Start the new year off right with just the right gifts

Ilpoom Jinro 1924 Heritage Set (Hite Jinro)
Ilpoom Jinro 1924 Heritage Set (Hite Jinro)

As Seollal or the Lunar New Year approaches, a variety of gift sets are being introduced, catering to diverse tastes and preferences.

Exchanging gifts during Seollal is a tradition rooted in honoring family, expressing gratitude and wishing for prosperity in the year ahead. It reflects the Korean Confucian values of filial piety and respect for elders, as well as the importance of family bonds.

From hotel collection meals to perennial favorite premium meat sets and packages designed for solo drinkers, this year’s offerings promise something for everyone.

Hite Jinro, a leading South Korean beverage company, has teamed up with Gyeonggi Tteokjip, a traditional rice cake shop known for its consistent presence on the Blue Ribbon Survey, to launch three Seollal gift sets that range in price from 22,200 won ($15.32) to 100,000 won.

Dongwon F&B's canned tuna gift set (Dongwon F&B)
Dongwon F&B's canned tuna gift set (Dongwon F&B)

For those looking for more practical gifts, Dongwon F&B is offering gift sets featuring high-protein canned tun, seasoned seaweed and ham, all priced under 30,000 won ($20.61). The company has also introduced healthier options such as canned tuna in water instead of canola oil and the Vivid Kitchen Special 1 Set featuring low-calorie sauces.

Four Seasons Hotel Seoul's Seollal gift sets (Four Seasons Hotel Seoul)
Four Seasons Hotel Seoul's Seollal gift sets (Four Seasons Hotel Seoul)

Hotels are offering exclusive Seollal gift sets featuring regional specialties and premium products. The Four Seasons Hotel Seoul has launched several high-end options, including the Hanwoo Grilled Meat Set, featuring premium 1++ grade hanwoo for grilling, priced from 660,000 won. The Andong Hanwoo Set, showcasing hanwoo from the Andong region, is available for 186,000 won. The Health Honey Set, which includes honey infused with wild mushrooms and ginseng root harvested in Yangyang, is available for 180,000 won. The Signature Scent Set, offering signature hotel fragrances, is available for 187,000 won.

A Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation survey on what people intend to by as Seollal giftsets released Jan. 10, shows the average budget for a gift set purchase to be around 190,000 won, with 29.1 percent of respondents saying they would spend between 100,000 won and 200,000 won, the most common range.

The survey was conducted by the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation Dec. 3-8, 2024, and included responses from 3,062 people in an online questionnaire.