Chinese New Year is February 10th this year. You still have time to plan fun table!
The date is based on the lunar calendar which means the date changes every year. Other Asian counties often have different calulations for that day. Surrounding the lunar new year which is the big holiday off the year means schools are out, stores close and huge firework shows take place. It is LOUD!
it’s also Leap year!
We have a Leap Year baby! Every 4 years there is a Febuary 29th. Of course, we always have a birthday celebration. We don’t always have a ‘Chinese New Year’ meal.
This is the Year of the Dragon. I had to look up to see which Chinese zodiac sign was for this year. It’s not something we acknowledge in general.
reason to get together
Our extended family gets together regularly for no reason except that we can.
Last year Amy who had not moved yet had a dinner party with friends for the “Year of the Rabbit”.
The food theme was stuffed noodles or pastries. One brought empanadas. another, pierogis. The girls picked what to brimg based on their own ethnic backgrounds.
The centerpicees were hot pads down the center of the table. They are from Mongolia and made from yak hair. It is the same fabric used for their yurts, their portable homes that they move with the seasons.
Amy made Chinese dumplings but didn’t steam them. She fried the dumplings, also a favorite way to cook them.
What makes this a tradtional celebration?
Can we just focus fo a minute on the red ‘chopsticks’ holder.
They are actually not for chopsticks but they do look great on the table. A golden dragon is a common motif for Chinese decor. Dragons in China are considered lucky, good and strong. They are also protective, not like dragons in western stories at all!
The red choptick holders are actually hong bro (Mandarin) or lai see (Cantonese). They are designed to hold fresh crisp paper bills, money. Children get these as gifts during the new year clebrations. The money in lucky color of red envelopes is to bless children and give them happiness for the new year.
This year unlike Amy’s party we will have our grandchildren around the table. Those red envelopes will have a small cash gift for each of them tucked inside. Jim has aleready gone to the bank for new $2 bills. A fun twist to Chinese meal!
tablescape for chinese new year
Meg shared her new Lego dragon she bought for fun. Just look at all the vibrant colors! Notice the inside of the small cloisonné bowl that is the same bright turquoise that is part of the dragon.
I put it on top of a tall mercury glass candle stick so it could be seen by all. Simple and cute!
Red placemats are a great color as part of the Chinese New Year theme. I used our vintage gold trim plates. Chopsticks were tucked into each hong bao. If you order take out like we will you can use the restaurant’s chopsticks. No need to buy any! I used black napkins from my drawer of exrra stuff and plain glasses.
Red and gold are a great base for a Chinese New Year table sitting. The red envelope are fun addition even if there are no children around. the table.
Finishing touches
The color red and gold are celebration colors in China. By using these colors as a base for your Chinese New Year meal for a festive look is a great start.
No dragons on hand? Flowers and small oranges are popular for tables too. Cherry blossom branches are pretty too.
The tea pot is from our local auction I bought years ago. You can often find these sets in vintage and antique stores. It came with a creamer and sugar bowl. There were also 6 tea cups and saucers. It is western style set decorated with chrysanthemums and a foaming wave that are often seen in Japanese art and painted objects.
The large Chinese platter is from a warehouse in Hong Kong I bought over 30 years go. The cloisonné bowls and silky red placemats with the gold symbols of double blessing add to the theme.
Don’t lament not having actual Asian items. The main focus is on red and flowers. It is often called the spring festival marking the end of winter. Or in some cases depending on where you lived, the promise that spring will come!
I have often shared that we lived in Asia two seperate times for over a decade. That is why I have a collection of Asian things though some things like the tea set did come from a local auction. I have seen similar ones in vintage and antique shops.
You can find many items in those stores and in the Dollar Store, craft ones and Home Goods and on line. I did order the hong bao on line since I couldn’t find them anywhere.
What to serve?
Like most major holidays around the world, each culture has traditional food for the different holidays. For us, we will be ordering our usual take our from our favorite Chinese place. Jim did buy vegetarian egg rolls from Costco that the kids really like to serve. A large platter full of strawberries and pineapple will be on the table too.
We do not plan to cook!
easy planning for a fun chinese new year meal
Hope this helps you plan a fun time nd meal for this traditional holiday that so many celebrate!
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Such a cute way to set a table for a family event. Take out sounds great to make more family time.
Tske out is a good and practical option!
Love that everyone brings food special to them. Such a lovely tradition. Happy Chinese New Year!
We did enjoy the day! Have a good day Rachel.