Japanese New Year's Tradition

We were not in Okinawa during the New Year but were back in California. On New Year's day in Japan people give money to children as a blessing. Well, next door to us our neighbors have a sweet Grandma and Grandpa who love our children. We went over thier house yesterday to bring them a gift from California. When we gave them the gift, they gave the kids envelopes, and low and behold there was money in it. Asa does not know the value of money so he said they gave him "5000 dollars". It was 1000 yen which is about 10 american dollars. Our kids were grateful. We really love our neighbors and are blessed to live right in the middle of a Japanese community.