Dol Angst

I am having some serious...I am not sleeping...thinking about renting cotton candy machines and chocolate fountain...DOL angst. What is a Dol you may ask? According to Wikipedia:
Dol or doljanchi is a Korean tradition that celebrates the first birthday of a baby. This ceremony blesses the child with a prosperous future and has taken on great significance in Korea. The birthday babies wear a hanbok and a traditional hat: a jobawi or gulle for baby girls and a bokgeon orhogeon (호건) for baby boys.

Contents   [hide]  1 History 2 Fortune telling ritual 3 'Dol' food 4 Modern Doljanchi 5 See also 6 External links

[edit]History

In the past, the death rates for children were high and many children died before their first birthday, so it was an important milestone for the baby and parents. The whole village used to celebrate a baby's first birthday, sharing foods and wishing for long life and fortune for the baby.

[edit]Fortune telling ritual

The highlight of the dol is a ritual where the child is placed in front of a table of foods and objects such as string, brushes, ink and money. The child is then urged to pick up an object from the table. It is believed the one selected will foretell the child's future. For example, if the child picks up a brush or book, he is destined to be smart. If he picks up money he will be wealthy; If he picks up food that means he will not be hungry. If the child picks up the thread, it is believed he will live a long life. The types of objects placed on the table for the baby to choose has evolved over time, as a reflection of society's evolving perception of successful occupations. Some parents place a computer mouse on the table, which signifies success in the high-tech field, or a toothbrush, hoping that the baby will be a dentist. However, many parents remain more traditional in their selection of objects to place on the table. This is followed by feasting, singing and playing with the toddler. Most often, guests will present gifts of money, clothes, or gold rings to the parents for the child at this time.

[edit]'Dol' food

Tteok, rice cake for doljanchi

At home family members give thanks to Samshin (three gods who take care of the baby's life while growing up) by serving plain rice, seaweed soup, and rice cakes. For the party, parents prepare a special 'Dol' table, where food is stacked high to symbolize a life of prosperity for the baby. The table is set mainly with a rice cake of pretty rainbow layers, seaweed soup, and fruits. Miyeok guk (seaweed soup) is served on every birthday after the first birthday to remind people of what their mother went through to bring them into the world.

[edit]Modern Doljanchi

The celebration is usually held in buffet restaurants or wedding halls. Parents prepare some prizes for guests and upon entering the party, everyone gets a piece of paper on which a number is written. During the party guests who correctly answer a question about the baby win a prize. The host of the party, or an entertainer, also calls out a number randomly, and the person who has that number receives a prize.

Yenna's 1st Dol at Woo Lae Oak April 2009

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****I am actually glad that I have done one before but this is just crazy that I feel like I haven't done anything yet (which I haven't) and now there is just an incredible amount of stuff to do:

1.) Make sure that the date is locked in. Sat., November 3, 2012

2.) Meet with planner to see if this will help

3.) go through guest list again and tally

4.) Think about a coordinated look for the family

5.) lose 15 lbs (NEED TO LOSE THIS NOW!!!)

6.) think about the program

7.) Make the Dol towers

8.) Secure the theme

9.) Think about favors and secure them

10.) Get the pdf of the save the date by September 1

11.) OMG...why did I wait all summer???Why am I a profligate procrastinator? WHY WHY WHY?????

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