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Chinese New Year - Year of The Rat 

 

 

Chinese New Year

2008 - Year of the Rat

 

 

 

Party Ideas by Party Consultant Michelle Hylton         Updated: 09/07/2008

www.PartyShelf.com

 

Party Plan has multiple vendors on this page. Updates in Progress!

 

Chinese New Year starts with the New Moon on the first day of the new year and ends on the full moon 15 days later. The 15th day of the new year is called the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated at night with lantern displays and children carrying lanterns in a parade.


Click here to view how the 15 days are celebrated.

 

Year of the Rat -This year heralds adventure, joy, harmony and romance. Check out your Chinese Zodiac and more fun things in the year of the Rat.
 

Traditions:

  • Wear Red — Considered a bright, happy color, red is believed to bring the wearer a sunny and bright future.
     

  • Spread Good Fortune — Give red envelopes (“hong bao”) containing a crisp dollar bill to children, unmarried friends, and close friends for good luck.
     

  • Decorate with Meaning — Prepare an octagonal tray full of dried fruits, nuts and sweets called a “Chyuhn-haap” or “tray of togetherness,” which symbolizes a variety of well wishes for the coming year.  Here are some options and their meanings:

    • Candied melon - growth and good health
    • Red melon seed - dyed red to symbolize joy,happiness, truth and sincerity
    • Lychee nut - strong family relationships
    • Cumquat - prosperity (gold)
    • Coconut - togetherness
    • Peanuts - long life
    • Longnan - many good sons
    • Lotus seed - many children

Use red and gold to symbolize wealth and good luck and choose floral arrangements that include plum blossom, peach blossom, chrysanthemums and water lilies.

  • Open Up — On the stroke of midnight, open every door and window in the house to allow the old year out and the New Year in. Blooming Beauty Decorate the house with blooming plants to represent new growth an wealth.
     

  • Fire Away — Set off firecrackers on New Year’s Eve to send off the old year and welcome in the new.
     

  • Clean House — Before New Year’s Day, the entire house should be cleaned to sweep away bad luck from the year that's ending.  All brooms and dustpans must be put away before New Year's Eve. If you clean on New Year’s Day, you may sweep out your family’s good fortune!
     

  • No Swearing — Negative words, death and dying are not to be mentioned, as they could bring bad luck.
     

  • Give a Little-Children, close friends, and family are given “Hong Bao,” little red envelopes on New Year’s Day. They have crisp new bills inside for good fortune. Many people pay off debts before the New Year, too.
     

  • Cutting Up — Get a haircut before the New Year, not during, and be sure to wear your new clothes.
     

  • Lighting Up — Lights should be kept on overnight on New Year’s Eve.
     

  • Meet and Greet — It’s customary to visit close friends and relatives on the New Year.
     

  • Catch of the Day — On the last day of New Year, some single people throw apples (men) or oranges (women) into a river or ocean to wish for a good partner.

Ideas for Celebrating:

  • Host a Chinese potluck or take-out and invite your friends and family over to celebrate the Chinese New Year with you.  Since this is the Year of the Rat, add Ratatouille as a guest of honor, the kids will love it!

  

  • If there is a large Chinese community in your town or city, check to see what will be going on. Often dragon dances, parades and other festivities are scheduled and open to the public. Check your local listings or contact the local Chinese cultural centre or cultural association. The bright and open celebrations are not to be missed!

     

 

Invitation Ideas

 
     
craft : mouse or rat origami - Chinese New Year - Year of Rat

Craft an origami Rat and attach a small card to it or write inside it before folding, attach a note to unfold for a surprise!

 

Send a Ratatouille Rat Invite!

Chinese Shou Invitations

The inside gives you space to fill in: DATE & TIME, and PLACE. 4.0" x 6.0". Comes with matching envelopes & shou stickers. The Chinese shou symbol is one of the oldest symbols of Longevity. Set of 8.

 

                                                    

  Decorating Ideas  
     
Table Decor Room Decor Oversized Decorations
Start with a red table cover or our Chinatown table cover, add our Chinatown partyware and Year of the Rat napkins.  Add to each place setting a pair of chopsticks. 

Place this Chinese Fortune Centerpiece on your table.

Toss some Asian confetti on the table.

Serve fun drinks in Red Glow 12 Oz Cups.

 

Its red and gold for this celebration, so start with some balloons, Chinatown Lanterns, good luck tissue garland  and  a Chinatown New Year Banner.

 

Hang a Chinatown Dragon

from the ceiling.

 


 

Fortune Cookies - Serve up these 2 1/2' x 3' corrugated and cardboard cookies. Assembly required.

Chinese Characters Mural

GIANT DRAGON FANS

Giant Dragon Fans

 

 IMPERIAL DRAGON

 Imperial Dragon Kit

 

Jumbo Inflatable Dragon

approx. 67" long x 42" tall.
made from vinyl
 

 

                                                 

  Game Ideas  
     

Chop Stix Stacking Game    

 

 

  Activities  
     

 

Craft some Chinese lanterns, print off activity and coloring sheets or mini books, learn more about China and the Chinese Zodiac. Click here to enter the Enchanted Learning site.

  

Coloring, Crafts & more! 

 

Adorn each guest with a Chinese Tattoos.

 

                                               

 

                                                    

Extra Party

Supplies
   

 Imprinted Party Items

Links:

Asianideas.com

 

Party Consultant M. Hylton
Copyright © 2008 [PartyShelf.com]. All rights reserved.
Revised: 09/07/08