"Gratitude and Auspiciousness - New Year's Gift 2026" #2 Introducing "lucky flowers" for New Year's gifts in 2026

This Year's New Year Theme: "Medetashi, A Celebration of Gratitude"

The slightly mysterious phrase "Medetashi, medetashi" has been used in Japan since ancient times. Hearing these words evokes a sense of relief and peace, like the end of a story where "everything ended well."

This warm phrase, deeply rooted in the hearts of the Japanese people, is the theme of this year's New Year celebration. "Medetashi, medetashi for this year as well." And "May the coming new year be a wonderful one." It is with these sentiments that the 2025 New Year's gift collection, ＜medetashi＞, was created.

This time, we will delve into each of the auspicious flowers and motifs used in this "medetashi" New Year's gift collection and introduce them in detail.

Auspicious New Year's Flowers – Why Do We Decorate with Them?

First of all, why do we decorate with flowers for the New Year? Of course, reasons include "to celebrate the new year" and "to make the year a wonderful one," but there's actually a deeper meaning.

① To Welcome Toshigami-sama (the New Year Deity)

Toshigami-sama is said to be a deity welcomed and enshrined in homes during the New Year, serving as the guardian of bountiful harvests and also as an ancestral spirit. (Reference: Kotobank Digital Daijisen)

Decorating with flowers for the New Year is done to welcome Toshigami-sama and to pray for happiness and good health throughout the year.

② A Gesture of Hospitality for Guests

In the past, it was customary for relatives to gather at New Year's to exchange greetings. Therefore, a culture developed of tidying up the home and welcoming guests with flowers.

With changes in lifestyle, New Year's flowers are now preferred in stylish designs that blend in with modern rooms. &YOUKAEN also offers New Year's gifts that emphasize "Japanese modern" aesthetics.

Introducing the Auspicious Floral Materials Used in Our 2025 New Year's Gifts

Now, let's introduce each of the auspicious floral materials and motifs used in &YOUKAEN's New Year's gifts.

Pine | A Symbol of Living Vigorously Throughout the Year

Pine, familiar as one of the "sho-chiku-bai" (pine, bamboo, plum), is a symbol of longevity and prosperity due to its fresh green leaves even in winter. It's also a pun on "matsu" (pine) meaning "to wait for good fortune" (fuku o matsu), making it an indispensable floral material for New Year's.

For &YOUKAEN's 2025 New Year arrangements, we use different types of pine, such as Daioh-matsu (Japanese black pine) and Nebiki-matsu (pine with roots). Please enjoy the unique characteristics of each variety.

Nanten (Heavenly Bamboo) | A Lucky Tree that "Turns Misfortune Around"

Nanten is an auspicious tree said to "turn misfortune into good luck" due to the pun "nant-en" (difficulty turns). Its flower meanings include positive connotations such as "good family" and "bringing good fortune."

Its red berries and leaves, which gradient from deep green to bright, are perfect for adding an accent to arrangements. Please enjoy its vibrant colors combined with mums and orchids.

Mums (Chrysanthemums) | Elegant Flowers that Invite Good Fortune

Chrysanthemums, loved in Japan since ancient times, are auspicious flowers that wish for eternal youth and longevity. They are also known as the flower of the "Choyo no Sekku" (Chrysanthemum Festival).

&YOUKAEN's New Year gifts predominantly feature large "decoratively blooming" mums, which are particularly showy among Western chrysanthemums. Their flamboyant and imposing appearance truly makes them the star of the New Year.

Phalaenopsis Orchid | The Flower of "Happiness Flying In"

The Phalaenopsis orchid, as its name suggests, is characterized by its "butterfly-like blossoms." With the flower meaning "happiness flying in," it is a perfect flower for new beginnings and celebrations.

Used in larger arrangements among the New Year's gifts, it creates a gorgeous and luxurious atmosphere.

Auspicious Motifs that Adorn Arrangements

Here, we introduce some traditional auspicious New Year motifs used in conjunction with floral materials.

Mizuhiki | Sacred Japanese Ancient Motifs

Mizuhiki has meanings of "warding off evil" and "connecting people," and has been an essential part of celebrations since ancient times. It is an indispensable motif for expressing the auspiciousness of the New Year.

Gourd | A Symbol of Happiness and Prosperity

Gourds have been cherished as a symbol of good health, prosperity of descendants, and good fortune. Their charming form adds a soft atmosphere and elegant accent to arrangements.

Rice Ears | A Symbol of All Abundance

Rice ears have been loved since ancient times as a motif symbolizing abundance, including bountiful harvests, business prosperity, and increased wealth. The sight of golden rice ears swaying brings to mind the auspiciousness of "Ichiryu Manbai Bi" (a day when a single seed sown can yield ten thousandfold).

&YOUKAEN's Commitment to "Japanese Modern" Finishes

We have introduced seven auspicious items so far, and at &YOUKAEN, we also put great effort into color combinations and design. Because New Year's flowers are a special, once-a-year celebration, we don't just aim for luxurious and festive; we value a "Japanese modern style that naturally blends into your room."

For example, we create a sense of openness while maintaining richness by utilizing the movement of branches and swaying rice ears, or we achieve both luxury and elegance by adding soft white or gold as accent colors.

We strive to retain the inherent beauty of traditional Japanese flowers, while designing them to blend seamlessly with modern interiors.

About New Year's Flower Care

We want you to enjoy your precious New Year's flowers for as long as possible, so we're offering some simple care tips.

Care Tip 1 | Choosing a Location

To make your flowers last longer, avoid placing them in strong sunlight by a window where temperature differences tend to be large, or in direct drafts from an air conditioner. Instead, choose a cool spot.

Care Tip 2 | Watering Every 2-3 Days

Arrangements absorb water from the absorbent sponge hidden in the container, keeping the flowers fresh.

Therefore, unlike bouquets, there's no need for daily water changes or frequent re-cutting of stems. However, if possible, water generously every 2-3 days to prevent the surface of the absorbent sponge from drying out.

Care Tip 3 | Remove Withered Flowers and Leaves

Even a single arrangement uses many types of flowers and greens. Consequently, not all of them will wilt at the same time; they will wither in sequence.

If you notice any withered flowers or greens, it's perfectly fine to remove them.Leaving them can cause them to rot and potentially affect other healthy flowers.

This small effort will keep the arrangement neat and beautiful, allowing you to enjoy it longer.

With "Medetashi" Feelings, Towards a New Year

&YOUKAEN's New Year's gift "medetashi" is not merely extravagant; it is created with the wish that the new year will be healthy, peaceful, and a year that can be described as "medetashi."

We hope that the New Year's flowers, displayed while reflecting on the past year, will gently bring comfort to your heart and the hearts of your loved ones.

May you have a wonderful New Year.