Posts Tagged ‘gift ideas’

Top Selling Kimono Yukata for November 2021

Sunday, December 5th, 2021

Dragons and cranes and bamboo, oh my.  While it sounds more like Halloween, it’s actually a Christmas trend. That was the current theme in kimono and yukata choices in November. Each month we provide a list of the Best Selling Kimono and Yukata. It’s a fun way to sit back and reflect on current kimono trends based purely on what our customers like and are buying at the moment.

While the trend is sometimes clear, such as a surge in short length kimono or Happi Coats for the warm summer months. Around Mother’s Day, floral kimonos are popular especially the pink cherry blossom yukata. In June, dragon themed kimono seem to be popular graduation gifts for men, while birds and soft flower designs round out graduation gifts for the ladies.

No matter what the season of gift giving occasion, Japanese kimono and yukata are always first on our list of gift ideas. Comfortable to wear, beautiful to look at, wardrobe versatility and elegant, yet distinctive. What more could you ask for? We fell in love with the Japanese kimono thirty years ago and decided to set up our online kimono shop so others could experience what we did. Chopa wanted to allow customers everywhere to see the beauty and history that is still as popular today as it was hundreds of years ago.  There is a reason the kimono is the universal symbol of beauty in Japanese culture. Kimono Yukata stand alone when it comes to fashion forward.

In November, sales picked up steam as expected as the holidays and Christmas gift giving season approaches. It’s a tradition in our warehouse to decorate with some garland, lights and even a tree or two. We use artificial trees in our warehouse for fire safety. Plus, we dislike the idea of growing a tree just to cut it down for a few weeks of enjoyment. Please don’t label us Scrooge. Some of our staff use real trees at home, but as costs have risen so much in the past decade that more have turned to reusable, renewable trees. It’s a national trend.

It’s a real treat to walk into the warehouse and play Santa’s Elves. With festive lights and decorations surrounding our packaging and shipping stations, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Music is softly playing in the background and time flies by as we prepare, pack and ship your packages. Time has become important as we tick down to just less than three weeks to go before December 25th.  We will be posting recommended cut off dates shortly to help you with your gift giving if you are shipping packages.  Whether you order gifts online or ship them yourselves, we are getting closer to crunch time to get those presents to their destination on time.

As we get closer to the big day, we will switch most of our orders over to FedEx in lieu of USPS. USPS does a fantastic job throughout the year delivering cards, letter and packages. But we understand from local employees that retail packages take a back seat at this time of the year to their biggest and most heavily postage subsidized customer, Amazon.  Some customers have asked us why Chopa doesn’t sell on Amazon and one of the reasons is they allow businesses that use slave labor to sell on their platform. We won’t get into all of the other quirks that the software giant imposes on sellers. We certainly miss out on additional sales by not being on Amazon. But we sleep well at night knowing we march to our own drummer and make decisions that we feel benefit our customers, rather than generate returns for stockholders.

Without further delay, here are the Top 5 Selling Kimono and Yukata for November:

  • Yukata – Dragon and Hawk
  • Yukata – Tree of Life
  • Yukata – Dragon and Mt. Fuji, Black
  • Navy Tsuru
  • Yukata – Dragon and Bamboo

We want to thank every customer for their support and business. As we wind down 2021, we wish everyone a Happy Holiday, Merry Christmas and wonderful New Year. This year was an interesting one and we truly look forward to 2022. We have been working on many ideas and hope some of these come to fruition in the new year. Keep an eye out for our Holiday Shipping Deadline posts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram in the coming days.  See us on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/KimonoYukataStore

These will be posted here on our blog as well.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Kimono Make Great Gifts

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Posted in Japanese kimono, Kimono for women, Men's kimono robe, Plus size kimono, short kimono | Comments Off on Top Selling Kimono Yukata for November 2021

Our 2021 Holiday Gift Guide

Saturday, November 20th, 2021

The Holidays are coming, the Holidays are coming….don’t wait until the Holidays are here. Christmas is just 35 days away. Next week is Thanksgiving and that tends to be the day people really start thinking about gifts to buy, Holiday parties, gatherings and more. If you plan to ship gifts to someone, it is better to be early than late. Carriers see huge surges in package volume at this time of year. Combine that with labor shortages, more traffic on the roads and the inevitable winter weather and deliveries can become dicey.

If you are looking for something unique for a loved one, family member or friend, look no further. Here are our best suggestions.

KIMONO and YUKATA

Being an online dealer of Japanese robes for 27 years might make us a bit biased, but we know from personal experience the joy of seeing someone open a package and find a Japanese Kimono. The style, patterns and symbolism intrigue the recipient. After putting on the robe, there is look of grandeur, a sense of Japanese culture and the comfort of the 100% cotton fabric.

Kimono and Yukata are our favorite loungewear. Slip one on after a day at work or after a shower and discover what makes people smile. Besides lounging at home, kimono are suitable for special events, parties and ceremonies. Wear one for Halloween and enjoy at home the rest of the year.

