Start this year off by inviting friends over for a casual Asian inspired dinner party. It also just so happens that January 26th marks the start of the Year of the Ox on the Chinese Lunar calendar so it is the perfect time to celebrate a New Year and a new you, and the arrival of the Chinese New Year.
You can peek your guest’s interest by sending a handmade invitation (pictured here). These invites are easy to make and only require a few items:
- Scrapbooking paper: printed on both sides (a card stock thickness is best)
- Coordinated paper to write fortunes
- Small Chinese take-out boxes
- Moss (or tissue shreds)
- A circle template (you can also use a soup can)
- Glue dots or other permanent adhesive stickers
- Start by using your soup can or circle template and trace circles on your scrap-booking paper
and then cut out each circle.
- Roll the circle into a tube and use a glue dot to adhere the inside of one edge of the circle to the outside other edge of the circle.
- Pre-print some fun and unique fortunes on the card stock and then cut them into thin strips. Insert them into the tubes that you've created.
- To make each fortune cookie, hold the tube by the open ends, with the glued edges facing toward the ground. Gently fold the open edges of the tube up and towards each other until they touch - making the perfect crescent shape for your fortune cookie.
- Place a small amount of filler into your take-out boxes and then place the cookies inside.
- Your invitations are now ready to send.
Location, location, location! Think Real estate Fung Shei and that usually means considering your living room – throw pillows around the coffee table to create a low table – it’s the perfect spot to serve dinner. In warmer weather, the backyard or patio are also great options.
Set the tone for the evening by hanging paper lanterns throughout the party! They are festive and elegant and there are so many different styles that injects instant ambiance. Choose from vibrant solid color lanterns, funky shaped natural wood tone lanterns or red and gold traditional Chinese lanterns.
Start your table-scape with bamboo placemats, silver chargers, eco-friendly bamboo plates and don’t forget the chopsticks. Paper fans not only make for a great table decoration, but also can double as place cards. There are so many great centerpiece ideas to choose from for this party, but we recommend you opt for something simple like these azar planters filled with moss and Chinese lantern branches to create the perfect Zen table.
As for the menu... just add Chinese food and fortune cookies; you’ll have an instant party with absolutely no hassle. It really is that simple.
Great decorations, good food and great activities guarantee that you will want to repeat this party every year.
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beautiful!! i love the color sceme...not the same ol' red and black
Posted by: Jamee Bryant | January 13, 2009 at 08:59 AM
Fabulous! I agree with the pp-the colors are wonderful! I'll be linking.
Posted by: Rachel | January 13, 2009 at 10:21 AM
It isn't what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about. Do you agree?
Posted by: Air Jordan | March 16, 2011 at 12:57 AM
It isn't what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about. Do you agree?
Posted by: Air Jordan | March 16, 2011 at 12:57 AM