Chuseok

Hello, little one. I am a grandmother, or as we say in Korea, a halmoni. I want to tell you about my favorite time of the year, a special holiday called Chuseok. We celebrate it in the autumn when the harvest is ready and the moon in the night sky is big, round, and so very bright. Chuseok is like a big thank-you party. We say thank you for all the yummy food that the earth gives us, like sweet fruits and fluffy rice. It is a wonderful day to remember to be thankful for all the good things we have.

On Chuseok, my house fills with happy sounds because my whole family comes to visit. We all dress up in our beautiful, colorful clothes called hanbok. They have bright colors like pink, blue, and yellow, and they feel so nice to wear. In the kitchen, we gather to make special rice cakes called songpyeon. We make the dough together and fill them with sweet beans or sesame seeds, then shape them to look just like little half-moons. It is so much fun. When the big, beautiful moon is shining, all the children hold hands and we dance in a big circle. This fun, happy dance is called ganggangsullae, and we sing songs as we dance under the moonlight.

A heart full of happiness is what Chuseok gives me. It is a special time for big hugs, sharing delicious food, and being together as a family. This is the most important part—feeling all the love around you. We share these happy times so that our children and our children’s children will always remember this celebration. I teach my grandchildren how to make the songpyeon and sing the songs. This way, the tradition is passed down like a gift, reminding everyone to be thankful for family and for the wonderful harvest each and every year.