celebrate: lunar new year planning and decor

Some years ago, I threw a girls' night of dumpling making, a hybrid celebration of Galentine's Day because we were all women and the Chinese New Year because we were filling the dumplings with pork and scallions and water chestnuts seasoned with soy sauce. That party activity was so much fun that I’d like to host something similar again. But this time, I’m going to host the feast in the condo clubhouse instead of my small dining table and expand the guest list. I still want to have the event centered around the making of a meal, but keep the party simple too. And instead of making dumplings, we'll be making or rather pulling noodles AND then a potluck of toppings for what we've made into a noodle bar. I've already made a guest list and texted invitations.                  

I even found an image that I could blow-up and paint with acrylic to simulate sumi ink for a party banner.    

I found Chinese calligraphy for the Year of the Snake and used the copier to print out the larger text and broke out the tempera and acrylic paint.      

I'm pleased with the outcome, and the banner is rolled and ready to hang for the day of the party. I've also ordered red napkins embossed in gold and scratch-off fortune telling cards from Oriental Trading Company. I plan on getting almond cookies and white rabbit candy from World Market and collecting disposable chopsticks during the month. I'll stop at the Diddams Party store and see what other red decorations or Chinese new year goods can be had.