Curious about how Koreans spend their Xmas or what they do on December 25th?
Here’s how South Korea celebrates Christmas!
Quick Summary
- Christmas in Korea is a unique blend of festive cheer, romance, a bit of family time, and ice cream cake.
- Unlike family-centered celebrations in Western countries, Koreans often see it as a romantic holiday, more like Valentine’s Day.
- Many couples have a romantic date, complete with gift exchanges, fancy dinners, and cozy strolls along beautifully illuminated streets or Cheonggyecheon Stream.
- Koreans decorate a reusable Christmas tree at home, and everyone in the family gets one gift in total.
- Singles spend time with their friends during the day while some “spend time with Kevin”, as in watching Home Alone at home, alone.
A Romantic Holiday For Couples
Christmas in Korea is like a Valentine’s Day on steroids for couples.
Many treat it as a day for a romantic date, complete with gift exchanges, fancy dinners, and cozy strolls through illuminated streets.
Walking along Cheonggyecheon Stream at night is especially beautiful around this time of the year. It’ll be lit up delightfully as part of the Seoul Lantern Festival 2024.
Young couples love to visit Lotte World, which transforms into a winter wonderland.
Many couples enjoy the classic location for a romantic date like Namsan Tower (N Seoul Tower), where they can lock their love on the famous padlock wall.
Romance is in the air in December and many Koreans try to find someone special before Christmas.
A Cozy Holiday For Families
Koreans have a reusable Christmas tree at home. Buying a real tree is unheard of.
We either use a plastic tree that we take out from a storage room and unfold each year or simply decorate a small indoor tree we already have in the living room. DIY wall Christmas trees are getting more common too.
Korean families have a cozy evening at home with a meal of their choice. Some prefer Western dishes like steak while some prefer traditional Korean favorites. We are happy as long as it’s something delicious.
What we must have is a festive cake, often bought from bakeries that release beautiful seasonal designs just for Christmas. These cakes are light, fluffy, and delicious.
Another iconic choice is the ice cream cake. Baskin-Robbins have a line out the door on Christmas in Korea. Their holiday-themed designs are sweet and cute!
Gift-giving is more subdued in Korea than in Western cultures. We focus on a small present rather than extravagant ones.
In Korea, everyone gets one gift total. I remember receiving one gift like a doll or Lego from my parents.
My brother and I would pool money to buy presents for Mom and Dad. Something like knitted mufflers or gloves. So, everyone gets one.
Korean children also receive a present from Santa Haraboji (Grandfather Santa), a Korean twist on the classic Santa Claus. At daycare, a dad will volunteer to dress up as Santa and pay a visit to the children before the holiday.
A Fun Party with Friends or Kevin For Singles
For those not in a relationship, Christmas can still be a time of joy.
Many singles spend the day with friends by throwing a small party or visiting Christmas markets together.
Some Koreans “spend time with Kevin”, as in watching Home Alone at home, alone.
No matter what, Koreans will have a Christmas cake. Often decorated with strawberries, they’re lighter and less sweet than their Western counterparts.
Overall, Christmas in Korea is a day of joy, whether spent with a romantic partner, family, or friends.
It’s a time to celebrate and share happiness Korean style.
