Going away gift ideas for the South Korea bound BF?
June 16, 2010 10:01 AM Subscribe
What gift should I get for my boyfriend before he moves to South Korea for a year?
My boyfriend is moving to South Korea to teach English for a year, and I’d like to get him a present before he leaves. We both really care about each other, and try to show it in big and small ways. Despite being just-out-of-college with a poorly paying job, he’s always been very generous with paying for things or buying me nice and unexpected gifts. I’d like to do the same for him. Here’s a little information about him:
-He likes having nice things, such as the fancy new laptop he picked out, leather dress shoes, Prada eye glasses, and a new jacket his dad bought him.
-He plays a lot of video games. He’s planning on bringing his Xbox to SK with him (which I think is silly) and is always talking about suchandsuch new game that he just bought.
-He also plays guitar, but is not bringing that to SK.
-He is really into martial arts, and fights several nights a week. He’s planning on continuing this while he is overseas, and I think he already has all the equipment for sparring.
-He loves food and can put it down like nobody’s business. Gaining weight (for kickboxing) has been his summertime goal.
-He is an avid reader, and is also very into philosophy.
-He loves Bruce Lee.
I am a BACS (broke ass college student) so I’d like to keep it under $150. Some ideas I have thought about:
-Buy him a massage. He’s usually pretty sore after kickboxing, and he’s never had a professional massage before.
-Take him out to dinner for some cuisine he won’t be able to have in SK, or just to a nice restaurant. I will probably do this in addition to a gift.
-Buy him a nice wallet. Something understated but kind of fancy.
What are some other man trinkets that he might like? Anything specific he might want/need for South Korea?
My boyfriend is moving to South Korea to teach English for a year, and I’d like to get him a present before he leaves. We both really care about each other, and try to show it in big and small ways. Despite being just-out-of-college with a poorly paying job, he’s always been very generous with paying for things or buying me nice and unexpected gifts. I’d like to do the same for him. Here’s a little information about him:
-He likes having nice things, such as the fancy new laptop he picked out, leather dress shoes, Prada eye glasses, and a new jacket his dad bought him.
-He plays a lot of video games. He’s planning on bringing his Xbox to SK with him (which I think is silly) and is always talking about suchandsuch new game that he just bought.
-He also plays guitar, but is not bringing that to SK.
-He is really into martial arts, and fights several nights a week. He’s planning on continuing this while he is overseas, and I think he already has all the equipment for sparring.
-He loves food and can put it down like nobody’s business. Gaining weight (for kickboxing) has been his summertime goal.
-He is an avid reader, and is also very into philosophy.
-He loves Bruce Lee.
I am a BACS (broke ass college student) so I’d like to keep it under $150. Some ideas I have thought about:
-Buy him a massage. He’s usually pretty sore after kickboxing, and he’s never had a professional massage before.
-Take him out to dinner for some cuisine he won’t be able to have in SK, or just to a nice restaurant. I will probably do this in addition to a gift.
-Buy him a nice wallet. Something understated but kind of fancy.
What are some other man trinkets that he might like? Anything specific he might want/need for South Korea?
Response by poster: He already has a digital camera, but he did just lose his iPod. I might talk to his parents about getting him a new one. Good point about the tangible thing--I would like him to actually have something to take along. Thanks!
posted by gumtree at 10:23 AM on June 16, 2010
posted by gumtree at 10:23 AM on June 16, 2010
Pay to have his guitar sent properly to SK.
posted by WeekendJen at 10:24 AM on June 16, 2010
posted by WeekendJen at 10:24 AM on June 16, 2010
He plays a lot of video games. He’s planning on bringing his Xbox to SK with him (which I think is silly)
This is not silly, this is something he really enjoys. It meant a ton to me when my girlfriend, despite repeatedly saying I wasn't getting any games for Christmas, bought me Dragon Age: Origins and wrapped it up in a nice pair of jeans so I wouldn't see a game-shaped box. Especially because she knew what a time-sink that game was and was willing to let me go nuts with it.
