Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ForceOne]

Hey,
Heading home for a few weeks, and was wondering what kinds of Korean gifts people have bought for their family/friends that were actually liked. Doesn't have to be big or expensive, but I don't want anything "cheesy".
Thanks for any hints or suggestions

[kat2]

I think Korea has some pretty nice jewelry boxes for any women friends. Some of them are way cheesy with tons of motehr of pearl and lacquer, but a lot are quite tasteful cherry looking wood. I bought some from a guy on the street in Itaewon and bargained for a very good price

[OiGirl]

After a while it becomes hard to find something "new" every trip you take home! Here are some I have given:

brass bookmarks of traditional Korean things
small tassels
small traditional fans
handphone ornaments
magnets made of plasticine of people in traditional Korean dress or Korean masks
packages of A4 "handmade" paper
interesting notebooks
small traditional bags/sacks

[canuckistan]

Insadong in Seoul is great place to buy traditional Korean items as gifts.

[canukteacher]

Take one of the Korean blankets...........Fantastic. You can carry it on board. Just make sure when you buy it that you get them to put it in a carrier bag.

Believe me//whoever the lucky person is, they will love it

Chopstick and spoon sets are another favorite of mine. Heavy, but well liked.

Good luck


CT

[Hater Depot]

If you have a sewer in the family, some of the shops in Insadong have some very colorful taegeukgi thimbles. I bought one for my mother but she refuses to use it because it's so pretty. Next time I go there I'm going to buy her one for every finger.

[sheba]

I bought a Korean stamp (like the ones they use instead of a signature) which was carved with a dragon, and I had something special engraved on it instead of the persons name.

The fone accessories were a big hit back home because they are rarely seen back home.

I also bought Korean snacks, gum and lollies which are good fillers (not the main pressie).

[teachingld2004]

I also have given people stamps. They LOVED them. Remember, the things we are used to seeing as common, are loved by the people back home.

Insadong has great stuff. Money purses, boxes, stationary, paper, all sorts of cultural items.

Do people you know collect money? Stamps?

For women the jewelry here is cheap. So are the traditional shirts. And if you find a shirt with Konglish on it, tht is funny also.

I also (people please don't hit me for this) bring soju in the cardboard boxes for people. They have to taste what gets us drunk here for 900 won!

[bluelake]

Over the years, I've brought many things back to family and friends. To add to the list of things others have given, try water kettles, either copper or stainless steel.