Throw a Chinese New Year 2008 Party - The Year of the Rat
Gipsy
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The last strains of "Auld Lang Syne" have faded and now you're faced with an onslaught of diet and on-line dating commercials. If you want to enjoy the holiday season a little longer, consider throwing a Chi 
nese New Year Party on February 7.
The Chinese New Year is actually a 15-day celebration, which begins on the new moon of the new year and ends with the full moon which is usually two weeks later. The first 14 days of Chinese New Year are set aside for a time of celebrating family, friends and ancestors with respect and lots of food. But the biggest party is the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day.
Here are some recipes, ideas and tips for bringing in 2008 - The Year of the Rat with some classic and modern Chinese New Year twists.
Invitations
To get your guests into the spirit, be creative with your Chinese New Year invitations. Paper lanterns or rice-paper fans are available at most party stores, and are fairly simple to make yourself. (See my articles on how to make paper-lanterns and fans just for this purpose.) Use a calligraphy pen to write your instructions and directions. Add the phrase: "Gung Hay Fat Choy!" ("Happy New Year!") or research Chinese calligraphy symbols. Find the symbol for the rat (because 2008 is the Year of the Rat), or the dragon, which is always a sign of good luck, or something personal to you and your friends.
Decorating: Think Red
Red is the only color scheme you need. It is the luckiest color and traditionally believed to scare off evil spirits. As the host or hostess, you should definitely be in red and encourage your guests to wear red also. Place red Chinese New Year banners (again, from a party store, special ordered online, or make your own) on your front door and windows. Use streamers, balloons and banners around your house or apartment. Gold accents are a popular color to go with all the red. Depending on the size of your room, consider buying large posters of travel photographs from China, like landscapes, the Great Wall, traditional pagodas, etc. These can be done tastefully to put your guests more in the mood.
The Chinese New Year is actually a 15-day celebration, which begins on the new moon of the new year and ends with the full moon which is usually two weeks later. The first 14 days of Chinese New Year are set aside for a time of celebrating family, friends and ancestors with respect and lots of food. But the biggest party is the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day.
Here are some recipes, ideas and tips for bringing in 2008 - The Year of the Rat with some classic and modern Chinese New Year twists.
Invitations
To get your guests into the spirit, be creative with your Chinese New Year invitations. Paper lanterns or rice-paper fans are available at most party stores, and are fairly simple to make yourself. (See my articles on how to make paper-lanterns and fans just for this purpose.) Use a calligraphy pen to write your instructions and directions. Add the phrase: "Gung Hay Fat Choy!" ("Happy New Year!") or research Chinese calligraphy symbols. Find the symbol for the rat (because 2008 is the Year of the Rat), or the dragon, which is always a sign of good luck, or something personal to you and your friends.
Decorating: Think Red
Red is the only color scheme you need. It is the luckiest color and traditionally believed to scare off evil spirits. As the host or hostess, you should definitely be in red and encourage your guests to wear red also. Place red Chinese New Year banners (again, from a party store, special ordered online, or make your own) on your front door and windows. Use streamers, balloons and banners around your house or apartment. Gold accents are a popular color to go with all the red. Depending on the size of your room, consider buying large posters of travel photographs from China, like landscapes, the Great Wall, traditional pagodas, etc. These can be done tastefully to put your guests more in the mood.