Chinese New Year is one of the most important celebrations in Chinese culture. Celebrated by millions of people around the world, this moment is not only a place to gather with family. But also the right time to beautify the house with Chinese New Year decorations ideas.
Chinese New Year Decorations Ideas to Add to the Festivity
In Chinese beliefs, decorations in Chinese new year cannot be chosen carelessly. Each ornament has its own philosophy and meaning. The color red, for example, is believed to be able to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck. While gold symbolizes prosperity and wealth.
Therefore, choosing and arranging decorations is not just a matter of aesthetics. More than that, it also concerns the traditional values that have been passed down from generation to generation. Both for those who want to create a classic feel or those who like a modern minimalist style. Of course, there are various decoration ideas that we can adapt according to taste.
Come on, check out some of the must-have decoration items for the following Chinese New Year celebrations. Complete with simple DIY tips so you can make them yourself at home.
1. Red Lantern
The first choice is the red lantern which is the most popular decoration icon. Usually hung on the door of the house, yard, or along the road in the Chinatown area. This lantern symbolizes the exorcism of evil spirits and brings good luck.
We can buy ready-made lanterns. If you have time, making your own with red cardboard and glue is a fun option. Based on the video clip on Short @DIY_handwork, how to make it is quite easy.
You only need to roll a sheet of red paper into a tube. Then cut vertically from top to bottom and form a lantern by joining the top and bottom using glue or staples. Add a handle made of gold ribbon to make it look more attractive.
2. Hanging Fu Decoration
The character “Fu” which means “luck” is usually attached upside down on the door or wall of the house. Placing it upside down symbolizes that good luck “has come”. This decoration is usually made of red paper with gold writing. You can make it yourself by printing the Fu character using a printer. You can also write it with a brush and gold ink on red paper.
3. Annual Shio Ornaments
Shio characters should not be left out in the selection of Chinese new year decorations. Each year in the Chinese calendar is represented by one of the twelve zodiac animals. Including decorations depicting the year’s shio is a form of respect for the cycle of time in Chinese tradition. We can buy dolls, stickers, or key chains with shio themes. Even making your own with flannel, paper, or clay is no less unique.
4. Red Envelopes (Angpao)
Angpao not only functions to give money to children and unmarried people. But we can also use it as decoration. Arrange some angpao in the form of a fan, flower, or hang it like a string. You can use a glue gun to form a pattern according to your taste. The red and gold colors on the angpao will strengthen the nuance of the Chinese New Year celebration at home.
5. Meihua and Kumquat Flowers
Meihua or plum blossom and Kumquat trees are symbols of new life, abundance, and prosperity. Usually Chinese people place them in the living room or near the entrance. If it is difficult to find the original version, you can buy artificial flowers or make your own DIY Project from pink tissue paper. Simply cut the paper into petals, arrange them, then stick them on dry twigs.
6. Curtains and Red Cloth
Finally, it would be nice to replace the curtains or add red cloth to the furniture. For example, the dining table is also an instant way to create a Chinese New Year atmosphere. If you don’t want to buy a new one, just add a red ribbon or a gold-accented tablecloth to the table to make the atmosphere more festive.
So, Chinese New Year decorations ideas are not just about visual beauty. More than that, this is a way to interpret tradition and welcome new hopes with a positive spirit. By choosing the right decoration items, we can create a warmer and more impressive celebration atmosphere. Gong Xi Fa Cai!