A Japanese new year's tradition. Parents and relatives give money to children as a kind of new year's gift. Japanese students usually aren't allowed to work part time jobs so a little income around the new year is a beloved treat.
For junior high and high school students, the gifts can range from between 5,000 and 10,000 yen.
Otoshidama is usually given in decorative envelopes. It is estimated that the average child receives 40,000 yen each year.