Korean Job Discussion Forums

broonie30 · Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 2:08 am Post subject: Korean kids 1st birthday

Hi,

Been invited by a co-teacher to her son's 1st birthday held at the hall where they got married. Just wondered if anyone out there has been to one of these apparently'big milestone' birthdays before?

Any tips on what to expect or what to give as a present most welcome!
Cheers

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

brandonlk · Joined: 30 Sep 2009 Location: Bundang, South Korea

I went to one about a month a go. The traditional gift would be gold jewelry but me and the other teachers just put out money together and got the child a new outfit.

Going to one of these is just like a wedding reception. They go all out. Sing songs, play games. Have TONS of food. Dress nice like you would for a wedding. It was a lot of fun. I am glad I went.

Senior · Joined: 31 Jan 2010

I went to one about a year ago. It was my GF's friend and I didn't know her from Adam, so I just put in 40K in an envelope. That would've covered my meal at the buffet, plus a little extra.

In all honesty, I had a blast. It was a new experience, and a cultural thing I can look back on. They did the thing where the baby chooses between a bunch of items, and that will determine his personality when he is older. The kid and parents all had hanboks on and the old folks were there, too (obviously). They gave out some prizes and the mom rigged it so that my GF and I won (they asked who had traveled the furthest to be there), which was nice.

Just go and enjoy yourself. Don't get too hung up on the cultural etiquette stuff. You are a huge, white, weird alien in their eyes, anyway. So not making cultural faux pas is going to be weird to them.

broonie30 · Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2010 4:05 am Post subject:

Thanks for the replies and the ideas, will most likely get together with others teachers and give cash. Sounds like a big event so should be interesting.
Thanks

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RyanInKorea · Joined: 17 Jan 2008

Your co-teacher invited everyone at the school. Unless you feel particularly close, I would simply give 30-50 thousand won. The school may even have a fund going to contribute to, but you may just want to do it yourself.

Ryan

Hyeon Een · Joined: 24 Jun 2005

I went to one last week.

The ring cost 180k and it was a bargain. In most 'ring' shops you can buy a half ring which will do instead of a real ring, if you're not close. You might get away with 90k.

If you're not close I suggest a non-gold gift.

definitely maybe · Joined: 16 Feb 2008

The odds are good that you don't know the birthday boy or girl that well, so cash gifts are more than acceptable. The the gift of gold is nice, but is not as relevant these days. Close friends and relatives have likely already given a gold ring, pendant, or necklace at this point. The rule of thumb amongst Koreans tends to be that a minimum 50,000 won is sufficient for one adult guest. With that said, RyanInKorea's advice is sound. If your co-worker has invited the entire staff, he or she likely does not expect as much from each staff member. Regular baby gifts, although not as common, always go over well too.

How do I know this? My son's first birthday was in January, and my wife has three older siblings with children. Trust me when I tell you that the majority of gifts were cash-stuffed envelopes, just like our wedding.

PatrickGHBusan · Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 6:04 am Post subject:

It is a very cool experience. I hope you enjoy it.

As for the gift: a toy, clothes or money is fine.

Do dress up however.

goesslry · Joined: 19 Jun 2007

traditional is a gold ring if very close, or cash (which goes to help pay for the party/saved for baby in a trust)

Unposter · Joined: 04 Jun 2006

For whatever it is worth, my wife told me that even number amounts of cash, except in 100s, is not considered appropriate.

So, the minimum amount you should pay is 30,000 won. You can then go up to 50,000 or 70,000 or 90,000 or 100,000 etc...

Generally, you should not pay anything less than you think the meal might cost. Some Koreans go to the extent of looking the place up on the Internet and guesstimating the cost of the meal.

As a non-Korean, you will probably be given some leeway in what you give as a present.

The big event is when the child is given a number of objects to choose such as rice, a pen, a coin and even these days a stethescope, golf balls and other items. The item he chooses says somehing about his or her future life.

And, this is a big even in the life of a child and his or her family. It signifies the child has survived the first year of life which is a landmark for survivability.

Expect a lot of food and lots of pictures!

Have fun!