Lucky Tree Centerpiece for Chinese New Year Celebration

This shop, featuring a Lucky Tree Centerpiece and Chinese New Year Celebration ideas,  has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NewYearFortune #CollectiveBias

There are many things I could list about working in education. One of my favorite events was at the last school I taught at – a cultural bazaar. Students were given the opportunity to present information, traditions and foods from their own or a chosen culture or heritage. The students, families and community loved it. I always thought it was a great way to expose children to authentic traditions, foods and celebrations of various cultures.

However, you don’t have to wait for an event to teach your children about different cultures. You can do it by celebrating traditions outside of your own culture right at home. With foods, crafts and easy celebrations. Your kids will take away memories and a lesson about another culture, all while having fun.

With the Chinese New Year coming up, I created a simple, easy and fun celebration for the Chinese New Year – The Year of the Sheep. I chose to create a Lucky Tree Centerpiece, DIY Red “Envelopes,”  paper lanterns and served Tai Pei® appetizers.

The Chinese New Year celebrates the wish of “good fortune” for all in the coming year ahead. I decided to create a Lucky Tree Centerpiece to help convey the notion.

What You’ll Need:

Large Hurricane or Vase

Several Branches/Sticks from Outside.  (I gently rinsed mine and allowed to dry overnight). 

Tangerines as a filler to help hold sticks in place. 

Red Envelopes or Red Treat Bags

Gold Ribbon

Gold Marker

First, start by collecting branches of similar size. Wash, rinse an allow to dry overnight.  My husband doesn’t even blink anymore when he sees me collecting branches outside and then washing them…in the deep freeze of the winter.

To make the envelopes, I chose to use red treat bags I already had. It was so inexpensive and easy to do.  I traced a Chinese symbol for the Year of the Sheep and used a gold marker to fill it in.

You can decide what to put in your envelope – it can be anything really, but traditionally money or coins are put into the enevelopes. To finish off the bag, fold the bag over, and glue it shut. I then punched a hole, threading gold ribbon through and tied.

This will be how you hang your envelope from the centerpiece.

To assemble, place oranges at the bottom of the vase or hurricane and arrange the sticks/branches. You can trim the branches as needed for a desired size/shape.

Paper lanterns, which are easy to make with red construction paper, and tangerines in a jar help create a festive look for your table – along with traditional appetizers.

I chose Tai Pei® appetizers, which I found in the frozen food section at Walmart, because they are authentic and easy to prepare! Chicken Egg Rolls and Mini Vegetable Rolls were  a great choice that everyone would love.

The products are loaded with traditional style and flavor – chicken, pork or shrimp. What I loved best is how crispy these come out – and they’re ready within minutes. The taste goes past the delicious wrappers to fresh, flavorful vegetables and chicken, pork or shrimp.

And with a delicious dipping sauce included with the appetizers, it’s ready to serve.  With these appetizers, you’ll be able to see why Tai Pei® truly is Good Fortune in Every Box™

Now that I’ve shown you how I shared the Chinese New Year with my kids, are there any traditions, holidays or celebrations that you have shared with your children? How do you go about it? I’d love to hear thoughts and ideas in the comments below.

Get Connected with Tai Pei®

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest 

Be sure to visit the Chinese New Year tab on the Tai Pei® Facebook page for a Red Envelope offer – a coupon! These are available while supplies last.

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