| Celebrate the Year of the Dog with Chinese-American | | | | on to for specific vendors. Always have soda on hand |
| Flair - | | | | for those who do not drink alcohol. Tea is another |
| Easy Tips for Hosting A Fire Cracking Chinese New | | | | nonalcoholic beverage that suits the mood.Decorations: |
| Year PartyAs if you needed another excuse to party, | | | | Red, a color believed to scare away evil spirits, should |
| January 29, 2006 marks the beginning of the lunar | | | | dominate the palette of your decor and be |
| year 4074, better known as the Chinese New Year. | | | | complimented with accents of gold, a lucky color. |
| Much like its Western counterpart, this holiday is | | | | Paper lanterns should be hung and candles spread |
| traditionally seen as a time to gather friends and family | | | | around to create atmosphere. Plenty of stores offer |
| together to celebrate new beginnings.Throwing your | | | | these goods and they can also be found online. |
| own Chinese-American themed party is a wonderful | | | | Google "party decorations" for an abundance of |
| way to bring your loved ones together, warm up from | | | | options. "Foo," the character for fortune and luck, highly |
| the frigid winter, and renew those barely remembered | | | | displayed in China during the New Year, should be |
| resolutions. Below are some easy tips courtesy of | | | | visible and can be placed on various surfaces, like |
| Vroom Media, consultant for leading Asian brands, for | | | | napkins and door hangers, with magic marker. |
| throwing your own Chinese-American party for the | | | | Oranges and tangerines, symbolic of luck and wealth, |
| Year of the Dog.Invitations: Head down to Chinatown | | | | can be placed in bowels to make a beautiful and |
| to pick up some pretty party invites. If you have no | | | | interesting conversation piece.Dress code: Have |
| time to make it, order some online or send an | | | | everyone arrive in red, the color traditionally worn on |
| e-greeting. Plenty of internet companies now offer | | | | this holiday. For a more unconventional scene have |
| cards specific to Chinese New Year. Not only will you | | | | everyone come costumed as one of the twelve |
| save yourself a trip, but also the cost of | | | | animals of the zodiac.Gifts: Lai-See Envelopes filled |
| postage.Entree: There is always the option of ordering | | | | with money are given to children, young adults, and |
| from your preferred take-out place, but there are | | | | newlyweds during this time of year. Find them at the |
| plenty of simple dishes if you would like to cook your | | | | above listed stores and fill them with fake bills or |
| own. Noodles, a staple favorite, should be left uncut to | | | | coupons for small prizes. Another idea is to go down |
| represent a long life. Several brands found at your | | | | to Chinatown and have an artist illustrate the names of |
| local grocer offer oven-ready egg rolls, spring rolls, and | | | | those on your guest list. These can be used as seating |
| won-tons. Of course, you can never go wrong with | | | | place cards and taken home at the end of the |
| chicken and soy sauce. Food can be placed in | | | | night.Entertainment: For some authentic fun set out |
| take-out boxes, available on-line and at local | | | | mahjong tiles for guests to play. Scatter sheets of |
| restaurants. Be sure to get lots of chopsticks.Desert: A | | | | origami paper along with instructions for a fun, artsy |
| traditional Chinese "Tray of Togetherness," makes a | | | | activity. Rent a bunch of Kung Fu movies to play softly |
| wonderful desert. The tray is comprised of eight | | | | in the background and if things get rowdy have your |
| different dried fruit candies. Have fun and make your | | | | own Jackie-Chan style competition. Download some |
| own combination using American favorites like jelly | | | | current Chinese music from and intersperse it with |
| beans and M & M's. Fortune Cookies are always a hit. | | | | some Chinese-American influences like Yo Yo Ma, |
| Make your own fortune and wrap it around the | | | | Wu-Tang Clan, and Michelle Branch. Dance the night |
| cookie.Drinks: What is an Asian party without an | | | | away and give each other fake tattoos with Chinese |
| authentic Asian beer? TIGER BEER, a premium import | | | | characters.The best part: Chinese Lunar New year |
| from Singapore and brand synonymous with Chinese | | | | lasts 15 days, giving you plenty of time to prepare. |
| New Year celebrations in Southeast Asia, enhances | | | | Remember to have fun and keep a smile on your |
| the flavor of the food and is available at in New York | | | | face. |
| and at grocers and supermarkets in major cities. Log | | | | |