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Thriving During the Holidays in Korea
Thriving During the Holidays in Korea
By I Care Counseling Center
Photography By: Moris Oh, Lili Shih, Leslie Preddy, Sgt. Alon Humphrey, Heather Peet
The holiday season is a time for joy, family, and tradition. For U.S. military families stationed in South Korea, being far from home can make holidays like Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas feel a bit different. As a family supporting your loved one serving overseas, the emotional impact of being away from your usual celebrations can be tough. Distance may separate us from familiar festivities, but the warmth of holiday traditions can flourish anywhere we choose to nurture them. The true magic of the season isn't bound by location - it's in how we choose to celebrate, wherever we find ourselves.
In addition to practical strategies, prioritizing your mental health can help you and your family navigate this challenging time. Resources such as individual, marriage, and family therapy are available and can provide the tools and support you need to manage stress, strengthen relationships, and help you maintain emotional well-being.
Here are some tips, along with mental health support options, to help you and your family get through the holiday season while stationed in South Korea.
Feel What You Feel
It's okay to miss home and your loved ones during the holidays. Feeling sad, lonely, or even a little anxious is completely normal. The key is to recognize and accept these emotions rather than pushing them aside. By talking about your feelings with your family and friends, or even writing them down, you can better manage the stress that comes with being away during this time.
Counseling Option: Individual Therapy
If you’re finding it hard to cope with feelings of sadness, loneliness, or anxiety, individual therapy is a great option. It offers a safe and confidential space to explore your emotions and develop healthy coping strategies. Mental health professionals on your installation or through telehealth services can provide support tailored to your needs during this challenging season. Chaplains and Military and Family Life Counseling are also available to discuss your well-being and help develop individualized strategies for your needs.
Start New Holiday Traditions
While it may be difficult to recreate everything you love about the holidays back home, creating new traditions in South Korea can help you enjoy the season in a fresh way. Consider blending American traditions with Korean ones. You could prepare a holiday meal that combines your favorite Thanksgiving or Christmas dishes with local Korean foods or explore holiday markets and local events around the installation. Bake cookies together, build a gingerbread house as a family, or even create your own ornaments this year for a memorable memento.
Counseling Option: Family Therapy
If your family is struggling to adjust to the changes and stress of living abroad, family therapy can help everyone communicate better and feel more connected. Working with a counselor, your family can create new traditions that incorporate everyone’s ideas, and develop stronger bonds during the holiday season.
Take Care of Yourself
Holidays can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when you're away from home. That’s why it's important to take care of your mental and physical health. Make time for activities that help you relax—whether it's going for a walk, reading, or practicing mindfulness. Don’t feel pressured to recreate the “perfect holiday.” Instead, focus on what feels right for you and your family.
Counseling Option: Marriage Therapy
Distance during the holidays can put a strain on relationships. If you and your spouse are feeling disconnected or stressed, marriage counseling can help you navigate those challenges. A therapist can assist with communication, conflict resolution, and strengthening your emotional connection, making the holidays more manageable for both of you.
Stay Connected with Loved Ones Back Home
Thanks to technology, staying connected with family and friends in the U.S. is easier than ever. Video calls, holiday cards, care packages, and even shared holiday playlists can help keep the connection strong. Setting up regular calls or planning a virtual holiday celebration with loved ones can make a big difference in feeling close, even from miles away.
Practice Gratitude
Even though you’re far from home, there’s still a lot to be grateful for—your family’s health, new friendships, and the shared experience of living in a different country. Focusing on gratitude can help shift your mood and bring positivity into the holiday season. Try writing down something you're thankful for each day or involve your family by sharing what you're grateful for at the dinner table.
Lean on Your Military Community
You’re not alone in feeling homesick or missing family back home, wherever that may be. Many other military families are likely feeling the same way. Getting together with other families, attending holiday events, or even hosting a potluck can help you create a sense of togetherness. By supporting each other, you’ll find that the military community can feel like an extended family.
