Korean Job Discussion Forums

[lhasa]

Will be returning home for the first time in a few years and need gifts. Will go to Insadong to buy most of it but have no idea what to get 2 young nieces (around 5 years old)....any experience / suggestions?

Many thanks

[NYC_Gal]

Cute hats, maybe hanbok if you want to spend a bit more. You could get them loads of sparkly jewelry.

[frankly speaking]

buy them soju. They are never too young to learn.

OK, seriously, bring every type of coin. Other great things that Korea is famous for is it stationary. They make the majority of the pens and plastic crap in the world.

If you do get the Hanbok, you can get very little ones that would be more like a wall decoration rather than something for them to wear. Cheaper and they will enjoy it more. How often would they wear the Hanbok for anyway at that age 1 -2 times before they outgrew it.

Books are always a great gift too.

Korean masks are really cool. You can find cheaper ones or hand made ones out of wood.

[conbon78]

I bought my nephew (who is almost 4) one of those hats that are animals that they wear in the winter. He loved it...wears it everyday to preschool. Also, in Insadong, there is a man that makes tops that are made out of wood. They are actually really well made and fun for kids. My nephew loved it and played it for hours. If they are girls, buy them some little bags or cute jewelry.

[wylies99]

Insadong has lots of stuff, but I've found much better things at the gift shops at the National Museum and the Folk Museum. Plus you can find something nice for children at the Haechi shop at Gwanghwamun Square.

[lice83]

Anything Hello Kitty would go down a treat with little girls. Its sold everywhere - E-Mart, Homeplus, little stationary stores . . .

[yellowdove]

get them 2 chopstick/spoon sets each - one that has the little finger holes for them to practice with, and a nice set for when they learn how to use them properly. i plan on mailing home 5 sets of the practice kiddie sets for my friends kids.

spinning tops always go over well too, theres two guys in insadong that handmake them right on the street.

[blackjack]

[wylies99]

OP, this is the Haechi store at Gwanghwamun Square (link with many pics). I've gotten a VERY positive response from family/friends in the USA from the Haechi banks and pencil cases that I sent to families with children, for Christmas. Just have a looksee.

http://www.korea.net/news/news/NewsView.asp?serial_no=20091215009&part=108&SearchDay=&source=Seoul+Metropolitan+City

[tzechuk]

Your nieces - stickers, stickers, stickers. Children, boys or girls, that young go CRAZY about stickers.

Trust me, my daughter is 5.

[madoka]