Great Ideas for a Budget Efficient Chinese New Year Party

Chinese New Years Party Ideas - Chinese New Year's party tips, everything from invitations to games, music and decorations.

Invitations

Try to get some Chinese style invitations and send them out by the first week of January. Have people always RSVP so you know what you are working with and need to provide.

Games and Contests

This one is up to you depending on your laws but we go and get the long rolls of Chinese fireworks that last a minute to two each and are in long blocks and set them off while we get inside a Chinese two person dragon and run around the street. These is also guess how many grains of rice are in the bowl. Whoever is closest wins the prize (a miniature statue of the animal for the year). There are lots of game ideas and many more online.

Music

You can either go with a modern type of music in Chinese which is always fun or some relaxing environmental Chinese instruments for a more relaxed feel.

Refreshments & Food

Chinese appetizers of coarse we actually had a Sui Chef but as long as you have egg rolls, maybe some chicken wings with shoyu tamari, California rolls, and some miscellaneous other sides you will be fine. For refreshment I would use sake, purple haze (sake six parts to one part raspberry liquor and heat), and go get a box of Peter Vella (or any boxed red wine) wrap it in red pepper and draw a blood drop in black on the side and right dragons blood. You will be the talk of the town. Generally I say serve and never have alcohol self serve so that you can keep an eye on the party and it's consumption so things don't get out of hand.

Decorations

The theme of your Chinese new year party should always be whatever animal that year is. You should have lots of red balls, Chinese characters, you can find lots of things at any Chinatown if you have one or at oriental trading company. Make sure you give everyone hell-notes (fake Chinese money) and you have lots of Feng Shui around you can get inexpensively. Asian decorations are numerous putting some Foo Dogs at the door with candles and incense is nice. Try however to get unscented incense (they do have) so you do not irritate anyone.

Safety

As with all parties including alcohol either have a place for them to sleep, a cabs number, or a designated driver. I always say you can pay a college student sixty bucks for an hour of driving you guests around town. It shows your concern that you planned ahead and is what a responsible host does.

Lighting and Outdoors

You should have traditional Chinese bulb lighting as well as other lights indoors and out. Have plenty of lighting and if you want you can even do some red lights (cheap at any hardware store or mall) to add to the effect.