Seollal celebration checklist: plan it in the right order

A Seollal celebration needs more than a menu and a few decorations. You have to confirm guest numbers, collect dietary requirements, organize space for food and activities, and check practical details such as hanbok sizes, tableware, and karaoke equipment. Food preparation also needs a clear sequence: order fresh produce, prepare kimchi and side dishes, and make the tteokguk broth close enough to serving time. Use this checklist to keep the planning on schedule and avoid last-minute gaps.

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The plan, step by step

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

Preparations

Set the date and guest list
2 people
Arrange the venue and space
2 people
Send invitations
Process registrations
Collect dietary requirements
Create menu
2 people
Calculate catering quantities
2 people
Reserve karaoke equipment
Reserve extra chairs
Inventory hanbok sizes
Check Yutnori game
Check decorations
Check tableware stock
Confirm the diet menu
Finalize guest numbers
Check the shopping list
2 people
Order fresh produce
Create a music playlist
Print the program
Write name tags
2 people
Do the shopping
3 people
Chill drinks
2 people
Set out dry ingredients
2 people
Prepare kimchi and side dishes
3 people
Prepare tteokguk broth
2 people
Marinate the meat
2 people
Cut vegetables
3 people
Portion desserts
2 people
Clean the venue
3 people
Set up tables and chairs
4 people
Set up buffet tables
3 people
Set table linen
2 people
Hang Korean decorations
3 people
Place name tags
2 people
Set up the photo area
2 people
Set up the Yutnori table
2 people
Set up hanbok corner
2 people
Connect the sound system
2 people
Test music and microphone
2 people
Set out buffet tableware
3 people
Display cold dishes
3 people
Finish hot dishes
4 people
Keep tteokguk warm
2 people
Set up the drinks buffet
2 people

Event

Staff the reception desk
2 people
Welcome guests
3 people
Help put on hanbok
2 people
Serve welcome drinks
3 people
Explain the Seollal program
Guide the Sebae ceremony
2 people
Translate New Year’s wishes
2 people
Take group photo
2 people
Explain yutnori
2 people
Guide Yutnori game
2 people
Refill drinks
2 people
Serve snacks
3 people
Serve bulgogi and japchae
4 people
Serve tteokguk
4 people
Restock the buffet
3 people
Serve dietary meals separately
2 people
Open the dessert buffet
2 people
Serve tea and coffee
2 people
Host karaoke
2 people
Serve the last round of drinks
2 people
See off guests
3 people

Aftercare

Chill leftovers safely
3 people
Collect waste
3 people
Pre-sort tableware
3 people
Clear tables
4 people
Clean the kitchen
3 people
Wash dishes
3 people
Clean the floors
2 people
Clean the restrooms
2 people
Take down decorations
2 people
Put furniture back
4 people
Sort the hanbok and game materials
2 people
Return borrowed items
2 people
Return the karaoke equipment
Distribute leftover food
2 people
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

Finalize the guest count before calculating catering quantities. The number affects seating, soup bowls, chopsticks, drinking glasses, hanbok sizes, and the amount of tteokguk and side dishes you need.
Check dietary requirements before finalizing the menu, then confirm the diet menu again shortly before the celebration. Keep the confirmed version with the shopping list so special meals are not overlooked.
Reserve karaoke equipment, extra chairs, and the venue space early rather than waiting until the final week. Karaoke, buffet tables, clothing racks, and activity areas all compete for floor space.
Count tableware by item, not just by place setting. Check deep bowls, soup bowls, dinner plates, serving platters, ladles, pitchers, and glasses separately, allowing enough for the final guest count plus replacements.
Do the fresh-produce shopping close to the event and chill drinks before guests arrive. Set out dry ingredients in advance, while preparing kimchi, side dishes, and tteokguk broth according to how fresh each item needs to be.

Frequently asked questions

How far in advance should I plan a Seollal celebration?: Set the date, guest list, and venue at least 4 to 6 weeks ahead. Send invitations early enough to collect registrations and dietary requirements before you calculate food quantities and seating.
How much food do I need for a Seollal celebration?: Base quantities on the finalized guest count, then plan one main serving of tteokguk per guest plus side dishes and a small buffer of about 10%. Confirm the count before shopping and ordering fresh produce.
When should I prepare tteokguk broth for Seollal?: Prepare the broth close to the celebration so it can be reheated and served safely on the day. Set out dry ingredients earlier, but leave final cooking and assembly until the planned meal period.
What should I check the week before a Seollal celebration?: During the final week, confirm registrations, dietary requirements, guest numbers, venue layout, hanbok sizes, karaoke equipment, decorations, tableware, and the shopping list. Print the program and prepare name badges before the event day.

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