Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Koreabound2004]

Just wondering for you longtimers, how you make Christmas a fun event here given the lack of yuletide spirit...??

This will be my first Xmas away from home, and I want to make it fun.....so that I don't miss home so much.

[turtlepi1]

You beat me to the punch...after my whining in Anyang thread, I thought this was the best follow-up thread.

I noticed there is a group of foreigners that are having Christmas at the Intercontinental hotel at the COEX mall. Though I don't have any details on tickets, etc.

We thought about booking a skiing vacation but after some thought I think I might be more interested in being around some other people that are interested in Christmas.

So maybe skiing, maybe the COEX event, maybe some other people around here are interested in booking a group weekend away somewhere. (In Korea...I know people need to work)

Looking for a positive event though...I think I would rather be alone then listening to everyone being gloomy about missing home. I'd have to move out of my GF's place afterwards.

[casey's moon]

Definitely decorate your place up, and hopefully do that with your roommates, significant other, close friends or if none are available, neighbourhood ajumma! Hopefully family at home is sending you a package, and if not now's the time to remind them (too late for slow boat, but the next cheapest option should still work). The rest depends on your personality, but throwing a party is a good option for some, including a small gift exchange. This is my first Christmas with just my husband so we're going to keep it quiet and romantic. My first year in Korea my roommates and I bought greasy chicken and sat around playing board games and eating Christmas chocolate. It was great fun.

The important thing is not putting too much pressure on yourself to make it amazing. Just do what is fun and make the best of it. Some of my best Christmases are the ones where I expected little from it because the pressure was off to relax and enjoy.

[whatthefunk]

You need soju my friend. Then anything can be fun. Even sitting around a burnt bird, dried bread crumbs passing for stuffing, mashed yams, and canned pumpkin paste shaped to look like a pie. Soju is your saving grace.

[indytrucks]

I agree with WTF.

The last time I was here for Christmas, my roomates and I had dinner on Christmas Eve. It consisted of barbecued chicken from the hof near my house and a solid quantity of soju.

When I woke up the next morning, my roomates and I sat around our Xmas tree and opened gifts.

The funny thing was, we didn't have the tree the day before. To this day, no one can remember where it came from.

Soju can make anything fun.

[lawyertood]

Just be careful with the stuff. You can skate a fine line between fun and hell!

Other ideas....

Perhaps some posters will be doing a Secret Santa exchange again this year....

Go ice skating...


Volunteer at an orphanage as Santa....

[crazylemongirl]

Enjoy christmas in new zealand Also not have your boss ring up on boxing day and say your moving in 90 minutes

[the saint]

Well of course, looking after our 7 month old cat would make Christmas so much less lonely than otherwise
Check out the thread HERE
for details ..

[Shutterfly]

yeah, I was wondering the same thing the other day. Where do you get a small christmas tree around here? I'd make the decorations myself but I need the tree first. I'd be happy to get together with any lonely christmas souls, christmas is a time to be with people, even if you dont them well!

[casey's moon]

The Christmas stores should pop up soon and then there will be little ones everywhere and a whole row of them in one of the big markets in Seoul (Dongdaemun I think, which is near where you live, right?).

[hogwonguy1979]

best way to enjoy Xmas in Korea??? Getting out of the country, this year will be the second year I've been able afford to get home to see the family.

My folks are getting older so I will now make it an effort to get home every Xmas as I have no intention of leaving my gig here

[travelinbri]

We used to always do Christmas at Outback... together with other foreigners, a trip is also nice since it is on a Saturday (go with friends to Gyungju, stay in the Hanjin Hostel, sure to be lots of foreigners there)

[hellofaniceguy]

How to make Christmas enjoyable in korea....
leave and go elsewhere for a few days.

[Koreabound2004]

Key words: IN KOREA......

not an option for me....

[Jenrose]

Go to the new New Core Outlet at Bumgye Station. The 6th floor has a whole lot of Christmas decorations.. It's so much like home, I love it! I've been there twice in the last week, just to get the feel for Christmas. Mind you.. I'm just a Christmas fanatic anyway.. The prices are actually very reasonable there.. better than Wal-Mart, and it is just a fantastic selection!