| "body"> | | | | Whatever you decide, you want candle or mood |
| What a great theme for a party with not a lot of | | | | lighting for your party. Be creative but use Asian |
| expense. Don't be deterred by the fact that | | | | influences. |
| Chinese New Year is not always on a weekend. I | | | | Chopsticks: Again, don't get carried away. If you |
| know it is hard to believe but people actually | | | | are not a regular chopstick user then don't buy $5 |
| socialize Sunday through Thursday nights too. A | | | | pair sticks. You can get them in packs of 10 for |
| party doesn't have to be on a weekend. Just | | | | $2.50 and they come in all different colors and |
| keep it light and inviting. | | | | shapes. |
| What do you need? | | | | Tableware: If you are picking up the dim sum or |
| Friends, Food & Drink, Chinese Dishes & | | | | appetizers right before the party, then you can |
| Chopsticks, Laterns or Luminaries, Party Favors | | | | serve them on platters/dishes or if the restaurant |
| How to execute? (Remember our basic | | | | provided nice containers serve from the |
| entertaining rule - always plan and have a list): | | | | containers with chopsticks although we don't |
| Guests: | | | | recommend this method. If you are purchasing |
| Make your guest list. We recommend that you | | | | earlier in the day, you might want to invest in one |
| keep the gathering small. 10 close friends who | | | | or two tiered bamboo steamers. They run about |
| aren't intimidated by a Wed night social event | | | | $7 each. Otherwise, get some nice Chinese/Asian |
| work well. However, when you have a small | | | | serving plates (square or oval). |
| gathering it is important that every person attend | | | | Then you need dishes for your guests. This is |
| so it doesn't look like you have no shows. Make | | | | very basic. Plates, tea cups if serving tea and |
| sure you get rsvps. If your friends are reliable | | | | dishes for sauces. Pearl River Mart has several |
| email users, use and select the Chinese New Year | | | | different designs that come in melamine (approx |
| themed invitation. If not, send out paper | | | | $4/person for a whole set), which looks nice, |
| invitations 3 weeks in advance and follow up with | | | | doesn't break and is dishwasher safe. It is less |
| a phone call. | | | | expensive than buying china or ceramic. However, |
| Food: | | | | if you eat a lot of Chinese food in a structured |
| Find a local dim sum restaurant. Do not attempt | | | | setting (take out on Sat night does not count) |
| this cooking yourself. If there isn't one, use your | | | | then you might want to invest in the real thing. |
| local Chinese restaurant and order appetizers. Call | | | | Favors for your Guests: |
| ahead and ask them to fax you a menu or drop | | | | This is Chinese New Year and not a regular dinner |
| by and get one. While you are chatting, find out | | | | party so party favors are appropriate. Again, |
| how far in advance they need the order and | | | | check out your local Asian stores for inexpensive |
| inquire about pickup vs delivery. Allow extra time | | | | trinkets. Again, it is CNY so ticky tacky gifts are |
| if you are having it delivered. | | | | OK. This is fun, not a gift to the visiting |
| Small Group (10-12 people): Choose 4-5 items and | | | | Ambassador from China. Put them in Asian style |
| make sure you order enough pieces for each | | | | mini-gift bags or take away containers. Pearl River |
| guest. | | | | Mart has a whole section of CNY paraphernalia. I |
| Large Group: Choose 6-8 items and order | | | | found a ton of Asian themed items for $1 each |
| ½ the number of pieces as you have | | | | at Target a few months ago. You just never |
| guests. | | | | know where your party favors will be. Keep your |
| Order one or two sweet pastries using the same | | | | eyes open. |
| rule for number of pieces. | | | | The budget (112-195 if starting from scratch): |
| Beverage: | | | | Decorations: $10-30 |
| If you are concerned about it being a "school | | | | Tableware: $30-50 |
| night" even though we told you to get over that, | | | | Beverage: $2-20 |
| serve Chinese tea. If not, serve Chinese beer or | | | | Food: $50-75 |
| select one Asian influenced mixed drink. This is not | | | | Gifts: $20 |
| the occasion to stock the full bar. | | | | If you don't want to spend that much on a party, |
| Supplies and Decorations: | | | | here are some ways to cut the budget: |
| Take a trip to Chinatown and pick up chopsticks, | | | | - Find a paper store that sells square small plates |
| dishes, cups, lanterns or luminaries and little party | | | | in paper. Select a pattern that is plain red or black |
| gifts for your guests. Don't want to go to | | | | or select something in an Asian style. |
| Chinatown, shop from the comfort of your | | | | - Use Christmas lights instead of buying lanterns |
| computer (or call us of course). Pearl River Mart in | | | | and luminaries |
| NYC has everything you will need and you can | | | | - Make Origami paper gifts |
| shop via internet if you aren't in NYC. HOWEVER, | | | | - Non-alcoholic beverages are always cheaper |
| make a list first. It is easy to get carried away | | | | than alcohol |
| and buy things you don't need. | | | | And now it is time to celebrate! |
| Lanterns range in price from $3 each up to $20. | | | | (This article is not intended to be a how to for an |
| Make sure you have a place to hang them | | | | actual Chinese New Year celebration. It is just a |
| without starting a construction project. An | | | | fun party idea for those who are bored with the |
| alternative is a string of lights that have paper | | | | traditional sit down dinner or cocktail party. |
| lantern globes on them. Luminaries are also great. | | | | |