11-11: Happy Pepero Day!

On Friday morning, one of my students gave me a fake red rose. Why would you give someone a fake rose? The gift wasn't really the rose but the pepero inside. Actually, many of us teachers received pepero from students because Sunday, 11-11, is Pepero Day!

They're everywhere right now. Paris Baguette - a popular coffee shop and sweets chain - has a whole table dedicated to Pepero Day. The convenience store has an entire multi-leveled display with huge sign outside. You can buy stuffed pepero toys (soft and comfy looking like teddy bears). 

What is it? Pepero is a dessert treat that is a stick made of cracker-like ingredients but sweet. The pepero comes dipped in just chocolate, or chocolate and nuts, or strawberry flavoring. 

Pepero Day was created by the makers of pepero to be observed on 11-11 because the number '1' looks like a pepero stick. This holiday is mostly celebrated by young people and couples who give each other pepero to say, "I like you!" Teachers too often receive pepero from students, as we did.