#15 On Becoming the Thoughtful Aunt/Uncle

Editor: @nwangerd, @hyssl.kr

One of the earliest novelties of entering adulthood is attending weddings. I still remember the first time I went to a senior colleague’s ceremony as an intern, frantically googling “Wedding Ang Bao rates for coworkers”. What began as a trickle of weddings from older colleagues soon became a stream that included peers, then friends from school, as my years of work began to accumulate. Just as I was growing accustomed to these weekend rituals, another unexpected title quietly entered my life: “uncle” (or “aunt”).

With this new title came a shift—not just in how others saw me, but in how I saw them. Friends now bore a different weight to their lives, cradling infants who were unmistakably miniature versions of themselves. And while I stood in awe at this surreal mirroring of time, the very first thought that popped into my head was disarmingly simple:

“What… should I buy as a gift?”

Above all, I wanted to be a thoughtful uncle. But once I dove into the world of newborn gifting, I was instantly swept into a sea of ads, influencer reviews, and mind-numbing product comparisons. This chaos didn’t confine itself to online searches either. I’ve spent more than an hour wandering aimlessly in a single store, paralyzed by choice.

After several such experiences, I began assembling a shortlist—gifts that are both practical and pleasing, and available at a range of price points. With the added help of a friend who recently became a proud father, I now present this guide:

On Becoming the Thoughtful Aunt/Uncle.

Note: Naturally, I haven’t personally used any of these items myself (I’m not even married yet). These recommendations are based on feedback from new parents and thorough research. Also, the product links provided may not always be the lowest available prices. I recommend searching across platforms for the best deals. Lastly all the products here are commonly used by parents in Korea.

1. Poled Airluv 4 Oreo Stroller Ventilation Cool Seat | link
   Price: 190,000 KRW
   
   With a name as long as the summer is hot, this is a ventilated seat designed for strollers. It circulates air to keep babies dry and comfortable even during the sweatiest outdoor strolls (frankly, I wish they made one for adults). According to reviews, the most important features are whether it truly prevents babies from overheating, whether it avoids noise, and whether it allows them to nap peacefully. The Airluv 4 by Poled seems to tick all those boxes—comfort, function, and silence in one hexagonal miracle.
   
   
   
2. UPANG UV LED Baby Bottle Sanitizer UP911 | link
   Price: Approximately 400,000 KRW (I bought it for 310,000 KRW after a discount)
   
   When gifting for newborn care, hygiene becomes a central theme. As a thoughtful uncle or aunt, one naturally wants to shield these brand-new humans from all the invisible harms of the world. For objects that touch their skin daily, cleanliness is non-negotiable. The UPANG bottle sanitizer is something of a legend in parenting world. With generous capacity, UV sterilization from multiple angles, and a natural drying function, it handles everything from bottles to toys with ease. It’s a premium gift—and one I’ve personally given to a favorite colleague. (Note: the newer model is now available from the same brand.)
   
   
   
3. Joguman Pacifier | link
   Price: 13,500 KRW
   
   Too cute. Look at these adorable little dinosaurs sketched onto them. While pacifiers are often subject to a baby’s personal preference, reviews suggest that these strike a winning balance between charm and functionality—babies seem to take to them quite well.
   
   
   
4. Tiny Love PlusTales Mobile Korean Edition | link
   Price: 148,500 KRW
   
   On secondhand marketplaces like Carrot, this item reportedly gets snapped up within minutes. For a baby’s first 100 days, when they can’t yet distinguish colors, black-and-white mobiles are recommended. Afterwards, more vivid contrasts help develop eyesight. What I originally assumed was just a cute spinning toy to lull babies to sleep turns out to play a key developmental role. Another small, quiet thing doing something big.
   
   
   
5. Nosiboo Pro Electric Nasal Aspirator for Babies | link
   Price: 269,000 KRW
   
   It hit me again—babies can’t blow their noses. Which is why this nasal aspirator is a necessity. At first glance, the price felt shocking. But with over 70,000 glowing testimonials, I figured it deserved a place on this list. Sometimes, you just believe.
   
   
   
6. RaRas Pillow | link
   Price: 80,000 KRW
   
   

   This pillow, priced under 100,000 KRW, is both a newborn essential and a staple on many “most thoughtful gifts” lists for expecting mothers. Research suggests it helps babies sleep soundly on their side—crucial for early development. Here’s to long nights of uninterrupted sleep on a RaRas pillow… and growing strong enough to play golf with this uncle someday.

   
   
   
7. Rbfy Daily Ampoule Pad | link
   Price: 54,000 KRW
   
   Rbfy is a skincare brand founded by a famous parenting influencer. Its signature daily ampoule pads are said to work wonders for calming infant heat rashes almost instantly. (But really—how is this pronounced? “Rib-fi”? “Ruh-bee-fy”?)
   
   
   
8. Bebesup Signature Baby Wipes | link
   Price: 26,900 KRW (10 packs)
   
   These wipes are thick enough not to tear—even when tackling the inevitable. I was told they were “the kick” in the diaper-changing toolkit.
   
   
9. Xiaomi C400 Home Camera | link
   Price: 46,800 KRW
   
   The Xiaomi C400 is a well-reviewed home camera for monitoring pets or babies. Linked to your phone or tablet via an app, it delivers solid image quality—even at night—and picks up your baby’s sounds with noise-canceling precision. I once overheard a dad watching his sleeping child through the app say, “It’s wild how it filters out background music but catches every little sigh.” It’s affordable, practical, and the final item in this list—for those who wish to become not just any uncle or aunt, but the one with good taste.