Korean Job Discussion Forums

SarcasmKills · Joined: 07 Apr 2003 Location: Seoul

Brothers and sisters, lend me your ear...

I need some suggestions as to what are decent gifts to mail home to the fam.. I've bought some things on-line for them already, but I am desperately open to suggestions..

I don't want anything too heavy (since mail charges by weight) and I need something for my parents, and my sister and brother...

I hate shopping with a passion.. so i'd like to have some idea of what I want before I go wander aimlessly for hours, get tired, and say *beep* it and go home...

I'm looking for things both Korean-ish and westernized...

mercy buckets!

desultude · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2003 2:16 am Post subject:

I'm taking home (but could mail) incense and incense holders and big Dharma calendars from the gift shop at the local temple. Paper goods- anything paper, such as calendars, notebooks, art supplies (sketch pads, water color paper) and those nice big sheets of decorative paper are all nice, and they are light and don't break. Watercolour pencils are a bargain here compared to Eurpope and the States. Children's books, such as Korean fairy tales, are priced well and ship easily.

I have found some beautiful ceramics, but they are too heavy and break. Silk goods are light weight and beautiful here. Paper Mache is also nice. Masks are great, especially if you can get to Andong, where the selection and prices are good. I am sure I can think of more, but the truth is, I did buy a lot of my holiday gifts in Thailand!

coolsage · Posted: Mon Dec 01, 2003 5:12 am Post subject:

The laquered inlaid boxes are a fine idea; some come with a music box. Unbreakable in the shipping; my mother loves hers.

Swiss James · Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Location: Shanghai

For my Dad's birthday I bought a DVD player on Amazon which got shipped direct to the house, then a burnt a CD full of photos of what I've been doing here (heavily censored mind) which he could view with the player. Also sent a cool dragon made out of dried palm leaves that I picked up in Insa-Dong and weighed next to nothing.

Also you can get those electric lamps that look like wood but are made out of paper (i.e. light), they package those bad boys pretty well in bubble wrap and a strong cardboard box, I wouldn't have any fear about sending those home.

For my brother's birthday I'm getting him a K-League football (soccer) shirt with his name on the back in Hangeul- something he can't get back home and dead easy to send.

dogbert · Joined: 29 Jan 2003 Location: Killbox 90210

I can't remember what thread I mentioned this on, but the Korean Post Office offers a range of Korean gifts you can order online and have sent overseas.

maxxx_power · Joined: 17 Mar 2003 Location: BWAHAHAHAHA! I'M FREE!!!!!!!

Get those little korean ginseng gift sets, they're not too much cash (30,000) and can be mailed home for about 10,000.

Granted, I bought several for the fam and it cost me about 90,000 to mail my christmas shit home.

Damn you santa!

justagirl · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Location: Cheonan/Portland

My family always enjoys Korea snacks, like Peppero and the mushroom-shaped cookies, etc. That's a guaranteed stocking stuffer every year, and they aren't too heavy to mail.

I also agree with the paper products--the stationary, hand-made rice paper, Korean calanders, and the like are all very unique and appreciated bach home. One year everyone got a Korean calander and our dads got lots of comments when people went in their offices. In Insadong, you can find stationary sets made from the rice paper with dried flowers pressed into the paper---very pretty! Add a few gel pens and that makes a nice gift.

The Korean bookmarks in Insadong are also very unique and lightweight. I love the filigree look to them and the ribbon with the Korean knot attatched to the top of them is really nice.

The only problem for me is that there is nothing new to send home! I've already mailed all of these, so we still haven't found anything for our dads. Crying or Very sad

good luck!
justagirl

Bubbliee · Joined: 03 Jul 2003 Location: Kelowna, BC Canada

Eel skin wallets are a pretty nice gifts for guys. My father, brother, and brother in law each got one. you can get them in Itaewon for anywhere between 12,000 and 30,000.

crazylemongirl · Joined: 23 Mar 2003 Location: almost there...

just a note to any aussies and kiwis be very careful sending food as it may get confiscated.

Cool chopsticks are light weight, cheap and easy to source.

I'm going to get a few people some paperfolding sets.

CLG

Mercer Cheese · Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Location: Near Huntly

No problems sending Pepero or any other Korean junk food back to NZ - just fill out the customs declaration as "candy".

mmmm.... candy......

SarcasmKills · Joined: 07 Apr 2003 Location: Seoul

The Korean soccer jersey deal sounds like a good deal for my bro.. any suggestions as to where I can get one AND get his name put on it?

Swiss James · Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Location: Shanghai

Yep yep, Dongdaemum has a load of sports shops that I'm told can help me out. I'm going on Friday night to check it out. Told it'll be about 30,000 for the shirt, 10,000 for the printing.

I already got one for myself, but someone else sorted it out:

chiaa · Joined: 23 Aug 2003

My mom loved Korean toothpaste when she visited here. Going to send some of that home.

http://www.whatthebook.com

Swiss James · Joined: 26 Nov 2003 Location: Shanghai

A whole tube? Or just whatever you've got left?

Tiberious aka Sparkles · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Location: I'm one cool cat!