What is customary to give for housewarming among Koreans (13 photos)
Koreans, like many peoples, have a number of traditions associated with housewarming. For example, giving gifts.
Family relationships are the basis and such foundation of Korean society. Everything is arranged in such a way that family ties were not lost throughout life: first, parents do everything possible to make their children happy and successful, and then already children, having achieved certain professional and career successes, selflessly caring for their elderly parents.
Such self-sacrifice in South Korea is something taken for granted, as, in principle, the fact that quite adult children can live peacefully with their parents until they enter into marriage ... although even after that many remain to live in the house of a husband or wife.
This happens for various reasons: economic, when a young family simply cannot afford to acquire separate housing; practical, because cohabitation with parents is, moreover, also very convenient in everyday life; purely personal - in many Korean families, leaving their parents is regarded as a manifestation of indifference or the desire of children to abandon their relatives.
But, of course, traditions are traditions, but South Korea is a country still progressive, and despite the commitment to the roots and rich cultural past, many modern Koreans still decide on the manifestation of independence in the form of moving to separate housing.
Of course, they continue to take care of their parents, support and help them, here all the conventions are met, but to live prefer to do it on their own - in their house or apartment. Well, what moving without a traditional housewarming?!
By the way, Koreans, as well as many Europeans, have a number of traditions associated with housewarming. AND, if citizens, when they move into a new house, are the first to let a cat in, and then they arrange a magnificent feast, washing everything - from the threshold to the balcony, then the Koreans are somewhat more modest and ... strange. of great importance for Korean housewarming play gifts. Moreover, like everything in Korean culture, gifts are also endowed with a certain meaning, but more spiritual than practical.
Housewarming in South Korea
So, for example, one of the most common gifts on housewarming in Korea, is washing powder and any other detergents means that are able to create a thick foam. Koreans believe that exactly the same as washing powder foams or, say, a means for washing dishes, the income of the new settler will also increase. Therefore, actively foaming detergents for a housewarming give without fail - so that there is always profit in the house.
Korean washing powder
Another, at first glance, a purely practical gift, that Koreans present at housewarming is toilet paper. Moreover, the larger the package, the more prestigious the offering. Toilet paper among Koreans, it symbolizes, first of all, a long, happy and carefree life in a new house, so to speak, a white streak, and only in the second stage is already an indispensable household item.
Korean toilet paper
Gifting new settlers with a pack of toilet paper, guests wish them so that all life's difficulties and troubles bloom with ease roll. And in general, such a gift is never superfluous ... especially in big family.
Korean household chemicals
Very useful housewarming gifts are already familiar kitchen accessories: from towels and potholders to small household appliances. These things are always desired and necessary, and since kitchen utensils have the feature of quickly failing, such gifts never lose their relevance, and especially in a new home.
And, of course, the best and most desired gift for housewarming among Koreans (and here they did not become original) are considered after all, the money that the new settlers will be able to dispose of in their own way discretion - to buy something for the house or put it aside "in reserve". Some there are no specific amounts that are customary to give for housewarming in South Korea exists, so each of the invited guests decides this question for himself. However, any, even the smallest amount of money will be accepted with great respect and reverence, because Koreans know the value of money and understand how difficult it is to make money.
Korean won
By the way, in South Korea there is another curious belief, housewarming related. In no case should you re-gift, and even so more throw away gifts that guests brought on the occasion of moving to new housing. Koreans believe that in this case, they will leave home prosperity and wealth. So you can imagine what a warehouse of gifts is stored in the homes of Koreans! Although, if all the guests will give only toilet paper for housewarming, the problem will resolve itself.