Make every family dinner an event! Making dinner as a family can become a fun activity for all to get involved.

Chinese Lantern Festival

The last day of the Chinese New Year celebration is the Lantern Festival. In Chinese, it is called the Yuan Xiao Festival and it's celebrated at night with children carrying brightly colored lanterns in a parade.

If you'd like to make your own paper lantern, you will need:
• Colored paper or thin cardstock (wrapping paper also works well)
• Scissors, glue/scotch tape or a stapler
• A ruler

Now, follow these easy steps and see how creative and unique you can be!

1. Fold the paper lengthwise and make a sharp crease in the folded edge with your fingertips.
    
2. Use scissors to cut into the folded edge of the card, stopping half an inch away from the opposite edge.
    
3. Make another cut in the same way half an inch away from the first one, and repeat until you've made cuts all the way along the card, stopping about half an inch from the end.
    
4. Now, unfold the card and roll it around so the two short edges are together and you can see how your lantern will take shape.
    
5. If you're using glue, put glue down on one of the short sides of the card - making sure the card is 'right' side up.
    
6. Press the two short sides together firmly so the glue sticks - or if you're using tape or staples – hold the sides together and fasten them in place. If you're using glue to hold your lantern together, you might want to hold it in place with paper clips while the glue dries.
    
7. To give your lantern a handle, cut a strip of card or paper about half an inch wide. The handle needs to be long enough to curve over from one side of the top of your lantern to the other.
    
8. Lastly, place the handle across the inside of the top of the lantern and attach it. Now decorate festively and get your friends together so you can have your own Lantern Festival Parade!
    

For additional pictures, click here

Chinese New Year

Year of the ...	Next Occurance
Ox	January 26, 2009
Tiger	February 14, 2010
Rabbit	February 3, 2011
Dragon	January 23, 2012
Snake	February 10, 2013
Horse	January 31, 2014
Sheep	February 19, 2015
Monkey	February 8, 2016
Rooster	January 28, 2017
Dog	February 16, 2018
Pig	February 5, 2019
Rat	January 25, 2020

The Ox is just one of twelve important animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac and calendar. These creatures and their significance, along with many other important rituals and symbols, are the cornerstones of traditional Chinese culture.

The personality traits of the Ox are patient, determined and easy going. They succeed at their own merits. Hard working, logical and tenacious, the Ox can be trusted to get the job done, and by nature, the Ox is methodical, sticking to routines and tradition. The rigidity and militant style of the Ox often results in an unapproachable and intimidating personality.

Famous People born in the Year of the Ox:
Eddie Murphy, Walt Disney, George Clooney, Richard Nixon, Dennis Rodman, Vincent Van Gogh, Tori Spelling, Will Smith, Robert Redford, Jim Carrey, Don Johnson.

Popular New Year Decorations

Prior to New Year's Day, Chinese families decorate their living rooms with vases of flower blossoms, platters of oranges and tangerines and a candy tray with eight varieties of dried sweet fruit. It is also typical to see poetic writings on walls and doors with happy wishes written on red paper. For instance, "May you enjoy continuous good health" is an especially popular blessings.

Fun Using Chopsticks

Do you know the proper way to eat using chopsticks? First, pick up the chopstick with the middle finger and thumb. Second, grip the second chopstick with your index finger. Third, hold it steady. The chopstick should not move while you’re picking up food. Lastly, practice opening and closing the chopstick. Practice makes perfect – now you can enjoy your favorite Asian dish the traditional way.

Host a Chinese Tea Party

Dinner doesn’t have to end after dessert. Get the whole family involved in a Chinese tea ceremony. In Chinese and Japanese cultures, the tea ceremony is a way to focus mental energies, relax and enjoy an ancient tradition. Click here to learn how to conduct a tea ceremony in your home!

Learn Origami and Have Fun!

Origami is the ancient Japanese art of paper folding. The word origami literally means to fold (“Oru”) paper (“Kami”). However, because paper was such a scarce and valuable resource in Japan during the 6th century, origami was limited only to the wealthy nobility. But now, it's not only mainstream, but a great, creative way to pass the time.

Here's a fun mealtime table decoration to get you started. Amaze your family when you serve a special Asian meal - from décor to dessert. And, when you do, tell us about it.

Fox Origami

Start with a perfectly square sheet of paper. Paper made specifically for origami can be found at most craft stores. It is usually colored only on one side.

1. Fold your paper in half
2. Fold in the dotted line
3. Turn over
4. Fold in the dotted line
5. Draw or decorate eyes and nose.

Now you're finished!

Make your own bento box

Bento is a single-serving Japanese meal traditionally consisting of fish, rice and meat, typically accompanied by a pickled vegetable. This meal is often contained within a lacquer or wooden box called a bento box. Use the step-by-step directions to make your own bento box for a delicious and healthy daytime meal you can take anywhere. Click here to learn how.

Tips for making dinner special for everyone

Set aside one night a week when all family members are present.

• Spend time brainstorming the menu. Make sure everyone adds input.
• Invite the whole family to come to dinner dressed in Asian style.
• Set the table with Asian decorations such as leis, and use bowls of water with floating flowers as centerpieces.
• Create lively dinner discussions by asking open-ended questions. Topics ranging from school and work to Asian trivia can be discussed.
• Cleanup is part of the meal! Get the whole family involved and excited by turning on some Asian background music.

Keep the theme going

Just because dinner is over doesn’t mean that family fun time has to end. Some ways to keep the night going include:

• Rent an Asian-themed movie and settle in with a great dessert (Go Bananas with our Toffee Banana dessert).
• Dream together about taking a trip to Asia. How many landmarks and sites can you name that you’d like to visit or take a fantasy vacation?
• Sip an evening pineapple smoothie from hollowed out pineapples or coconuts.
• Begin planning your next family night in! Why not plan on making every Friday an “It’s Asian Tonight” night? Switch your routine pizza for Kahiki restaurant quality Asian cuisine ... And a party’s always waiting for you!