If you’ve experienced a rocky start to the new year, you may find yourself eager for a chance to restart and fully embrace 2022’s Lunar New Year. If you’re not sure where to begin, but you’re hungry to celebrate with close friends and family, then read on for a few quick tips on how to embrace this tradition and craft an intimate Lunar New Year party at home.
A Good Old Cleanse… Of the House that is!
Have a Marie Kondo moment and clear out last year’s clutter. Leave the dirt and dust in the past, and prepare your home for a clean fresh start! This may not seem like the most exciting way to get started, but don’t worry– behind all this hard work is an important reward. Part of the reason for doing this is to also allow yourself some frivolity in purchasing new items to replace some of the old. And who doesn’t love the excuse to do a little shopping?
Go Red!
Red is a symbolic color in Chinese culture, symbolizing good energy, wealth, happiness, and protection. Go all out with it! Don’t hold back. This is your chance to transform your home into an immersive space for your guests that will feel special, and stand apart from the traditional affair. Curious what colors you should avoid? This Lunar New Year, say “no” to black and white because they symbolize sadness and loss.
Don’t Shy Away from Being Noisy!
The ancient monster Nian was believed to tear down village houses and eat villagers. Legend tells us that the only way to scare him away was loud sounds. Because of this legend, this is one time of year that noise is welcome; in fact, the louder, the better! Poppers, the clinking of pots and pans, fireworks, and more will help keep Nian away. Find a fun way to incorporate a noisy component into your night.
Hang Your Spring Couplets!
Spring couplets are well wishes for the Lunar New Year. Using red paper strips, have your family write their wishes in black painted ink and hang either side of the front door to offer protection to the home. Another find idea is to write rhymes as a tradition. Curious about other traditional couplets? See here to learn more.
Use Dumplings to Bring People Together!
The unique shape of Chinese Dumplings echoes the image of the gold ingot (gold bars), making them the perfect symbol for welcoming in a wealthy new year. This can be a great activity for your guests to come together and make as a group. For many, this may be the first time they have made dumplings, so give a brief tutorial at the beginning. When they leave, gift everyone your favorite dumpling recipe. They will have learned something new, had fun, and bring something home that they can try again!
Embrace the Animal Zodiac!
2022 is the year of the Tiger, and if we ever needed a “tiger of a year,” 2022 is it! Share this with the group, and discuss what it means to them. Helping each person discover what their animal sign is in the Chinese zodiac can also be fun. Want to learn more about where the zodiac originates from? This video about the Great Race, the legend behind the 12 animals associated with the Chinese zodiac, is a short watch.
A Dessert of Oranges!
Oranges symbolize good luck, good fortune, and abundance. Because of this, they are essential for this celebration. Having small oranges like mandarins in bowls around the house can add to your decor, and are not just a lovely dessert, but a great in-between palette cleanser throughout the evening.
Wishing you the happiest of Lunar New Year’s from Toast of the Town, LLC! We’re hoping that the Tiger takes this year by the claws and makes it amazing for everyone!
