So we have talked about Valentines Day in Korea and how the girls are the ones that just give out gifts to the boys, make some home-made choco gifts and shower them with treats~Seems a little one-sided though, huh?  Well dont worry, girls get those gifts re-payed by the boys with a holiday called White Day (화이트데이 )which is celebrated in Korea as well on March 14, one month after Valentines Day!!

White Day is a Holiday that actually originated in Japan, but has also found a home next door in Korea as a permanent Holiday in the culture.

It was started officially in 1978 by the Japanese National Confectionery Industry Association as an “answer day” to Valentine’s Day on the grounds that men should pay back the women who gave them chocolate and other gifts on Valentine’s Day, reciprocate the gifts in a kind and thoughtful way…oh yes, this is one of those Hallmark card Holidays. Oh well, Embrace it! ♥

The foundation for this whole “answer day” actually came a year before in 1977 from a confectionery company (Ishimuramanseido) who tried to market marshmallows to men on March 14, calling it “Marshmallow Day”….which we can assume is how the”white” was put into “white day” later. Japanese responded well to this new holiday and the white themed aspect of this holiday stuck, so soon white chocolates and other themed treats started appearing on the store shelves! By the 1980′s it was expanding in popularity every year, and once it peaked it made its way to Korea!

Chupa Chups are a very popular candy here in Korea! For White Day they are EVERYPLACE!

The general rule for Men seems to be that if a girl gives you a gift on Valentines day, it is expected that you reciprocate on White day with a gift back to her. 

A thought among some is the “triple return” (三倍返し in Japan)  gift, where if a girl gives you a gift for valentines day you must return a gift to her on white day, but triple the value!! This can apparently be an expectation in Korea with girls as well, but its not one of those set in stone rules… I think its mainly for special relationships. Same thing goes for the expectation of expensive gifts like jewelry, handbags, perfume, etc~ it depends on the girl and the relationship.

♥ Always remember the importance of nice packaging, even with small cheap gifts if possible♥

Paris Baguette sold these adorable single boxed chocolates for gifting on White day.

Newcomers to Korea should always keep candy bars or little bags of treats on hand on this holiday to return to girls who thought of them the month before. Lollipops (Chupa Chups in particular go on sale by the bucket around this time of year) also make great small obligation gifts for this holiday. I am not a teacher here, but I hear the students eagerly give the teacher candy or chocolate and expect them back in return so don’t get caught off-guard with them, coworkers, OR girlfriends!

This (like Valentines day here) is a romantic holiday + a social obligation holiday in a way.

Common gifts for White Day in Korea seem to be more along the candy/sweets range for this holiday Vs Japan who gives out chocolates, cakes, marshmallows, or sweets.  Some of my Korean friends have said the general thought here is chocolate for Valentines day and candy for White Day. Judging by what is being sold, that seems to be very much the case… its candy candy candy everyplace while Valentines day in Korea was chocolate everything.

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Now-a-days they treat does not have to be white, any sort of sweet gift seems to be ok~ chocolates, candies, cakes, whatever~ although the white theme is marketed heavily of course & so can count on seeing special white cakes or flower bouquets out for sale.

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Not to say that gifting of chocolate or cakes does not happen, but this holiday tend to really advertise lollipops and hard sugar candies overall… at least lately! Table upon table is filled with beautiful gift sets of hard candy and lollipops!

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Lot of “Happy Valentines Day + White Day” signs and displays are just kept up through both holidays since they are so close. Why bother putting up two months of decorations, right? 

  Since the two holidays go hand in hand usually the stores will roll out the goodies for valentines day and keep them out + add additional things (white themed, for girls, candy jars, etc) as white day approaches the following month.  One thing I love is all the beautiful containers of sweet candy with shiny rainbow wrappings that go on sale for white day, they are so pretty I just want to buy 20 to keep as decorations!

The week before is when the popup tents and special outdoor sales of goodies kick in here! Just like with other holidays, these tents appear outside convenience stores like 7-11, G25 or cosmetic/drug-store style chains like Watsons.

Its so tempting to not buy any candy… they are all packaged so pretty!

lots of special holiday box sets by brands come rolling out!

Gift baskets for every budget! ♥

Since Nara had just given me my engagement ring a few weeks prior, I did not expect anything very fancy for White Day this year~ just some candies and to go out for a nice dinner which is pretty typical! Thats ok Nara, you can get me my fancy pants white BMW and Prada bag another time lol.

 Nara did not disappoint!  He brought me an adorable Chupa Chups bouquet which he said was extra awesome because it would never die, just get eaten!  I still have not had any yet *__*  its too cute to eat!

XXXXIMAGE IN WHITE WITH BOUQUETXXX

What did you get or give for white day? Please share! ♥