Decorating tips for Chinese New Year 2009!
Chinese New Year is around the corner and whether you celebrate it or not here are some fun, easy tips to add the Asian essence to your home with the use of fresh flowers.
Chinese bamboo steamer centerpiece:
Items needed:
- 1 Chinese bamboo steamer -
- Purchase from either an Asian grocery store, Cost Plus World Market, or China Town San Francisco
- 1 floral foam - Soaked for about 3 minutes
- 1 plastic grocery bag - Use bag to line the bottom of the steamer
- Flowers of your choice - Select colors and flowers you love
Steps:
Soak floral foam in lukewarm water for 3 minutes.
Line the bottom of the Chinese Bamboo Steamer with the grocery bag.
Cut pre-soak floral foam to fit the Chinese Bamboo Steamer.
Cut flowers and insert into the floral foam.
It is very easy. Use your imagination to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
Chinese take out box floral creation:
Items needed:
- 1 Chinese take out box - You can ask for a box at your local Chinese restaurant or simply purchase it from your local craft store
- 1 floral foam - Soaked for about 3 minutes
- 1 plastic sandwich bag - Use bag to line the box
- 1 Chinese Chop Sticks - You can ask for one at your local Chinese restaurant or purchase them at your local grocery/special grocery store
- Flowers of your choice - Select colors and flowers you love
Steps:
Soak floral foam in lukewarm water for 3 minutes.
Line the inside of the take out box with the plastic sandwich bag.
Cut pre-soak floral foam to fit the box.
Cut flowers and insert into the floral foam.
Add the chop sticks as whimsical accent to the arrangement.
It is very easy and you can easily do this project with your kids.
Displaying the Chinese Red Envelope:
Simply take a tree branch from your backyard and cut to fit inside a tall vase/fill with water.
Purchase Chinese Red Envelope at the Asian grocery store or the SF Chinatown.
The cost is about $.99-$1.29 for a package of 20.
Hole punch the top of the red envelops.
Fill the envelope with money if you desire.
Take a thin piece of red ribbon and insert it into the hole punched red envelope.
Tie the envelope onto the tree branches and see the amazing result!
A little information about the Chinese Red Envelope that is given during Chinese New Year:
Red envelopes are mainly presented at social and family gatherings such as Chinese weddings or on holidays such as the Chinese New Year. The red color of the envelope symbolizes good luck and is supposed to ward off evil spirits.
The amount of money contained in the envelope usually ends with an even digit, for instance 88, 168 are both lucky numbers, as odd numbered money gifts are traditionally associated with funerals. At weddings, the amount offered is usually intended to cover the cost of the attendees as well as a goodwill to the newlyweds.
During Chinese New Year, mainly in South China, red envelopes (in the north, just money without any cover) are typically given to the unmarried by the married, regardless of age. Traditionally, the red envelope is not supposed to be opened until Chinese New Year is over; otherwise, bad luck would befall you for the whole year.
The symbol of tangerines during Chinese New Year: Tangerines and oranges are given as gifts, as their Chinese names sound like "gold" and "wealth."
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