Korean Job Discussion Forums

[steelhead]

Hey all,
Going home in August for a wedding. This couple actually lived in Korea for a year before they decided to get hitched.

They have a gift registry, but its all lame impersonal things, and they are both good friends of mine. I am sure there must be some symbolic, original gift Ideas taht they wouldnt have purchsed while they were here.

I asked a few Korean people, they usually give cash, and one suggested this website with all these cheezy things that didnt seem to me, as being wedding gifts but more like personal gifts.

Im a wedding virgin, well at least good friends. Friends of friends you can send anything.

Any suggestions?
Thanks

[peppermint]

I sent a set of cups made from white jade to a cousin when she got married. I bought them at a souvenir type place at one of the national parks. Realistically- as long as it's not a toaster they'll probably love it.

[winnie]

some really nice pottery...art work...

kinda cheesy...but those ducks, and the bride and groom painted figurines.

[peony]

what about a whole tea set with the pot, bowl, set of cups etc made of celadon?

[steelhead]

whats celadon? dare I ask

[peony]

its that jade green glazed pottery, korea's pretty well known for this

you should be able to get a set for around 70-80,000 won or so

[peony]

i just thought of this as well, how about a nice bowl set?

http://www.hankook.com/jaepum_list.asp?gubun=mkki

[Bulsajo]

I second the ducks.

Or some Korean jewellery boxes or wedding box.


Or celadon pottery in the traditional koryo style:

No shortage of good choices.

[kermo]

I think the ducks are a terrific idea. I would be pretty pleased, at any rate. I fell in love with some Korean ceramics last week in Icheon (not Incheon), which is a region famous for its pottery.

[Grotto]

I too recommend the ducks....but you have to know the story that goes with them.(This is the story told to me by an old guy at the folk village about the wedding ducks)

The ducks should be displayed prominently at the entranceway to the home,,,preferably just inside the door.

Now the way ducks are use is:
If both ducks are facing each other then all is well and good. The world is in harmony and there is balance in the household.

If the female duck is facing away from the male duck then the wife is angry....and the wise husband should find out why. This also works vice-versa.

If one of the ducks has a peice of ribbon or string tied around its beak AND is facing away from the partners duck then that person is angry and doesnt want to talk about it!

If a husband comes home and there is a peice of string/ribbon around the beak of his duck and they are facing each other then the wife has something to say to him and he had best listen carefully.

Now when the husband comes home and see's the duck with the string around its beak and knows he may be in trouble...he can tie a peice of string around his wifes ducks beak and that lets her know that he has got the message he just doesnt want to talk about it right now.

Thats basically the story I got about the wedding ducks. Interesting if nothing else

[steelhead]

Hey thanks for the ideas. That makes it pretty simple. I was worried that I might double up on a gift from something they already had when they were here.... but those things guaranteed no. I am sure they wouldnt of bought that shit, not having a settled place back home.

I suppose Insadong would be the place to go. It would be awsome if I could get that story about the ducks writen down in some sort of displayable form.

Even in Korean, I could have it translated.

Thanks everyone

[paperbag princess]

how about phallic whiskey glasses? i got some for my friends and they thought it was hilarious (not too classy though). if you're in seoul, go to insadong, there's something for everyone there.

[Grotto]

There is a shop in Itaewon that does custom made Chinese style dresses, Kimonos and Korean dress with custom embrodary. Nice stuff
Union Shop

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