How to organize a Seollal celebration

Start your Seollal celebration by fixing the date, guest list, and venue before planning the food or activities. Once guests register, collect dietary requirements and confirm how many people need seating, hanbok sizes, and special menu options. Build the day around tteokguk, kimchi and side dishes, then add Yutnori, karaoke, and a short printed program. The final checks are practical: count tableware, chill drinks, label places, and prepare fresh produce close to the event.

Organize this event for free with Lizzt

The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

1
Set the date and guest list
2 people
2
Arrange the venue and space
2 people
3
Send invitations
4
Process registrations
5
Collect dietary requirements
6
Create menu
2 people
7
Calculate catering quantities
2 people
8
Reserve karaoke equipment
9
Reserve extra chairs
10
Inventory hanbok sizes
11
Check Yutnori game
12
Check decorations
13
Check tableware stock
14
Confirm the diet menu
15
Finalize guest numbers
16
Check the shopping list
2 people
17
Order fresh produce
18
Create a music playlist
19
Print the program
20
Write name tags
2 people
21
Do the shopping
3 people
22
Chill drinks
2 people
23
Set out dry ingredients
2 people
24
Prepare kimchi and side dishes
3 people
25
Prepare tteokguk broth
2 people
26
Marinate the meat
2 people
27
Cut vegetables
3 people
28
Portion desserts
2 people
29
Clean the venue
3 people
30
Set up tables and chairs
4 people
31
Set up buffet tables
3 people
32
Set table linen
2 people
33
Hang Korean decorations
3 people
34
Place name tags
2 people
35
Set up the photo area
2 people
36
Set up the Yutnori table
2 people
37
Set up hanbok corner
2 people
38
Connect the sound system
2 people
39
Test music and microphone
2 people
40
Set out buffet tableware
3 people
41
Display cold dishes
3 people
42
Finish hot dishes
4 people
43
Keep tteokguk warm
2 people
44
Set up the drinks buffet
2 people

Event

45
Staff the reception desk
2 people
46
Welcome guests
3 people
47
Help put on hanbok
2 people
48
Serve welcome drinks
3 people
49
Explain the Seollal program
50
Guide the Sebae ceremony
2 people
51
Translate New Year’s wishes
2 people
52
Take group photo
2 people
53
Explain yutnori
2 people
54
Guide Yutnori game
2 people
55
Refill drinks
2 people
56
Serve snacks
3 people
57
Serve bulgogi and japchae
4 people
58
Serve tteokguk
4 people
59
Restock the buffet
3 people
60
Serve dietary meals separately
2 people
61
Open the dessert buffet
2 people
62
Serve tea and coffee
2 people
63
Host karaoke
2 people
64
Serve the last round of drinks
2 people
65
See off guests
3 people

Aftercare

66
Chill leftovers safely
3 people
67
Collect waste
3 people
68
Pre-sort tableware
3 people
69
Clear tables
4 people
70
Clean the kitchen
3 people
71
Wash dishes
3 people
72
Clean the floors
2 people
73
Clean the restrooms
2 people
74
Take down decorations
2 people
75
Put furniture back
4 people
76
Sort the hanbok and game materials
2 people
77
Return borrowed items
2 people
78
Return the karaoke equipment
79
Distribute leftover food
2 people
80
Take waste to the collection point
2 people

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 8
Chairsqty 60
Buffet tablesqty 3
Stoolsqty 6
Clothes racksqty 2
Waste binsqty 4

Tableware

Deep bowlsqty 60
Dinner platesqty 60
Dessert platesqty 60
Chopsticksqty 60
Coffee spoonsqty 60
Drinking glassesqty 80
Wine glassesqty 40
Soup bowlsqty 60
Serving plattersqty 20
Serving spoonsqty 20
Ladlesqty 6
Pitchersqty 8
Serving traysqty 6

Decorations

Korean flagsqty 8
Seollal garlandqty 4
Red table runnersqty 8
Paper fansqty 20
New Year bannersqty 3
LED candlesqty 20
Photo board
Photo propsqty 20
Name badgesqty 60
Table numbersqty 8

Equipment

Karaoke set
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Speakersqty 2
Extension cordsqty 4
Power stripsqty 4
Hot platesqty 4
Food warmersqty 6
Coolersqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 6
Rice cookersqty 3

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 6
Mixing bowlsqty 8
Measuring cupsqty 4
Kitchen tongsqty 6
Frying pansqty 4
Cooking potsqty 5
Aluminum foilqty 3
Food storage containersqty 20
Serving spoonsqty 12
Oven mittsqty 4
Kitchen scalesqty 2

Game materials

Yutnori setsqty 3
Yutnori game boardsqty 3
Game tokensqty 60
Hanbok setsqty 8

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 4
Night lightsqty 4

Catering

Coffee machinesqty 2
Teapotsqty 4
Ice cube traysqty 6
Drink dispensersqty 3
Groceries

Cleaning

Washing-up basinsqty 8
Bucketsqty 4
Mopsqty 4
Broom and dustpanqty 2
Vacuum cleaner
Toilet brushesqty 2
Hand soap dispensersqty 4

Tips

Set the guest deadline at least 10 days before Seollal so you can finalize catering quantities, dietary requirements, seating, name tags, and hanbok sizes without guessing.
Plan food in two stages: prepare kimchi, side dishes, dry ingredients, and tteokguk broth ahead of time, then order fresh produce and finish the menu close to serving.
Count every place setting before guests arrive, including deep bowls or soup bowls, dinner plates, chopsticks, drinking glasses, serving spoons, ladles, and pitchers. Add a small buffer rather than discovering shortages during service.
Reserve the karaoke set and extra chairs as soon as the venue is confirmed. Check the Yutnori game, decorations, photo props, and clothes racks during the same equipment check, not on the morning of the celebration.
Keep the program simple and print it before setup day. Put table numbers, name badges, and the dietary menu where guests can see them, and chill drinks several hours before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I plan a Seollal celebration?: Set the date and venue 4 to 6 weeks ahead, then send invitations. Close registrations about 10 days before the celebration so you can confirm guest numbers, food quantities, seating, and hanbok sizes.
How do I plan food for a Seollal celebration?: Finalize the menu after collecting dietary requirements and calculate portions from the confirmed guest list. Prepare kimchi, side dishes, dry ingredients, and tteokguk broth in advance, while ordering fresh produce 1 to 3 days before the event.
When should I prepare the venue and decorations?: Complete the inventory of tables, chairs, tableware, decorations, and karaoke equipment at least 3 days before the event. Set out banners, garlands, table runners, flags, LED candles, and the photo board during final setup, not while guests are arriving.
How much seating and tableware do I need for Seollal?: Plan one chair and one complete place setting per confirmed guest, including a soup bowl, dinner plate, chopsticks, and drinking glass. Count serving platters, spoons, ladles, trays, and pitchers separately, and keep 5 to 10 percent extra if the venue allows.

Start this plan in Lizzt

Every task and item on this page, ready in your own event. Invite people, split the work, and see who has done what.