This special occasion is practiced in different means, depending on the age group. Elementary students give and receive Pepero from their family members, teachers, and friends. Like what children usually do on Valentine's Day, when they do the same thing out of consideration for exchanging sweets.
Meanwhile, for the young and adults, particularly for those who have the guts, Pepero Day is the time when the chocolate-dipped biscuits are given to girlfriends and boyfriends. Also, it is the day when lots of people (generally teenagers) declare their love for someone through this sweet snack.
Although Pepero Day is similar to Valentine's Day, these two occasions are different in some ways. Rather than gifting chocolates, Koreans exchange Pepero, and while people of all ages participate in Valentine's, younger people mostly recognize Pepero Day.
Before and during Pepero Day, plenty of stores sell the coated cookies and other less-known brands of the same biscuit in bulk, while supermarkets offer giant Pepero and related snacks. In addition, bakeries even make long loaves of bread overlaid with chocolate, looking a lot like Pepero sticks.
On top of that, Lotte typically has a special promotion during Pepero Day, wherein wide variety of Pepero flavors will be available for everyone to try. It's the only time when one gets to see and taste many variations of Pepero.
All one needs to do on this holiday is to find what he/she thinks is the best gift for the recipient and give it to him/her. You can even accompany the Pepero with a message to express your affection. But not everyone buys Pepero; instead they make them on their own. It can either be created from scratch or just add-ons to breadsticks.
What Koreans enjoy most in making personalized Pepero is the decorating part. They make use of different ingredients like melted chocolate, crushed Grahams or cookies, sprinkles, icing, and many more! After ornamenting the sticks, it can be chilled and packaged.
For those who are not fans of Pepero, they have an alternative gift to give, which was just developed a few years ago and has become prominent. Instead of Pepero, rolled-up cash placed in a rectangular box is presented. It is called donppaeppaero which literally means "Money Pepero."
A holiday will not be complete without a greeting, so how will you say "Happy Pepero Day" in Korean? It's "ppaeppaerodei chukahaeyo!"
