With Christmas right around the corner, this time of the year is usually filled with holiday spirit and celebrations. Given the circumstances, parties and festivals may be canceled this year due to COVID-19. However, that does not mean you cannot enjoy the holidays in the safety of your own home with your loved ones. As Christmas approaches, why don’t we take a moment to learn about Korea by comparing how Christmas is normally celebrated in Korea and the United States?
In the US, Americans tend to spend quality family time on Christmas day. For that, it is hard to find shops open during the holiday. In Korea on the other hand, most spend Christmas with friends or romantic partners so it’s the peak season for shops; people prefer going out on dates and eating out rather than staying home.
* Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) are Korean family holidays
In addition to who Christmas is spent with, there is a difference in how presents are delivered. While Americans place presents underneath the Christmas tree or inside stockings and open them together on Christmas morning, Korean parents secretly place them by their children’s bedside or in front of their doors.
While eggnog may be the first thing that comes to mind when Americans think of Christmas food, most Koreans think of cake. Often, candles are even blown out to celebrate the day.
Lastly, a popular Christmas game played in the US is Secret Santa. There is a similar game called "manito” (secret friend) in Korea, but this game isn’t usually played on Christmas. If you want to explain what Secret Santa is to your Korean friend, say it’s similar to "manito," and they’ll understand.
When you think of Christmas, carols and Christmas lights are some of the iconic symbols of the holiday. Although you can’t hear Christmas carols out on the streets, you can check out the beautiful light decor at Anjeong-ri Rodeo Street and Sinjang Shopping Mall in Pyeongtaek!
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