This year's Chinese New Year is early! January 28 is the first year of 2017. It is a fire rooster (fire is one of the five elements in Chinese philosophy). People who were born in Rooster year are supposed to wear some red all year long (a red watch, bracelet, earrings, underwear, and etc.).
Unless you want to use the same stuff every year, decorate for Chinese new year is a little challenging as there are mainly two colors for celebration in China: red and gold. However, you can use things that the Chinese like to associate with new year such as pine, bamboo, and red plum blossom, or traditional auspicious symbols such as dragon, phoenix, gold coins, fish, paper cuttings, red lanterns, lotus and etc. However, definitely do not use white or yellow chrysanthemums as they are symbolic of lamentation and grief, which are traditional funeral flowers.
This year I am using red plum blossom as the main theme of my Chinese New Year decoration. Red plum blossom is a symbol of strength in Chinese culture as it blooms in the harsh cold weather. It makes a beautiful scene when it blooms out of white snow on the tree. Red plum blossom, together with pine and bamboo, are named as the "three friends in winter." You can see paintings of these three items on lots of traditional Chinese arts. I ordered a bunch of silk red plum blossom branches and some throw pillow cases from China from Taobao and hubby brought them back for me during the summer. I also bought some from pier 1 imports. Here are some similar items online:
Faux Cherry Blossom Pink Branch by Pier 1 Imports
Faux Cherry Blossom White Branch by Pier 1 Imports
red throws:
red flower pillows:
I used a few branches on the chandelier together with some pine sprigs as well:
For the dining table, I used a big piece of cross stitch embroidery work made by my sister-in-law (thousands of hours of work!) as a huge runner. A pair of white and blue porcelain candle holders and a vase. Blue and
white porcelain is a traditional Chinese art widely used in China.
I found some inexpensive blue and white vase and candle holders online for your reference:
For the table setting, big golden chargers, white dinner plates with gold trim are used to hold a folded napkin lotus with a gold coin in the center. Or, you can use a golden napkin ring to make a "flower bud." Chopsticks with red plum blossom carvings are placed on the side, just in case some guests would prefer to use chopsticks. Similar items online:
gold napkin ring：
red napkin:
golden charger:
Of course, red lanterns are essential for new year celebration! I have
these two nestling bamboo lantern candle holder hanging under the
sconces. A few small metal candle holders on the mantle.
This Landen Small Red Lantern by Pier 1 Imports is only $15! It is hard to find the perfect item with an oriental touch you want. Don't worry. You can get it by being creative! For example, you can use red spray paint to change these lanterns to red and they will be perfect on the mantle or a center piece on your dining table or coffee table:
For the breakfast area, a simple paper lantern with Chinese auspicious characters is used as a center piece. Red silk placemats under a golden pattern dinner plate add more festive color on the table.
Inspired by some pinterest pictures, I made my first ever Chinese New Year wreath!
Below you can browse through the items similar to what I have used to create the looks. Most pieces are inexpensive but I did throw in some dream pieces I love - it is still nice to see how beautiful it can be even though I cannot afford them.
Hope you have a wonderful rooster year and make your home beautifully decorated with these auspicious, festive items!
shop for each look below:
