The Ariga family's home is filled with decor and tableware that reflect his wife Mikari's taste. Last Christmas, when their son started kindergarten, she made an advent calendar using plain white linen, number stamps, and tree embroidery on the corners.

"Last year, my son didn't understand what an advent calendar was for, and he ate all the sweets from the pockets in one day. This year, I guess he understood, because he said, 'I'll eat them on December 1st,' and every day he goes to the calendar and reaches out, trying to resist (laughs)."

Mikari wanted to fill the pockets with "sweets," which her son loves, so last year she managed to fill all 25 pockets using various candies and gummies.

"But my son's favorite is chocolate. Last year, I couldn't find any delicious individually wrapped chocolates that could fit in the pockets... But this year, I discovered Chocolat de Familia, and I decided that when Christmas came, I would fill the pockets with these chocolates! For my son, being able to eat a different flavor every day is paradise (laughs). Since he likes strawberry flavor, besides the 'Colorful Chocolat Tall,' I also ordered the 'Chocolat Strawberry Tall' which is just strawberry flavor. I'm all set for this year. I'm really looking forward to seeing his reaction."

"I like the matcha flavor," says Mikari. "It's pure bliss to brew hojicha tea and relax on the sofa between lunch and picking up my son from kindergarten. Sometimes I even doze off (laughs)." However, if she leaves them on the table, as soon as her son comes home from kindergarten, he goes straight for the chocolates, exclaiming, "I want some too!"

"I get nervous because he eats too much (laughs). But after all, seeing him smile makes me the happiest. He seems to remember the flavors by the color of the wrappers, and his favorite colors are disappearing quickly, so I'm watching him, thinking, 'Oh, he's learning.'"

Incidentally, after strawberry, his son's next favorite flavor is yuzu.

"I really hope December comes soon. It's hard to get my son to be patient (laughs). And I think he'll be so happy, so seeing that smile is what matters most to me."

The day when he comes home from kindergarten and rushes to the advent calendar, shouting "Chocolate!", is just around the corner.

The countdown to Christmas begins.

Profile

The Ariga family: a couple and their 5-year-old son who attends kindergarten. They lived near the sea for a long time before moving to Kamakura after getting married. The wife's hobbies are baking and embroidery.