Kanreki celebration is given by the sons and daughters, including grandchildren in many cases, to honor their father or mother. On this occasion the celebrant becomes a baby again. So it has beeen customary for the oldman or woman to wear a red Haori (Japanese coat), a red cap and red tabi (socks) as babies do generally in the country, to signify his or her new youth. These costumes are presented by their children or friends. When sending presents to such person one makes it a point to choose something red. All of this is based on a combination of an old usage of the zodiac and Chinese art of divination.
Thus dressed in red, the old man takes the seat of honor. His children grandchildren, relatives and friends gather to wish him a happy new life and many more years of joy.
Fitting presents are brought by the guests and others, many of them prepare their gifts years before for bringing joy to the old man. In welthy families, the celebration is made very elaborate and luxurious. A good-size fortune is often spent in holding it. Yet even the poorer families do not fail to hold this celebration for their old men and women who sentiment with which their children and grandchildren rejoice at having in their families such old aged persons is not at all different from that showed by the richer households.