Want to get in the spirit for Chinese New Year (also called Lunar New Year)? This guide has the BEST ideas for your Chinese New Year Decorations, plus links to make buying them EASY!
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First off, I want to clarify: I have lived in China for 5 years now, but I am NOT Chinese! 🙂 My name is Nat, and I’m an expat of 5 years originally from America, currently living in Beijing!
This guide comes from my years of celebrating Chinese New Year in China with my friends here.
Anyways, I’m SO excited to share some of the most classic Chinese New Year decorations with you! So let’s jump right in!
Chinese New Year Decorations: The Basics
The most important aspect of Chinese New Year decorations is: *drumroll*
The color RED!
Tip #1: Look for Anything RED!
Red is not only a color thought to represent luck and overall happiness in Chinese culture. It’s also a color which is believed to scare away misfortune!
So when all else fails, just make sure you decorate with a LOT of red (and also some gold!), and your place will be looking festive already!
You simply CAN’T have decorations for Chinese New Year without involving red!
If you’re looking for a quick, easy toss-up set, check out this 2024 Chinese New Year decoration set!
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Tip #2: Use Pictures of the New Year’s Zodiac Animal
In China, every Lunar year is represented with an animal. There are 12 animals in total, which are cycled through in order. They are: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.
Each year, supermarkets in China will have TONS of paper cutouts, posters, and even stuffed animals of the New Year’s zodiac animal.
(Below is a photo of a cake I bought in Beijing for 2022’s Chinese New Year, which was the Year of the Tiger. Isn’t it cute?)
The animals definitely don’t have to be in traditional style. In fact, most people in China seem to prefer cuter looking zodiac mascots these days! (Personally, I love the cute-style Chinese New Year decorations! 😂)
2024: The Zodiac Animal is the Dragon!
2024 will be the Year of the Dragon!! So in addition to your red and gold decor, get some cool looking dragon decorations to put on windows or hang on doors.
This particular dragon hanging is in the paper-cutting style that is traditional to China, so it’s especially cool!
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If you’re hosting a party, using dragon themed table items, like this table runner, will add a perfect streak of red to your table, island, or drinks station.
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Now obviously, if you’re not reading this in 2024, then you may be looking at a different zodiac animal. So check online to see which animal’s year it is before you start your shopping!
Tip #3: Hang Lanterns and Paper Cuttings
Lanterns are probably the MOST well recognized of all the Chinese New Year Decorations!
One big element of Chinese New Year is LIGHT. A long time ago, fireworks and bright lights were used to scare the evil spirits and dragons away. Fireworks (as well as the color red) were thought to scare off the evil spirits.
To add brightness to your home, hang these traditional-style lanterns outside or inside your home!
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These mini lanterns are also SUPER cute (and they can look really cool, too!). While the ones at this link don’t light up, they will still look totally festive hanging outside in trees or around the home.
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And if the silk-style lanterns aren’t your thing, luckily these beautiful paper-cutting style lanterns can also add a bold and sophisticated touch to your Chinese New Year Decorations!
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Tip #4: Put Good-Luck Calligraphy Around Your Door
When putting up decorations for Chinese New year, putting red around the door is thought to protect the entrance of the home.
However, to make red decorations extra meaningful, people will write wishes for the new year and words pertaining to luck on these banners.
If you’re lucky enough (and I am!!!!) you may have a Chinese friend who’s willing to make some for you!
However, if you don’t have a calligraphy-inclined friend in your life at the moment, it’s still possible to buy some doorway decor for your home!
These doorway banners are exactly like the ones you’d find in China: big, red, and beautiful!
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If you’re decorating your classroom for Chinese New Year, this super cute, more kid-friendly version would also be found very commonly in China. It’s still very authentic, even if it’s less “traditional”.
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For a bilingual version, this lovely Chinese/English doorway banner will totally have your home, classroom, or office looking authentically decked out for Chinese New Year!
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I have to say…of all the Chinese New Year Decorations, I think the door banners are my favorite. They’re the equivalent of a bright, ornament-studded Christmas wreath in December. They’re cheery and oh so welcoming!
Tip #5: Give RED (or gold!) As A Gift!
At Chinese New Year, it’s common to give money as a gift, to celebrate abundance and wishes for wealth in the new year. That money is ALWAYS presented in these bright red envelopes, called “hongbao”!
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If you’re planning to give away some money, or even just notes or candies to students or colleagues, putting them in a “hongbao” will make you look like a Chinese New Year Pro!
If you would rather give tangible gifts, then these “lucky” charms can double as decor AND gifts!
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Lastly, these little (fake gold) “yuanbao” are what dumplings are shaped after!! In ancient times, gold was put in molds to look like these little “gold bundles”.
Nowadays, this “bundle” shape has been retained through dumpling making, and through decorations which are sometimes given as little gifts to children.
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Summary
If you were hoping to make your home look decked out (and authentically so) for Chinese New Year, then you came to the right place!
Everything I shared in this post will have your home looking similar to (and in some cases, identical to!) what you would find in China during Chinese New Year!
I hope that putting up your Chinese New Year decorations will get you in the festive, joyful spirit of the Lunar New Year! Have any more decorating ideas? I’d love to hear them in the comments!
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