Miycreations Project
article and photographs
by  MaddyLane

MIY “Decorating for the Chinese New Year”


2011 is the year of the Golden Rabbit, which is an animal that symbolizes luck.
Rabbits are private individuals and a bit introverted The Chinese New Year's
Eve and New Year's Day is celebrated as a family affair, it is a time for reunion
and for giving thanks. It is said that; the Chinese New Year starts with the new
moon on the first day of the New Year and ends 15 days later on the full moon.
The 15th day of the New Year is called the “Lantern Festival”, which is
celebrated at night with an array of lantern displays for this festive occasion.
The paper folding-style lantern is the most common type, however there are
many varieties of lanterns made of different shapes and materials.

Hands-on time: under 1 hour
Skill: easy
Project cost: Under $10.00

Materials & tools:
Chinese paper lantern (30 cm x 30 cm x 30 cm) available in Chinatown and at
some home décor stores.

Decorative wire and wire cutters

Beads in assorted colors and sizes (I used black beads, wooden beads, and red
beads)*

4 gold tassels

Scissors

Clear double-stick tape (by Scotch 3M)

Spray adhesive (optional)

Fancy decorative trimming in assorted colors (I used Adornaments Fun Fibers
by EK Success available at craft stores. They are sold in packages of 3 meters
of 7 different trimmings in assorted colors)

(Materials for this project are available at arts, craft above mentioned stores)

Chinese paper lanterns bring to light a certain festive feeling and that is what
makes them simply irresistible. Due to their versatility, Asian lanterns also make
beautiful decorative items around the home and garden. This tassel lantern
project can be made in just minutes and they are ideal in decorating for Chinese
New Year's, or any party for that matter!

Hang up the lantern in order to be able to reach it and to work around it with
ease. Make four decorative tassels to ornament the lantern.  Insert a wire with a
length of 5 cm around the tassel crown, to secure, fold the end back onto itself
and twist it. Add four decorative beads of your choice. Make a small L-shaped
bend in the wire about 1.0 cm above the last bead.

Place the tassels, one at each of the corners, by gently pushing the wire
through the paper and over the wooden base frame and then wrap the wire
back onto itself to secure it.

The goal is to adorn the three center bands of the paper lantern to give it color
and style. Adhere a very small piece of double-stick tape to each corner of the
three center bands. Then, with the fancy decorative trimming, using one color or
type at a time, wrap the decorative strings in a circular motion going around the
surface of the lantern in a crisscross fashion.  Gently press the corners of the
trimmings to the double-stick tape. Repeat this step for each additional color
and style of decorative trim added. For extra hold once the lantern is completed
you can lightly spray it with spray adhesive.













Decorating for the Chinese New Year, tips and traditions:  
For Chinese New Year's celebrations, families decorate their living rooms with
vases of pretty blossoms, platters of oranges and tangerines and a candy tray
filled with a variety of eight, dried, sweet fruit. The walls and doors are adorned
with poetic couplets and happy wishes are written on red paper.

Decorations are red and gold, and red clothing is worn because it is considered
a happy, bright color which is said to bring good fortune. Also for good fortune,
children, unmarried friends, and close relatives are given lai see, which are little
red envelopes in which money is inserted.

Flowers and plants: Decorating with flowers and plants is an important
tradition for the Chinese New Year. Among the most valued are such flowers as;
plum blossoms, pussy willows, azaleas, peonies, water lilies, orchids,narcissus,
bamboo and pine sprigs. Each Chinese household should have live blooming
plants which symbolize rebirth, new growth and wealth. “Blessed is the home
with a blossoming plant on New Year's Day”, this predicts a year of prosperity.

Oranges and Tangerines: Etiquette dictates that one must bring a bag of
oranges and tangerines and enclose a red envelope when visiting family and
friends during the two-week long Chinese New Year celebration. Tangerines are
frequently displayed in homes and stores because they are symbols for
abundant happiness, good luck and wealth.








Candy Tray: (Also known as "The Tray of Togetherness") It is an arrangement
of assorted sweet candies displayed either in a circle or octagon fashion to start
the New Year sweetly and to welcome guests and relatives who drop by. Adults
place a red envelope at the center of the tray after taking several pieces of
candy. Each item represents a good fortune such as; candied melon - growth
and good health, red melon seed - dyed red to symbolize joy, happiness, truth
and sincerity, lychee nut - strong family relationships, cumquat - prosperity
(gold), coconut – togetherness, peanuts - long life, lotus seed - many children.
Fireworks are a favourite on New Year’s Eve, another way of sending out the
old year in order to welcome in the new year. According to Chinese customs, all
the doors and windows are left open at the stroke of midnight to allow the old
year to go out.  
© All Rights Reserved 2011
Photos and miycreations projects are copyrighted
~by MaddyLane Designs~
Miy Chinese New Year Decor

C r e a t i o n s  & I n s p i r a t i o n s
Decorating for the Chinese New Year,
tips and traditions:  
For Chinese New Year's celebrations,
families decorate their living rooms with
vases of pretty blossoms, platters of
oranges and tangerines and a candy
tray filled with a variety of eight, dried,
sweet fruit. The walls and doors are
adorned with poetic couplets and happy
wishes are written on red paper.
Decorations are red and gold, and red
clothing is worn because it is considered
a happy, bright color which is said to
bring good fortune. Also for good fortune,
children, unmarried friends, and close
relatives are given lai see, which are little
red envelopes in which money is inserted.
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Photos and miycreations projects are copyrighted 2012
~by MaddyLane Designs~
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Blossom Painting on
Ceramic ~ Sake Set
Click on Image to see
Chopstick Dinner Party Music
Many of my friends are musicians. This is what
happens when you give them chopstick for
dinner. It was most spontaneous
and very fun evening.
Decorating for the Chinese New year
Chopstick Dinner Party Music
See the video, click on image
© All Rights Reserved 2011
Photos and miycreations projects are copyrighted
~by MaddyLane Designs~
LofaSofa
made in Quebec, Canada
Calendrier 2013 Calendars
Vaudreuil-Soulanges  par - by Maddylane
au profit de la  Maison de soins palliatifs de Vaudreuil-Soulanges
to benefit the Vaudreuil-Soulanges  Palliative Care Residence