From lanterns to little red envelopes to fortune cookies, these Chinese New Year decor DIYs will bring some major luck and good fortune to your Year of the Chicken party.
1. DIY Paper Lanterns
These paper lanterns are a must-have for any Chinese celebration. To give ’em a more unique look, throw in another pop of color with the traditional red-and-gold theme. Pro tip: Instead of string, hang them from Christmas lights to light up the night.
2. DIY Customized Champagne Bottles
If you’ve got a knack for calligraphy, show off your skills by customizing champagne bottles for the celebratory bubbly. To create the decorative trim, simply overlay the bottle messages atop Chinese-inspired decorative paper. These make for great party favors.
3. DIY Knit Red Pockets
In China, the red packet is called yasui qian, which literally translates to “suppressing ghosts money” and is thought to give its recipients a safe and peaceful year. The red color is significant because it is thought to bring energy, happiness and good luck.
4. DIY Drink Stirrer
Don’t forget the decorations for your drinks! Add a Chinese-inspired drink stirrer like this cluster of plastic Chinese coins, or get creative with your own take.
5. DIY Waffle Fortune Cookies
Life really will get a little sweeter thanks to these delicious gourmet fortune cookies. If you’re drooling for something a tad bit fancier than the usual fortune cookies, try out this sweet little recipe that’ll have everyone asking for it.
6. DIY Origami Invitations
Though the art of origami is widely popular in Japanese culture, its history also dates back to ancient China. Play on origami’s dual cultural origins by meshing Japanese origami cranes with Chinese invitation cards that have the Chinese symbol for “New Year” on one side and details of the celebration on the other.
7. DIY Lantern Riddles
To keep your family entertained, hang riddles or Chinese New Year greetings on notecards from your lanterns. Your cousins will love trying to out-guess each other.
8. DIY Chinese New Year Cake Topper
Ready for the coolest cake you’ve ever had on the Chinese New Year? Well, you will be once you put together this one-of-a-kind cake topper. Don’t worry — the thorough instructions make this DIY a piece of cake.
9. DIY Clay Fortune Cookies
Treat your family members to pretty clay fortune cookie favors to take home once the festivities come to an end. You can even leave personal messages for each of your aunts and uncles inside.
10. DIY Chinese Lantern Embroidery
If you’re a fan of all things teeny tiny, you’ll love this adorable embroidered lantern. Use this quick and easy downloadable pattern, thread some floss through the lantern’s handle and you’re done.