Just putting it out there, don't bash his hobbies.
posted by InsanePenguin at 10:31 AM on June 16, 2010
This is not silly, this is something he really enjoys. It meant a ton to me when my girlfriend, despite repeatedly saying I wasn't getting any games for Christmas, bought me Dragon Age: Origins and wrapped it up in a nice pair of jeans so I wouldn't see a game-shaped box. Especially because she knew what a time-sink that game was and was willing to let me go nuts with it.
Just putting it out there, don't bash his hobbies.
posted by InsanePenguin at 10:31 AM on June 16, 2010
Response by poster: I don't mind that he enjoys playing games, but I worry that he'll end up spending all his free time with them instead of getting out and enjoying Korea. But I'm not opposed to buying him a game because I know that it's something he would really enjoy. Any suggestions for a new game he might like? Right now he's really into this one in the old west wear you ride horses and shoot people (I think?).
posted by gumtree at 10:36 AM on June 16, 2010
posted by gumtree at 10:36 AM on June 16, 2010
I think a wallet is an excellent and very personal man-trinket but make sure you get a good, hard look at his current wallet. There are about 300 billion internal arrangements for wallets and people have very strong preference-driven needs for how they like to arrange money, credit cards, etc.
Also, currency sizes can be vastly different, so you'll want to look into what bills look like in SK if you don't already know (I've no idea).
posted by DarlingBri at 10:51 AM on June 16, 2010
Also, currency sizes can be vastly different, so you'll want to look into what bills look like in SK if you don't already know (I've no idea).
posted by DarlingBri at 10:51 AM on June 16, 2010
Deodorant.
(Uh, not saying your boyfriend is stinky, just that I've heard it's hard to get decent stuff there.)
posted by elsietheeel at 10:52 AM on June 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
(Uh, not saying your boyfriend is stinky, just that I've heard it's hard to get decent stuff there.)
posted by elsietheeel at 10:52 AM on June 16, 2010 [1 favorite]
Oh, ok, I totally see where you were going with that, didn't mean to be so judgmental. The game he's playing now is Red Dead Redemption, but I can't really recommend any games he might like based only on that.
Maybe an Eye-Fi for his digital camera? It might take some of the tedium out of taking pictures for him, if he isn't a hardcore photographer. Not sure exactly how it works, but it seems cool and it's not terribly expensive.
posted by InsanePenguin at 11:02 AM on June 16, 2010
Maybe an Eye-Fi for his digital camera? It might take some of the tedium out of taking pictures for him, if he isn't a hardcore photographer. Not sure exactly how it works, but it seems cool and it's not terribly expensive.
posted by InsanePenguin at 11:02 AM on June 16, 2010
Send him a copy of StarCraft II when in drops in late July. StarCraft practically the national religion of S.Korea.
posted by Scoo at 11:15 AM on June 16, 2010
posted by Scoo at 11:15 AM on June 16, 2010
He needs to take deodorant, if he wasn't planning on it already. Skype credit is another practical thing if you or his family aren't already on Skype. If everyone is, then it doesn't matter that much. Just a note about that: my advice is not to talk to each other everyday, at least not after the first couple of weeks. In my experience observing two couples in your exact situation, talking everyday caused them to grow farther apart. Doing so emphasized the differences in their day-to-day experiences; awareness of those differences created distance between them, which made it hard for them to relate to each other. You probably know that this will be an enormous challenge for your relationship. Understand that you'll miss him, but he might not miss you, maybe not for several months. That's totally normal, and it doesn't say anything about you, him, or your relationship. If you want to stay together, do whatever you can to make it less difficult for both of you.
Anyway, don't buy him eyeglasses or sunglasses. They're cheap in Korea, and there's endless variety to choose from. Don't buy him clothes either, unless he's taller than 180 cm and/or overweight. If he's either of those things, he should take as much with him as possible. He should learn to read Korean as quickly as possible after arriving, or even before, if possible. Something to help him learn would be very useful.
posted by smorange at 11:51 AM on June 16, 2010
Anyway, don't buy him eyeglasses or sunglasses. They're cheap in Korea, and there's endless variety to choose from. Don't buy him clothes either, unless he's taller than 180 cm and/or overweight. If he's either of those things, he should take as much with him as possible. He should learn to read Korean as quickly as possible after arriving, or even before, if possible. Something to help him learn would be very useful.
posted by smorange at 11:51 AM on June 16, 2010
I'll vouch for deodorant. It's possible to find, but much easier to just bring a bunch of his own.
