By Honorary Reporter Virginia Long from U.S.

Photos = Virginia Long

Christmas has been my favorite holiday since childhood, but it is observed quite differently in Korean than back in my native U.S. This is my experience spending Christmas in Korea.

Solo Christmas?

Contrary to many Western countries where Christmas is celebrated together with family, the holiday in Korea is seen more for lovers or couples. People go out on dates at places like shopping malls or nice restaurants rather than spending the day with family. Many stores and restaurants in Korea are open on Christmas Day, whereas most are closed in the U.S. to give staff time to spend with their families.

In Korea, Christmas can be a lonely time for single people. To avoid loneliness, many singles either hang with family or go out with friends. The Christmas experience of children is also slightly different, as they can spend the day with family watching Christmas movies (especially "Home Alone") or go out with family.

Food

In the U.S., families usually eat a huge Christmas meal consisting of meat such as turkey or ham, vegetable casserole and bread. Though they feel like their stomachs are about to explode, they do manage to stuff in a piece of pie or plate of cookies as dessert.

In Korea, many people on Christmas Day eat at a restaurant of choice, either a fancy place or just their favorite neighborhood restaurant. Also popular in Korea is Christmas cake. They look little different from normal cakes, but see added meaning for being eaten on Christmas.

Marketing

Because Thanksgiving is celebrated in late November, most stores and businesses in the U.S. do not start decorating for Christmas until the end of that month. The day after Thanksgiving, better known as Black Friday, sees huge discounts offered by businesses. To put up Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving seems awkward and is considered jumping the gun.

In Korea, Christmas decorations can begin as early as the end of Halloween, which is not celebrated here as it is in the West. Department stores erect huge Christmas trees with lots of lights and sparkling ornaments. Christmas songs are heard everywhere both inside and outside. Many businesses offer Christmas discounts to spur sales of gifts for friends, family and significant others. Like in the U.S., Christmas can be quite commercial in Korea, but the atmosphere is still magical and full of holiday spirit.

Happy holidays

In the U.S., many people use the greetings "happy holidays" in December instead of "merry Christmas" due to the other holidays celebrated around the same time such as Hanukkah or Kwanzaa. It is thus safer to say "happy holidays" instead of assuming everyone celebrates Christmas. While Christmas has a huge commercial aspect in the U.S., it is still rooted in the Christian holiday, and many families attend a Christmas service at church on Christmas Eve or Day.

In Korea, most people say "merry Christmas" instead of "happy holidays" because of the low number of people who observe other holidays such as Hanukkah or Kwanzaa. Koreans observe New Year's Eve and Day (as evidenced by the large crowds of people going out on Dec. 31 before the pandemic hit), but Lunar New Year (Seollal) in January or February is a far bigger event. Christmas in Korea also has a big commercial element, but Christians in the nation often attend church on Dec. 24 or 25. 

kalhong617@korea.kr