This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NewYearFortune #CollectiveBias
My husband lived in Taiwan for two years and I love hearing about the experiences he had there. Since his birthday is coming up, I wanted to surprise him with a little Chinese New Year party. These DIY Chinese New Year Printable Lanterns are the perfect decorations for a centerpiece for our little get together and they’re really easy to make!
To make these, you’ll need:
- Free Printables, for personal use only!
- Heavy card stock
- Scissors or Silhouette Cameo
- Gold crepe paper
- Black and white paper straws
- Hot glue gun
- First, download the files then unzip the folder.
- Print and cut out the lanterns along the black lines. Make sure you cut out the slits too! Slip the red piece over the yellow piece along the slit.
- Get another yellow piece and red piece and cut them all the way down the middle.
- Place some hot glue along the middle of the lantern from the top (near the slits) to the bottom and attach one of the cut pieces to the center of the lantern.
- Place some glue on the gold crepe paper and wrap it around the bottom of the lantern.
- Cut fringes on the crepe paper.
- Glue a paper straw to the back of the lantern and you’re done!
Of course, it wouldn’t be Chinese New Year without Chinese Food! These egg rolls and spring rolls from Tai Pei® are crispy and delicious and all I have to do is put them in the oven…that leaves me time to make great decor and other yummy food like fried rice (my husband’s favorite)! It also comes with the sauce…feel free to serve it by itself or give your party goers some variety with a sauce you make at home. I found these in the freezer section at Walmart. The pork is my favorite, but I’ll be sure to try the other flavors like chicken and shrimp. Make sure you follow Tai Pei® on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. On Facebook they have a RED ENVELOPE app (on the left hand side of their page) where you can get great offers…but hurry because once all the offers are claimed, they’re gone!
My husband said that the week of Chinese New Years is a HUGE celebration in Taiwan. They hand out candy and gifts to everyone in red envelopes, and say “Congratulations! I wish you wealth!” However, he said that Congratulations (the first two characters in the image below) translates to “Congratulations you survived the night!” I love that this holiday is a time to wish everyone good fortune and happiness.
We’ll also be playing some Chinese Chess for our little party (those are the game pieces shown in my images…cool, right??) I think it’s awesome that my husband had such an amazing cultural experience and I can’t wait to go back there with him! We’ve been planning it for years…so someday you’ll find me instagramming from Taiwan!
This is the “Year of the Sheep…” any Sheep birthdays out there?
Michelle says
I love that your husband had that experience. I have my fingers crossed you’ll be able to go back with him – soon! In the interim, I love how you’re celebrating Chinese New Year. So much fun! #client