Plan Something to Look Forward To
After the holidays, it's normal to feel a little down. To avoid the post-holiday blues, plan something fun for January—whether it’s a family outing to explore more of South Korea, attending a winter festival, starting a new hobby, or simply organizing a small weekend getaway. Having something to look forward to can help keep your spirits up after the holiday season ends. Not a fan of planning trips? Make a January trip a holiday gift to yourself, your spouse, or your family. Your installations travel agency can help you! Discover Seoul at USAG Yongsan and Humphreys, Osan Information, Tickets, & Travel, and Daegu’s Hana Tour can help make your January weekend trip easy. Just show up, you don’t even have to drive!
Making the Best of the Holidays Abroad
While being away from home during the holidays isn’t always optimal, it is an opportunity to create meaningful new memories. By acknowledging your emotions, staying connected with loved ones, and finding ways to enjoy the holiday season where you are, you can make this time of year special, even from across the world.
If you’re struggling emotionally, know that support is available. Whether it’s through individual therapy, marriage counseling, or family therapy, mental health professionals are here to help you and your loved ones navigate the unique challenges of military life. Don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance—it’s a sign of strength to seek support when you need it.
Holiday Activities in Korea
Classical and Ballet Concerts
Event: Christmas Ghibli OST Concert
Location: Lotte Concert Hall
Address: 29 Sincheon-dong Songpa-gu Seoul
Dates: December 24, 2024 at 7:30 PM | December 25, 2024 at 3:00 PM
[NAVER Map]
lotte concerthall
서울 송파구 올림픽로 300 롯데월드몰 8층 롯데콘서트홀
Event: Universal Ballet - The Nutcracker
Location: Sejong Center for the Performing Arts Grand Theater
Duration: December 19, 2024 - December 30, 2024
* No performances on Dec. 23(Tue) & 26(Thu)
Age limit - 48 months and over
Price Range: 20,000 KRW ~ 130,000 KRW
* ticketing opened; English page available in Interpark Ticketing
[NAVER Map]
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts Main Theater
서울 종로구 세종대로 175 세종이야기
Events and Festivals
Le Grand Theatre - The Hyundai Seoul
Event: Christmas Village
Reservation required through Naver. There are walk-in tickets, but it is almost always sold out.
Location: Parc. 1
[NAVER Map]
Park Won Tower 1
서울 영등포구 여의대로 108 파크원
Le Grand Theatre - Hyundae COEX Christmas Village (mall / Christmas Village)
Event: Christmas Village
Location: Hyundai Dept. Store Trade Center Branch
[NAVER Map]
Hyundai Dept. Store Trade Center Branch
서울 강남구 테헤란로 517
https://naver.me/FY3ncfYj
Lotte World Mall (mall / Christmas Village)
Event: Christmas Village & Carousel
[NAVER Map]
Lotte World Mall
서울 송파구 올림픽로 300 롯데월드몰
Seoul Lantern Festival (festival) & Ganghwamun Market
Event: Lantern, lights festival & market shopping
Location: Cheonggyecheon Stream Path Walk
[NAVER Map]
Cheonggyecheon Stream
서울특별시 종로구 창신동
Osan Christmas Market
Event: Flee Market, Food Market, Concerts, Carousel
Location: Osan Station Plaza, Arumdaro, and Wondong Market Street
Duration: Until December 25, 2024 (Every except Mondays & Tuesdays)
Wednesdays~Fridays = 17:00 to 21:30
Saturdays~Sundays = 11:00 to 21:00
Cheonan International Christmas Festival (천안세계크리스마스축제)
Event: Christmas Festival
Location: Around the area of Shinbu Culture Street
Duration: December 17, 2024 - December 25, 2024 (events starts at 7pm)
Website: cicf.kr or search ‘천안세계크리스마스축제’ on Facebook and Instagram
[NAVER Map]
Sinbu Culture Street Market District
충남 천안시 동남구 신부동
Apsan Christmas Festival
Event: Lights and Park
Location: Apsan Mountain Haeneomi Observatory
Duration: December 1, 2024 - December 28, 2024
[NAVER Map]
Apsan Mountain Haeneomi Observatory
대구광역시 남구 대명동 1501-2
Other Local Locations with Foreign Themes
Gapyeong La Petite France
Edelweiss Swiss Village
Chuncheon Santorini
Asan Mediterranean Village
Namhae Germany Village
Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm - feel the Korean Alps
Incheon Chinatown
Jeju Venice-land
*The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
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