A few months ago, I was invited to a first birthday party.
I immediately knew it would be fancy since it was at a nice buffet and not at
the child’s home or at something like Chuck E. Cheese’s. I was right.
When I walked into the private room, I knew this wasn’t
going to be like the other kids’ birthdays I’d been to. The party room had a
stage, two hosts, a dressing room, and a sitting room. Mom and Dad wore matching red and white hanboks
and the Birthday Boy wore a multicolored hanbok. Everyone’s hair and makeup had
been professionally done.
The big event at the party was the doljabi (돌잡이). For this, parents present the birthday boy/girl
with several items on a tray. He or she picks one and it determines his/her
future. At this party, the tray had money (wealth), a big spool of thread (long
life), a pen (scholar/intellectual), and a mouse (tech career).
I didn’t realize how big of a deal this was until the baby
didn’t pick anything. His parents presented him with the tray several times and
he didn’t pick anything. He just clutched his father and looked confused. Eventually,
after having the tray presented 20+ times, the baby picked the money. When he
picked the money, the Dad started crying. I guess there was a lot riding on
this. Personally, I like to think that the baby didn’t pick anything because he
will have a unique path in life that can’t be easily summed up in one object.
Overall, I enjoyed the party. The food was great and it’s nice
knowing the Birthday Boy will grow up to be rich.
The Stage Area
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My Party Favor
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