5 Common New Year Mistakes — And How to Avoid Them This Year

Introduction: Are You Making These New Year Mistakes?

Many people hope to spend the New Year perfectly, only to realize later that it was full of regrets—overeating, overspending, rushing preparations, or getting caught in crowds.
The truth is, the Japanese New Year has several predictable “failure patterns” that almost everyone experiences at least once.

This guide introduces five common New Year mistakes and provides practical solutions to help you avoid repeating them.
Read this before the next New Year arrives, and you’ll enjoy the most comfortable and stress‑free holiday you’ve ever had.

Mistake 1: Making Too Much Osechi and Ending Up with Leftovers

A Common Story
A mother prepared more than ten dishes of homemade osechi, only to find that her family of four couldn’t finish even half of it. Much of it ended up being thrown away.

Why This Happens

Following recipe portions without adjusting for your family
Getting overly enthusiastic because it’s New Year
Modern families don’t eat as much traditional osechi as before

How to Fix It

Understand How Much Your Family Actually Eats
Use your regular dinner portions as a baseline.
A realistic guideline:

Adults: about 500g of osechi per person
Children: about 250g per person
Total dishes: 5–7 items are usually enough

Make Only the Dishes Everyone Likes
Ask your family what they actually want to eat. You may discover that some dishes aren’t necessary at all.

Use Half‑Portion Recipes
Cut ingredients and seasonings in half. Many “small‑portion osechi” recipes are available today.

Combine Homemade and Store‑Bought Items
For example:
Homemade → black beans, namasu
Store‑bought → datemaki, kamaboko

Practical Tips for This Year

Create a preparation list with dish names, portions, and budget
Prepare leftover‑friendly recipes (e.g., black bean pound cake, osechi stir‑fry, takikomi gohan)
Freeze leftovers in small portions immediately

Mistake 2: Overeating and Drinking Too Much During the Holidays

A Common Story
A man gained 5kg over the New Year due to nonstop feasts and drinking. By January 4th, he had stomach pain and headaches and ended up at the hospital.

Why This Happens

“It’s New Year, so it’s fine” mindset
Lack of exercise
Continuous parties and family gatherings

How to Fix It

Follow the Right Eating Order

Vegetables
Protein
Carbohydrates (rice, mochi)
This helps control blood sugar spikes and prevents overeating.

Use the “Every Other Day” Drinking Rule
Drink one day, rest the next.
Also drink one glass of water for every glass of alcohol.

Do Light Morning Exercise

15‑minute walk
Quick shrine visit
Radio exercises at home

Keep Digestive Medicine on Hand
Use before meals, after meals, or before bed depending on symptoms.

Practical Tips for This Year

Stop eating at 70% fullness
Avoid eating after 8 p.m.
Alternate “eating days” and “active days”
Weigh yourself every morning to stay aware

Mistake 3: New Year’s Cards Arriving Late

A Common Story
A freelancer started writing New Year’s cards on December 28th and mailed them on December 31st. They arrived late, upsetting clients and friends.

Why This Happens

Underestimating the deadline (must mail by Dec 25)
Trying to do everything in one day
Not updating address lists throughout the year

How to Fix It

Create a Backward Schedule

Mid‑Nov: choose design
Late‑Nov: update address list
Early‑Dec: print or write addresses
Mid‑Dec: add personal messages
Dec 20–25: mail

Update Addresses Year‑Round
Record changes immediately when you receive notices or see updates.

Use Templates
Tools like Japan Post’s design kit or Canva save time.

Use Printing Services
They handle printing, addressing, and mailing.

Practical Tips for This Year

Set a reminder for November 1st
Reduce your recipient list to essential contacts
Consider digital New Year’s cards for younger friends
Prepare a “New Year card kit” in November

Mistake 4: Overspending on Otoshidama (New Year’s Money)

A Common Story
A mother gave otoshidama to 15 children in her extended family. The total exceeded ¥70,000, and with gifts and travel costs, her New Year expenses topped ¥100,000.

Why This Happens

No prior budgeting
Setting amounts too high
Feeling unable to refuse

How to Fix It

Calculate the Total in Advance
List recipients and amounts to avoid surprises.

Know the Standard Market Rates

Preschoolers: ¥500–¥1,000
Lower elementary: ¥1,000–¥2,000
Upper elementary: ¥2,000–¥3,000
Middle school: ¥3,000–¥5,000
High school: ¥5,000–¥10,000

Set Rules with Relatives
Agree on maximum amounts or age limits.

Create an Otoshidama Savings Fund
Save a small amount monthly.

Practical Tips for This Year

Add “otoshidama savings” to your household budget
Prepare envelopes early
Keep extra cash on hand
Consider a “parents only” rule to reduce burden

Mistake 5: Getting Sick After Waiting in Crowded Hatsumode Lines

A Common Story
A student waited three hours in freezing temperatures at a famous shrine on New Year’s Eve and ended up with a fever, spending the holiday in bed.

Why This Happens

Visiting during peak hours
Poor winter clothing
Choosing overly popular shrines

How to Fix It

Visit During Off‑Peak Times
Hatsumode is valid until January 7.
Best times:

Early morning on Jan 2 or later
Weekday afternoons
After Jan 4 (dramatically less crowded)

Choose a Local Shrine
Less crowded, shorter travel time, and equally meaningful.

Prepare Proper Winter Gear

Warm coat
Gloves and scarf
Heat packs
Thick socks
Hot drink in a thermos

Consider Online Shrine Visits
Some shrines offer online prayer and mail sacred items.

Summary: Make This Year’s New Year Stress‑Free

Here are the key takeaways:

Avoid making too much osechi by planning realistic portions
Prevent overeating by following the 70% rule and staying active
Prepare New Year’s cards early and update addresses year‑round
Budget otoshidama in advance and set rules with relatives
Visit shrines during off‑peak times and dress warmly