Surviving the Christmas season in Korea without family

Holiday decorations are everywhere in Seoul! This is outside the YBM headquarters.

   For many expats living in Seoul, this is their first time spending the Christmas holidays without their family. Many people have asked me why I am not returning home for the holidays. The answer is easy; I have no time off work. My company allows its teachers one day off work on the Friday before Christmas, and another two days off before New Years weekend.
   Although this is  my first holiday alone, the holidays have been anything but lonely. Wherever you go throughout Seoul there are tons of Christmas lights and decorations everywhere. South Korea is the only East Asian country that recognizes Christmas as a national holiday. Many websites say that Christian and non-Christian Korean's celebrate by giving gifts and setting up Christmas trees. I find this statement a little misleading, because all my Korean friends and acquaintances seem to be shopping their hearts out, while none of them seem to be setting up Christmas trees. Although the holidays are still in full swing here, I think many Koreans are more excited to celebrate New Years than Christmas.

Have a holiday decoration party in your office to keep the spirit alive!

    Being part of a large company with over 30 expat teachers definitely has its perks around the holidays. Two days ago, my office had a Christmas decorating party and we hung tons of holiday decorations while listening to Christmas music and eating Papa John's pizza! Small things like decorating and celebrating with friends and co-workers definitely keeps the holiday spirit alive.
    So what are my plans this Christmas and New Years? As of now nothing, but I'm thinking about avoiding the chaotic crowds that will be everywhere on New Years. I'll probably meet up with some friends and cook, or hole up in a cabin in the mountains somewhere drinking lots of wine and playing Cranium!

The YBM Si-sa headquarters goes crazy during Christmas!

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