5 of the Cutest and Easiest Crafts for Lunar New Year

Ayn-Monique Klahre
Ayn-Monique Klahre
Ayn-Monique is a lifestyle editor and writer who's worked for Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, FamilyFun and more. She loves lattes, jogging and hanging out at the playground with her husband and daughters.
updated Jun 9, 2019
pinterest
comments
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Post Image
(Image credit: The Kitchn)

For those who don’t know: Lunar New Year, also known as Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, is a 15-day celebration that kicks off this year on the night of Friday, February 16. On the eve of Spring Festival, friends and family gather to enjoy a sumptuous reunion dinner and stay up late to watch the fireworks (an ancient practice designed to scare away the legendary beasts of the previous year).

Whether you’re hosting this year, heading to someone else’s home to celebrate, or just want to partake in the festivities, consider incorporating one of these easy crafts into the evening.

(Image credit: Handmade Charlotte)

1. Paper Lanterns

Paper lanterns are a staple of the Spring Festival, with red and gold as the colors of choice to bring luck and prosperity. These, from Handmade Charlotte, were made with bright paper and stencils, proving that nearly anything goes.

Get the directions: How to Make Chinese Paper Lanterns in 4 Easy Steps at Handmade Charlotte

(Image credit: I Heart Crafty Things)

2. Egg Carton Dragon

If you’re celebrating with kids, get them working on making their own mini dragons with this project from I Heart Crafty Things that uses upcycled egg cartons as a base. Encourage them to be creative with pipe cleaners, tissue paper, and sequin accents.

Read more: How to Make an Egg Carton Dragon Craft at I Heart Crafty Things

(Image credit: Stephanie Russo)

3. Teacup Flower Vases

Our own Christine Gallary shared her Lunar New Year table decor with us: “Since the meal is eaten family-style, there really isn’t much room left on the table for decorations or a centerpiece,” she says. “My talented childhood friend and florist Heather Lee came up with the cute idea of filling little white tea cups with flowers, choosing bright orange, yellow, and pink as the color scheme.” They stayed away from white, which is known as a bad luck color, and scattered the arrangements around the table.

Read more: How I’m Creating My Own Lunar New Year Traditions with My Family

(Image credit: Pink Stripey Socks)

4. Paper Blossom Centerpiece

It may be too early for anything to be blooming in your area, but this craft from Pink Stripey Socks solves that: Create your own cherry blossoms using bare branches and tissue paper.

Get the steps: Paper Blossoms for Chinese New Year at Pink Stripey Socks

(Image credit: 1 Dog Woof)

5. Chocolate Coin-Filled Envelopes

Part of the tradition is giving ang pao, red envelopes filled with money. This folded-paper take from 1 Dog Woof is easy to pull off and features chocolate coins — a sweet treat for family and friends.

Read more: DIY Red Envelopes for Chinese New Year at 1 Dog Woof

Filed in:
children
Lunar New Year