Chinese New Year, or Lunar New Year, falls on February 8th this year. People around the world will celebrate the year of the monkey with lantern parades, festivals and parties.
Bring out the chop sticks and order take-out food for your own new year’s party!
Red and gold are the dominant colors for a Chinese celebration. If you’re like me, you have plenty of red dishes and accessories from Christmas parties. If you don’t have a gold tablecloth, use placemats or a length of fabric. The black charger offers some relief from red and gold. It wouldn’t be a party without paper take-out boxes and chop sticks. Buy fortune cookies, but if you make your own, you can get really clever with the fortunes. Write a funny personal one for each guest.
Tie fishline to paper lanterns and attach them to the ceiling. The more the merrier! Just make sure they aren’t close to candles and are high enough so guests can see each other across the table.
Don’t forget to wear red clothing at your dinner. Red is supposed to ward off evil spirits and bad luck.
The Chinese zodiac is represented by 12 animals, each with their own personality traits. Which zodiac sign are you?
- Rat: 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960
- Ox: 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961
- Tiger: 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962
- Rabbit: 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963
- Dragon: 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964
- Snake: 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965
- Horse: 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966
- Sheep: 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967
- Monkey: 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968
- Rooster: 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969
- Dog: 2018, 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970
- Pig: 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971
