Shopofkorea guides
Office Sets Sought as Chuseok Gifts for Buyers
Official product names are shown in Korean. Product pages are in Korean; prices are in South Korean won (KRW).
When choosing an office set as a Chuseok gift for buyers, the first thing to look at is what is included. Some products pair a business card case with a ballpoint pen, while others add a USB drive to the set. Sets that combine a pen holder with a business card case also stand out.
In the period leading up to Chuseok, interest gathers around corporate gifts and gifts of appreciation. Office sets featuring traditional patterns are, among these, particularly well suited for conveying gratitude. They carry the beauty of Korean craft while being immediately usable at one's desk.
A holiday greeting placed in everyday work items
Taking out a business card or jotting down a note at work is something everyone does without thinking. A business card case and a ballpoint pen are exactly the items one reaches for in those moments. When traditional patterns are added to them, even an ordinary piece of stationery carries a wish of blessing.
The '명함케이스와 볼펜 2종세트- 십장생꽃무늬' (Business Card Case and Ballpoint Pen 2-Piece Set – Sipjangsaeng Floral Pattern) features mother-of-pearl decoration with a sipjangsaeng (symbols of longevity) pattern. The crane, deer, tortoise, sun, and mountain are symbols representing longevity and good fortune. The pattern set against a floral background conveys a wish for lasting peace and well-being. The set also fulfills its practical functions of storing business cards and writing.
Even among office gifts of the same kind, the technique used to express the pattern differs. The '명함집세트-송학3종(지칼)' (Business Card Case Set – Songhak 3-Piece with Letter Opener) is a product on which traditional patterns are printed over natural mother-of-pearl. The songhak (crane and pine) and pine tree carry meanings of longevity, integrity, and good fortune.
These symbols provide something to talk about when accompanying a holiday greeting. It is perfectly fitting to briefly explain the meaning of the pattern when handing over the gift. It is, in effect, adding a Korean wish of blessing to a familiar work item.
Traditional patterns extend to USB drives as well
Office sets can also include a USB drive for storing data. A USB drive paired with a business card case or ballpoint pen brings together different work-related functions in a single gift. It is a sight of traditional decoration carrying over into modern office supplies.
The 'USB매듭 명함집3종-흉배8G,16G,32G' (USB Maedeup Business Card Case 3-Piece Set – Hyungbae 8G, 16G, 32G) makes use of mother-of-pearl and maedeup (traditional Korean knotting) decoration. It is a product that applies the image of the hyungbae (the rank badge worn on Joseon official court robes) to modern office supplies. The patterns on the USB drive and business card case convey Korean court robe culture. The maedeup decoration adds further beauty from traditional craft.
The '자개 USB 볼펜세트-십장생16G,32G' incorporates the sipjangsaeng (symbols of longevity) pattern into both the USB drive and the ballpoint pen. The mother-of-pearl inlay decoration carries the meaning of longevity and good fortune. The items included differ from the earlier business card case and ballpoint pen configuration. The use may differ, but the point of conveying good wishes through traditional patterns remains the same.
For a gift to be presented to a buyer, this kind of combination is especially fitting. It delivers together a decorative reminder of Korea and an item useful for work. It allows one to express the hope that a message of gratitude will continue to resonate throughout the recipient's working life.
The songhak on the desk offers a wish for longevity
When a pen holder is included, the gift takes up a place on the desk. The '자개필함세트-화려한 나전 송학(필함,명함케이스)' (Mother-of-Pearl Pen Holder Set – Splendid Najeon Songhak, with Pen Holder and Business Card Case) pairs a pen holder with a business card case. It is a set that uses mother-of-pearl and lacquer to express traditional good-fortune patterns.
Mother-of-pearl is a material made by thinly cutting and refining shells such as abalone or conch. Its color and sheen change depending on the angle at which light strikes it. The technique of cutting mother-of-pearl into various shapes to form patterns is called najeon (나전). A craft object made by affixing najeon to a lacquered surface is called najeonchilgi (나전칠기). This pen holder set also employs the technique of thinly grinding mother-of-pearl and attaching it as a pattern.
The songhakdo (crane-and-pine painting) features pine trees and cranes. Both motifs symbolize freedom from illness, longevity, and noble character. Good-fortune patterns including peony and pine are also expressed together in the set.
A pen holder given as a holiday gift is an object for holding writing instruments. At the same time, it carries a wish for the recipient's health and well-being. The practical function of a desk item and the symbolism of the songhak come together to make a dignified gift of appreciation.
Care continues right up until the gift is given
With a corporate gift, preparation continues even after the item has been chosen. In consultations for bulk purchases, custom printing and delivery deadlines are confirmed together. Some buyers first ask about designs or draft proofs, while documentation and shipping schedules may also be exchanged in the process.
There are also reviews from people who prepared gifts to give abroad. One buyer of a bookmark and ballpoint pen set wrote the following: "I am taking these along on an overseas business trip to give as gifts to foreign employees based abroad." They added, "I think they will like it from the packaging alone." It is a review that straightforwardly captures the act of packing up items to give to colleagues outside the country.
This is also why office sets are well suited as Chuseok gifts for buyers. A business card case, ballpoint pen, USB drive, and pen holder each have their own place in working life. Mother-of-pearl and traditional patterns add Korean beauty and a wish of blessing to those items.
The desire is to convey gratitude with sincerity. The hope is that the gift will continue to be used long after it is received. The various office sets can become gifts that hold both of those wishes together.
For a broader comparison of product categories
The pages below link only to product categories that connect directly to the selection criteria in this article.
- Sets – Business Card Case and Pen — Gathers only products that pair a business card case with a ballpoint pen. You can view the various configurations of traditional-pattern office sets in one place.
- Sets – USB — Gathers only sets that include a USB drive. Here you can find work-related gifts that go one step further than the business card case and ballpoint pen configuration.