Also, tell him to leave the Xbox at home. There's so much to do in Korea (and especially Seoul, if that's where he's going) and so many people to meet. He doesn't want to be the guy who just sits in and plays video games, does he?
If he's going to Seoul there's a good used bookstore called What The Book. They sell giftcards and they can also order new books. Whatever he's looking for. When I went to Seoul I had no computer and no tv and I read like a demon. A store like that can save a new teacher's life.
p.s. W25,000 is roughly $25, give or take.
posted by fso at 12:32 PM on June 16, 2010
Also, tell him to leave the Xbox at home. There's so much to do in Korea (and especially Seoul, if that's where he's going) and so many people to meet. He doesn't want to be the guy who just sits in and plays video games, does he?
If he's going to Seoul there's a good used bookstore called What The Book. They sell giftcards and they can also order new books. Whatever he's looking for. When I went to Seoul I had no computer and no tv and I read like a demon. A store like that can save a new teacher's life.
p.s. W25,000 is roughly $25, give or take.
posted by fso at 12:32 PM on June 16, 2010
Korean currency is larger than US currency.
Seconding leaving the xbox behind as well as bringing the guitar. Seconding most of the other stuff above as well.
posted by Emperor SnooKloze at 4:18 PM on June 16, 2010
Seconding leaving the xbox behind as well as bringing the guitar. Seconding most of the other stuff above as well.
posted by Emperor SnooKloze at 4:18 PM on June 16, 2010
I'm a long-time resident of Korea.
Korea runs on 220-v with different plugs from the US. I suppose he could get a converter Advise against the X-box.
Most stuff you can actually find here-- deodorant is easy to find, it's antiperspirant that's hard to come by. Fortunately, you can get Driclor (CertainDry) at any drugstore and its far and away the most effective antiperspirant available anywhere. People here use it to stop their palms and feet from getting sweaty. Decent vitamins or workout supplements are insanely expensive- a tub of protein/weight-gain powder might cost easily well over $100.
Luxury goods are easily available, but at a hell of a premium. Tailored clothes are an exception; he can get very good custom tailored suits for around 300 dollars (Hahn's in Itaewon, e.g.) This being the home of Samsung, LG, iRiver and others, tech stuff is also everywhere.
Clothes are good and cheap, too unless he's 6' or taller in which case there's practically nothing for him here. Forget about finding shoes bigger than 10.5. That's an idea, if perhaps not so sentimental. Actually, a good pair of hiking boots might be a good idea-- it's mostly mountains here and everyone goes hiking. It would be a shame to come here and not do some good day-long hikes.
Korea's weather can be jungle hot and steamy in the summer, and brutally, Siberia-level cold in the winter. Think the US has seasonal temperature variations? Korea wins. Appropriate clothing might be useful.
Food wise, it's great food here--but he's pretty much stuck with Korean food or western fast food. If you want quality western food, you can't get it. CAN'T GET IT AT ALL. "Salad" is iceberg lettuce with honey mustard on it. WTF? Cornflakes garnishing my soup? FTS. If your boyfriend likes good food, load him up on some good spices and give him a good cookbook (nothing that requires baking though; no one uses ovens here). Me, I would kill for a few boxes of pancake mix from Trader Joes right about now. Taking him out to a top-of-the-line restaurant in your area would be a great idea.
If he's going to Seoul, he can get what he needs (except, as I said, decent western food) give him a gift you would normally give him. If he's going elsewhere, consider something more practical.
posted by holterbarbour at 5:13 PM on June 16, 2010
Korea runs on 220-v with different plugs from the US. I suppose he could get a converter Advise against the X-box.
Most stuff you can actually find here-- deodorant is easy to find, it's antiperspirant that's hard to come by. Fortunately, you can get Driclor (CertainDry) at any drugstore and its far and away the most effective antiperspirant available anywhere. People here use it to stop their palms and feet from getting sweaty. Decent vitamins or workout supplements are insanely expensive- a tub of protein/weight-gain powder might cost easily well over $100.
