.

Azusa, you're amazing for preparing so early!




Jenya, once Halloween is over, the town is instantly filled with Christmas spirit, isn't it? That atmosphere gets me excited. When the Christmas cakes for that year start to be announced, the first thing I buy is a cake.

---What are some things you pay attention to or are particular about when choosing a gift?

It's the same with Jenya's cakes, but I always end up choosing things with beautiful packaging. Holiday gifts are all decorated a little more gorgeously than usual, and I think the recipients will be happy to receive them.

Yuki, I always want to make sure that the gifts are things that people will actually use. It seems like a basic thing, but it's actually quite difficult. I keep an eye out for what they might need at that time. Once, I noticed that his skincare products were running low, so I gave him the top-of-the-line skincare product from the brand he was using.

Yurie, that's some amazing research! I bet he was really happy. He often asked me for advice on how to improve his grooming, so I once gave him a bottle of shampoo from uka as a gift. I didn't know what was good in men's cosmetics or what the trends were, so I chose something from a brand I trusted from my own perspective.

Azusa -san (Uka) would be happy to receive that as a gift, even as a woman! It's true that it's hard to grasp men's trends and preferences. I once gave a blouson jacket as a gift, but I didn't know the size, so it turned out the sleeves were too short when he tried it on (laughs).




Yuki, clothes are so difficult to choose, aren't they? That's why I always end up choosing socks or underwear.


It would be fine if it were between Jenya's family, but I might want to avoid giving him underwear as a gift in front of his family! (lol)

Azusa, that's right! (laughs) But the sock idea is great.

Now that I've been part of Jenya's family for so long, I'm running out of ideas for gifts.

Yurie, I also have two consecutive birthdays and Christmas, so I'm seriously in need of something to do next.

Seiko , I tend to give gifts that I personally like and think are good. Also, knowing the recipient's favorite brands makes choosing a present much easier. When I gave a scarf from their favorite brand, they were very happy. Speaking of failures, I once gave a hand-knitted sweater as a gift when I was a student...


Everyone: That's amazing!!!

From amusing anecdotes about failed attempts to practical ideas that were well-received, a variety of stories emerged during the roundtable discussion. What became clear was that everyone struggles every year with deciding what to give as a gift. Concerns included "I don't know what men would find useful" and "I don't know what's trending in men's fashion." To help with these concerns, we recommend Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 's category specialists' free attendant service.

Our category specialists, who are experts in men's items, will listen to your concerns and suggest several suitable products. We will also guide you through the store, allowing you to actually handle the products as we assist you.

To be continued...



[Part 2] [In-store experience] What's it really like? Isetanista tries out the Attento service at ISETAN MEN'S store!


Related Article ▶ A must-read for anyone struggling to find a gift for a man! Leave it to the category specialists at Mitsukoshi Isetan.

Find your perfect Christmas present by utilizing the assistance service of category specialists Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building !
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