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lady_eleanor12:00 UTC01 Jul 2010

Hello!
I will be traveling to Korea this September to meet my birthfamily for the very first time. Part of my stay will be at guest quarters at an orphanage in Busan (my brother works here). My question is, what is an appropriate gift to give to the orphanage director? I will most likely give them a donation, but I know that non money gifts are very important in Korea. Should I also be prepared to bring a lot of small gifts for the children there too? If so, what? I appreciate any ideas.

thanks!
Amy

globetrotter77704:24 UTC02 Jul 2010

You should ask your brother what he/she likes. I volunteered at an orphanage in Namsan and before I left, I gifted the directors (husband and wife) matching t-shirts and my roommate gifted them CDs of English bands they liked (ie. Beatles hehe). They were very moved!

Yes, a monetary donation is much appreciated, but I think especially older Korean adults like thoughtful gifts (in addition to the donation, that is). If you have to go generic, a nice basket of fruits and gourmet snacks is the way to go. If you go to Lotte department store, they make beautiful gift baskets on the fly. Pricey, but they love that stuff!

And of course, do bring candy, stationery or little toys like key chains for the kids. It brings smiles to their faces :)

dominic7713:27 UTC02 Jul 2010

Local specialities often seem to be appreciated. I got a packet of dried local seaweed and a bottle of some kind of cooking oil as rewards for coming 2nd in a 10km race last weekend. Both were specialties of the island where the race was held.

So perhaps bring something unique from home?

Failing that, as mentioned above, a generic gift box of Spam or tuna seems to go down well too, as odd as it might seem to us.

semy199110:42 UTC05 Jul 2010

In Korea, when visiting elders, we usually bring box of Juice.

But since you are a foreigner, I think something from your country would be nice.
They would respect your regards of preparing present and bringing it all the way to Korea.

It doesnt have to be expensive...
If she's a women,facial cream or a lotion is cool.
(giving facial cream or lotion for Korean women over 30s ALWAYS works.)

For the kids, chocolates and snacks from your country is cool.
Snacks from foreign country is something I always wanted when I was young! They taste better.
Box of recess or snak packs would be cool.

Gift ideas! Country forums / North-East Asia / South Korea
lady_eleanor12:00 UTC01 Jul 2010	Hello! I will be traveling to Korea this September to meet my birthfamily for the very first time. Part of my stay will be at guest quarters at an orphanage in Busan (my brother works here). My question is, what is an appropriate gift to give to the orphanage director? I will most likely give them a donation, but I know that non money gifts are very important in Korea. Should I also be prepared to bring a lot of small gifts for the children there too? If so, what? I appreciate any ideas. thanks! Amy
globetrotter77704:24 UTC02 Jul 2010	You should ask your brother what he/she likes. I volunteered at an orphanage in Namsan and before I left, I gifted the directors (husband and wife) matching t-shirts and my roommate gifted them CDs of English bands they liked (ie. Beatles hehe). They were very moved! Yes, a monetary donation is much appreciated, but I think especially older Korean adults like thoughtful gifts (in addition to the donation, that is). If you have to go generic, a nice basket of fruits and gourmet snacks is the way to go. If you go to Lotte department store, they make beautiful gift baskets on the fly. Pricey, but they love that stuff! And of course, do bring candy, stationery or little toys like key chains for the kids. It brings smiles to their faces :)	1
dominic7713:27 UTC02 Jul 2010	Local specialities often seem to be appreciated. I got a packet of dried local seaweed and a bottle of some kind of cooking oil as rewards for coming 2nd in a 10km race last weekend. Both were specialties of the island where the race was held. So perhaps bring something unique from home? Failing that, as mentioned above, a generic gift box of Spam or tuna seems to go down well too, as odd as it might seem to us.	2
semy199110:42 UTC05 Jul 2010	In Korea, when visiting elders, we usually bring box of Juice. But since you are a foreigner, I think something from your country would be nice. They would respect your regards of preparing present and bringing it all the way to Korea. It doesnt have to be expensive... If she's a women,facial cream or a lotion is cool. (giving facial cream or lotion for Korean women over 30s ALWAYS works.) For the kids, chocolates and snacks from your country is cool. Snacks from foreign country is something I always wanted when I was young! They taste better. Box of recess or snak packs would be cool.	3

Gift ideas!