Luxury goods are easily available, but at a hell of a premium. Tailored clothes are an exception; he can get very good custom tailored suits for around 300 dollars (Hahn's in Itaewon, e.g.) This being the home of Samsung, LG, iRiver and others, tech stuff is also everywhere.
Clothes are good and cheap, too unless he's 6' or taller in which case there's practically nothing for him here. Forget about finding shoes bigger than 10.5. That's an idea, if perhaps not so sentimental. Actually, a good pair of hiking boots might be a good idea-- it's mostly mountains here and everyone goes hiking. It would be a shame to come here and not do some good day-long hikes.
Korea's weather can be jungle hot and steamy in the summer, and brutally, Siberia-level cold in the winter. Think the US has seasonal temperature variations? Korea wins. Appropriate clothing might be useful.
Food wise, it's great food here--but he's pretty much stuck with Korean food or western fast food. If you want quality western food, you can't get it. CAN'T GET IT AT ALL. "Salad" is iceberg lettuce with honey mustard on it. WTF? Cornflakes garnishing my soup? FTS. If your boyfriend likes good food, load him up on some good spices and give him a good cookbook (nothing that requires baking though; no one uses ovens here). Me, I would kill for a few boxes of pancake mix from Trader Joes right about now. Taking him out to a top-of-the-line restaurant in your area would be a great idea.
If he's going to Seoul, he can get what he needs (except, as I said, decent western food) give him a gift you would normally give him. If he's going elsewhere, consider something more practical.
posted by holterbarbour at 5:13 PM on June 16, 2010
Electronics like Xboxes have voltage converters in them. He'll need to buy a new plug in Korea, but that's easy and the Xbox will work. So will his laptop, digital camera, and most other relatively expensive electronics. When in doubt, check the voltage on the device.
I disagree somewhat with holterbarbour about good Western food, at least in Seoul. You can get it, but you need to look. For example, in Gangnam, there's a very good Mexican restaurant, a great burger/salad place, and a pancake house (which I haven't bothered to go to). It is hard to find, say, a great risotto. So if it's that kind of thing we're talking about, then I'd agree.
posted by smorange at 6:57 PM on June 16, 2010
I disagree somewhat with holterbarbour about good Western food, at least in Seoul. You can get it, but you need to look. For example, in Gangnam, there's a very good Mexican restaurant, a great burger/salad place, and a pancake house (which I haven't bothered to go to). It is hard to find, say, a great risotto. So if it's that kind of thing we're talking about, then I'd agree.
posted by smorange at 6:57 PM on June 16, 2010
Woops, my post was a little garbled there. "I suppose he could get a converter Advise against the X-box" should have read "I suppose he could get a converter so there's no reason to advise against the X-box".
There might be some good eats in Gangnam, but north of the river (really in the thick of the downtown area, by Anguk/Jongno/Gwanghwamun), there's f**k all to eat unless you're looking for Korean food. Around here at least, the places that expats tend to go to are at best mediocre by US standards.
posted by holterbarbour at 7:41 PM on June 16, 2010
There might be some good eats in Gangnam, but north of the river (really in the thick of the downtown area, by Anguk/Jongno/Gwanghwamun), there's f**k all to eat unless you're looking for Korean food. Around here at least, the places that expats tend to go to are at best mediocre by US standards.
posted by holterbarbour at 7:41 PM on June 16, 2010
If he doesn't have a webcam, buy him (and yourself if you need it) one for video chats. Alternately, skype credit or a skype subscription would be good. Also, I would advise against the wallet since, iirc, Korean currency is a different size than American, so it would be really sad if he got to Korea and couldn't use his great new wallet.
posted by you zombitch at 11:36 PM on June 20, 2010
posted by you zombitch at 11:36 PM on June 20, 2010
« Older How to handle deposit when you've been told that... | Need creative ideas for my son's graduation cards. Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
I think something tangible he can have with him would be better than a one-use thing like the dinner or the massage.
posted by litnerd at 10:15 AM on June 16, 2010