Christmas (트리스마스) is a popular time in Korea and you'll find that there are some similarities that will remind you of back home, but unfortunately theu will usually revolve around the shopping frenzies and swarms of people in the departments stores and malls. Beyond the sounds of English Christmas pop songs in stores and streets and the occasional Santa in a random department store, Christmas is still kind of a novelty to Koreans. Despite the fact that a third of the population is Christian, it just isn't the kind of major event with lots of tradition as it is in the west. Happily though, it is a national holiday.

Specifically, tree decorating and Christmas turkey dinners are not something that are easy to come by and you many have to find yourself doing a little improv to keep your Christmas spirit alive while in Korea. Some foreigners resign themselves to skipping Christmas that year altogether and just go out to a western restaurant like Bennigans or Marche. Some opt to organize groups of foreigners and have a mock Christmas dinner together at someone's apartment, and some decide that they must go all out and pay 70,000-100,000 won and attend Christmas events and turkey dinner at one of the luxury hotels in Seoul.

If want to do something for Christmas, then this article can give some ideas of what might be available to you. Most churches which offer English services usually have Christmas events and masses. You won't have much trouble buying a plastic tree -- E-Mart carries them, for example -- but real ones are extremely difficult if not impossible to come by.

[edit] Christmas events

See also: Christmas Dinners

• Embassies and Chambers of Commerce. Your country's embassy and chamber of commerce might be organizing an event, party and/or dinner. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce usually has a party every year, as does the British Chamber of Commerce. Non-members are welcome. Check with your embassy to see if there is anything going on.
• ANZA. ANZA is the Australian and New Zealand Association in Korea that regularly holds social events and tours for its members. They also usually organize a Christmas lunch.
• Millennium Seoul Hilton has numerous Christmas events every year, as well as a buffet dinner. They also boast to have the largest Christmas tree every year. (02) 317-3012
• Lotte Hotel Seoul
• Grand Hyatt Seoul
• Coex Intercontinental Hotel
• Ritz Carlton Seoul
• Seoul Plaza Hotel
• Sheraton Grande Walkerhill
• Ramada Seoul usually organizes a Christmas dinner.
• Le Saint-Ex has organized Christmas events and dinner in the past.
• Everland has Christmas events, parades, and musicals during the holidays.
• Seoul Land usually has Christmas events and performances.
• Lotte World has Christmas parades and ice shows.
• Aiins World has Christmas events and fireworks displays.
• COEX can usually be relied on to have some events, as does the COEX Aquarium, which sometimes has an underwater Santa and related performances.

Note: Hotels which offer Christmas buffets, lunches, or dinners don't necessarily mean that they will have turkey, ham, stuffing, etc. being served. It's best to call ahead and inquire before making a reservation.