Fiesta Friday – Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is on January 26th, Year of the Ox, and if you are looking for Lunar New Year celebration inspiration, look no further. I’ve done all the work for you! 🙂

Take a gander at my post on Asian-inspired parties to get you started, lots of great photos and tips.

The Invites
A sparkling red and gold Chinese calligraphy pattern and bound with golden thread and leaf makes this invitation to-die-for.

Slide over the gold mirror-brite cover of this beautiful round invitation to reveal your wording, stamped in gold foil on a red mirror-brite background.

How fun are these Chinese take-out invitations, dim sum, anyone?

Send this list in your invitations to set the mood…(courtesy of Evite)

• Dress in red. Crimson clothing is said to ward off evil spirits and bad luck.
• Open doors and windows, weather permitting. This lets the old year out and helps good luck find its way into your home.
• Keep lights turned on to scare away any ghosts and bad spirits.
• Don’t wash your hair—you could inadvertently wash away good fortune.
• Avoid mentioning the past. Keep the focus on the new beginning offered by this brand-new year.

Check out The Gospel According to Party Basics for New Nesters; they have a Lunar New Year party outlined with great details like dancing lanterns to greet your guests, simple no-sew napkin ideas, and origami parasols similar to these.

Check out this past Sunday’s post for their tasty cocktail, Golden Orange Sake-tini.

Setting the Scene
*Use red ribbon to wrap around the branches of any indoor plants.
*For added flare, dust gold confetti over a black tablecloth covered with red and gold candles.
*Peonies symbolize love, affection and beauty and are known in China as “Flowers of Riches and Honor.” Float them in glass bowls or sprinkle them across your table. Or try stringing a flower garland to ornament your mantels or doorways.
*Let red and black balloons tied with long gold ribbons drift along the ceiling.
*Line your walkway with traditional Chinese lanterns to draw light and luck straight into your home.

Need party supplies? Asian Ideas.com has a plethora to suit your needs, including Year of the Ox products like red envelopes traditionally used to hold an even amount of money.

The Munchies
Look no further than this list of recipes from Epicurious.com as you invite friends to share a meal that mixes all sorts of Asian symbolism and taste.

Ring in the year of the Ox with your cookie creations using Fancy Flour’s animal or zodiac wafer paper designs.

Family Fun’s clever Chinese checkers cake has gumball checkers.

Send Them Home With a Smile
These bright Chinese coin purses make unique place card holders for guests to take home and enjoy. Or how about decadent chocolate-dipped fortune cookies from beau-coup?