With the upcoming Seollal or the Lunar New Year, a multitude of modern gift options are available to cater to different tastes and choices.
Seollal is one of the most important holidays in South Korea. Marking the start of a new year according to the lunar calendar, Seollal is when families to come together, pay respect to ancestors, and exchange thoughtful gifts. So, whether you are in Korea during the celebrations for pleasure or business, participating in Seollal gift giving is a great option to embrace Korean culture. You can show appreciation to your friends, colleagues, or hosts in Korea.
Gift exchange during Seollal is a Korean tradition. It comes from the thought of honoring family, showing gratitude, and wish of a prosperous new year. They are representatives of the Korean Confucian values of filial piety, respect for elders, and the significance of family ties. Traditional gifts such as premium fruits, Korean red ginseng, and carefully packaged rice cakes (tteok) have long been the go-to choices. However, with evolving lifestyles and preferences, modern takes on traditional gift-giving are becoming increasingly popular.
Modern Gift Ideas for Korean Tradition of Gift Giving on Seollal
Navigating Seollal traditions can be challenging as a tourist or expat. It is important to understand the symbolism behind traditional gifts or finding modern options that align with local customs. Choosing the right gift will show that you understand the local culture and respect their traditions.
This year, there’s a diverse collection of gift set options that you can choose to give on Seollal. The options range from family options like meat sets and hotel collection meals to solo celebration options like unique beverages.
Hite Jinro x Gyeonggi Tteokjip
South Korea’s leading beverage company, Hite Jinro, in collaboration with Gyeonggi Tteokjip, a traditional rice cake shop is launching three Seollal gift sets. Gyeonggi Tteokjip is a regular presence on the Blue Ribbon Survey so you can expect some delicious options. They include products from the Jinro brand and Ilpoom Jinro 1924 Heritage along with Gyeonggi Tteok Store items. The gift sets range from 22,200 won to 100,000 won.
The Jinro Blue Frog gift set has of a blue frog figure, a soju glass, and tteok from Gyeonggi Tteok Store. It’s available in six offline stores of Gyeonggi Tteok in Korea – Mangwon-dong, Namyangju, Lotte Department Store, Gangnam, Bundang, and Mia.
The Jinro Pink Frog gift set contains a pink frog figure, a soju glass, along with yakgwa and jondigi. Like the above gift set, it is available in the six offline stores. But, you can also purchase it online on the Gyeonggi Tteok Store online site.
Lastly, the Ilpoom Jinro 1924 Heritage gift set contains one bottle of Ilpoom Jinro 1924 Heritage 375ml, a dedicated glass, and sets 2 and 3 of herbal round rice cake. It is exclusive to the Mangwon-dong Gyeonggi Tteok Store in-dong.
Practical Gifts from Dongwon F&B
For more practical Seollal gift options, you can get gift sets by Dongwon F&B. There’s sets with canned tuna, seasoned seaweed, and ham, at a reasonable price of less than 30,000 won. There are healthier options as well like the Dongwon Tuna In Water where water is used instead of canola oil in canned tuna. There’s also a low calorie sweet tooth and seasoned chicken sauce option in the Vivid Kitchen Special 1 Set.
Hotel Gift Set Options
Hotels are giving away special Seollal gift sets with regional treats and premium goods. The Four Seasons is a great place to find gift sets for Seollal.
The Hanwoo Grilled Meat Set is one such gift with premium 1++ grade hanwoo for grilling, and it’ll cost you 660,000 won. The Andong Hanwoo Set is another great choice, with hanwoo from the Andong region. It’ll set you back 186,000 won. The Health Honey Set contains honey infused with wild mushrooms and ginseng root from Yangyang, priced at 180,000 won. And if you’re looking for something unique, the Signature Scent Set is a must-have. It’s got signature hotel fragrances that’ll make you smell amazing. It’ll cost you 187,000 won.
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