HAPPI COATS

Happi Coats are short length kimono and very popular. Depending on your height, these short robes fall just above or below the knees. These robes are perfect for those who want to be relaxed but covered. If you’re not a fan of long robes and don’t like wearing something heavy and bulky, these are for you. Kimono are breathable, super comfortable and popular because they combine fashion trends with tradition.

TABI SOCKS

Tabi socks are also called split-toe socks because the big toe is separated from the rest of the toes. Tabi are great to wear with your Kimono or Yukata, especially when lounging at home. They are breathable and keep your toes comfortable, dry and warm. These kimono socks come in a variety of colors and prints and can also be worn with other outfits.

MALA BEADS

Do you know someone that meditates or wants to meditate? If so, a mala bead necklace is the gift choice for you. Dating back thousands of years in the Buddhist tradition, these beaded necklaces and bracelets can be used for counting mantras and prayers or worn as meaningful jewelry. Mala are available in many colors and related symbolic and spiritual healing meanings. Beads are made of precious and semi-precious stones, gems, minerals, seeds, woods and metals. A specific color and bead can be chosen based on the persons needs or wants. Chopa offers a free mala bag with every necklace or bracelet purchased to safely store and protect your beads.

There you have it. Our Holiday Gift Guide in condensed form. To see our entire collection of quality Japanese Kimono, Yukata, Happi Coats and mala meditation beads, visit our online store at www.chopa.com. While you are there, check out our sale on Nature Inspired Jewelry. These beautiful necklaces, pendants and earrings are 25% off for a limited time, just in time for Holiday Gift giving. Make someone happy and put a little extra cash in your pocket for yourself.

Everyone at Chopa wishes you and yours Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. While 2021 is almost over, let’s celebrate what we accomplished and look forward to a new year. Reach for the stars. Now Get Your Kimono On!

              Happi Coats Make you Happy!

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Posted in Buddhist mala, Japanese kimono, Kimono, mala beads, Men's kimono robe, Plus size kimono | 3 Comments »

The Story of Father’s Day.

Sunday, June 6th, 2021

fathers-day-surprise

Father’s Day is a day of recognition. We remember our father’s both passed and present. It’s common practice of celebration to share a meal together, let dad have the day off or do something he truly enjoys.  Outdoor events are popular, whether attending a sporting event, golfing, a day at the beach, a barbeque, hiking, riding bikes or whatever it is he loves to do. Some families let dad have a day at home, alone and  uninterrupted to enjoy quiet time, gathering thoughts, taking a nap, catching up on TV shows he likes with some binge watching or even having a day with just the “boys” and good friends. While it is traditional to present him with a gift, it isn’t necessary and many feel spending time with him is worth more than any gift. Gifts do not have to be expensive, but personal in meaning to show that you remembered him and want him to know he is loved and appreciated. But where did Father’s Day originate?

Father’s Day started in Spokane, Washington in 1910 by Sonora Smart Dodd at a local YMCA. It was supposed to compliment Mother’s Day which was already being recognized. Ms. Smart’s father, a Civil War veteran and single parent had raised six children and was living at the YMCA.  Ms. Dodd spoke to her pastor at church about creating a similar day to recognize fathers. It was difficult getting the word out and making this an annual event. Little did she know it would take nearly 60 years to be fully recognized.  President Woodrow Wilson went to Spokane in 1916 to speak at the Father’s Day celebration, but resistance and apathy made it difficult for the idea to be fully accepted. In fact, after about a dozen years, Ms. Dodd who resided in Chicago returned to Spokane to resurrect the idea. She knew she needed national awareness and began contacting companies that could help, and perhaps benefit themselves like tobacco pipe manufacturers, tie making companies and clothing retailers.

Most people continued to resist the idea for several decades, believing it was just a day that retailers created to drive up sales, like they did for Mother’s Day. The retailers persisted, building a larger following and throughout the years garnered more and more support to make this a well remembered day. It was in 1966, when President Lyndon Johnson proclaimed the third Sunday in June as the day to recognize fathers. Six years later, President Nixon made it a permanent holiday by signing it into law in 1972.

In the U.S., Father’s Day is now the fourth biggest day for greeting cards with approximately 72 million being sent. Of those, nearly  20% are given by wives to their husbands. Over 70% of men plan on celebrating Father’s day in some way. Last year, 46% of men spent money on clothing while 44% purchased gift cards. The most popular gift purchased is neckties. Over 40% want to buy their father, step father or husband a unique and special gift. Female shoppers spend 50% more on gifts for their fathers than their male counterparts. Father’s Day garners half of the amount of gift spending that is spent on Mother’s Day. Father’s Day is also the busiest day for collect calls.  Today, over 40 countries around the world have a special day to honor dads and flowers are not just for Mothers. The official flower for Father’s Day is the rose. Tradition states that a red rose is worn in your lapel on Father’s Day if your father is living, and a white rose is worn if he has passed away.

No matter how you plan on spending Father’s Day, enjoy it. Whether your father is present or passed, take a moment to recall, reflect and honor the person who is or was your father. Happy Father’s Day.

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Posted in Clothing, Japanese kimono, Japanese kimono for sale, Men's kimono robe, Plus size kimono, short kimono, Tall kimono for men | Comments Off on The Story of Father’s Day.