New parents often get showered in presents. And, having less time than ever to respond, then have to work out how to say thank you. Now a Japanese company has come up with an answer. Rice.

Rice? Ok, not just any rice, but rice in an adorable piece of packaging: a picture of your dear new baby.

So there’s an interesting benefit to both parties involved in this strange thank you present. The new parents get to express their joy by showing the others what new baby looks like. The recipients get a free bag of rice with the picture.

Source: The Ratner Gazette

Which beggars the question: if you received this “thanks for your present” gift, would you open it and boil the rice. Wouldn’t that destroy the present? Wouldn’t you feel like you’re boiling a baby?

Or maybe you can give it to parents-to-be to carry around and practice caring for their little one. The mind boggles.

By the way, the rice seller is probably selling more rice. A staple, commodity product. With a strange USP.