Slur having a party! Chinese New Year so do you have an opinion?

[S1ur]

Right in the vein of hijacking another festival, I've settled on Chinese New Yaer.

So far, I've found a dragon puppet template for kids to make and a chinese menu from local take-away.

Drums fingers now what else....

When is it?

Tis on 7th Feb but SLur's house will be rockin' on Saturday.

Not really rockin' in the past days drug-addled-pile-on-studenty-house party sense.

In fact, modest, children friendly get together with a couple of friends and excuse to have take-out

Right. been thinking.

Red envelopes with gold coins in.
Paper lanterns.
Loud musical noisy procession to piss off neighbours.

Now what shall we drink?

Well I was thinking Saki but I think that's japanese. Tsing Tao is a chinese beer I think you can in supermarkets.

Lychee juice?

Have you got one of those good Chinese supermarkets nearby?

Yep, chinese supermarket places. many many. But would like to wander in with a plan so don't appear an utter muppet.

Do you know your chinese food?

One of friends suggested getting a job lot of take out in, but what staples should there be?

20 or so people inc kids.

I know my chinese takeaway as well as the next person and would relish the chance to wander round Wing Yips buying for a party, but have no expertise!

do you have a Chinese/Asian supermarket near you?
you must, surely?
go, be inspired
Chinese music
fortune cookies
those little fish that curl up
chopsticks
garlands
indoor fireworks
Tiger beer or Kingfisher?

Well me lovely, I know even less than you, so shall embarrass myself first.

Noodles, they are good. egg rolls? spring rolls? fried rice?

Oh bollocks. I know jack-jackity jack.

Sigh, where's the take-away aficionados?

well I had dim sum tonight and they were luuurvely
does that help?

Hello there Harpsi and many thanks.

Yes got one, got several. Am planning to go at weekend.

Little bit scared of fireworks...

But the rest great!

Yes foutune cookies are a must, and of course chopsticks.

Oooh and I should print out a zodiac chart so people can see their own animal.

Could you ask the takeaway just to do a set meal for 20 and see what they come up with? presumably they'd want a bit of notice for that and they'll do something nice for you. Ask for a mix of starters, main courses (some veggie), with noodles and egg fried rice, and i think everyone would be very happy with that. I know I would! (the one we had this evening was goooooorgeous)

ta sleepy cat, dim sum are yummy, yes siree, we'll have some of that then!

Good plan Harpsi. WIll go chat tomorrow.

Course I could cook, but it wouldn't be nearly as nice and would partly defeat point of party I feel.

you need a steamboat to cook the lucky pot.

It's a bit like a big fondue.
You make broth with spices. pour in the steamboat and prepare a big plate of various ingredients to cook in the pot.
(can find the list if you are interested.)
and various dips.

The delicacies prepared for new year are very exotic and intricate. but you'll be safe with a variety of snack type foods as mentioned.

Last but not least, essential actually: a big bowl of tangerines individually wrapped in red paper & bowls of various nuts and seeds.

Wear red and Gold clothes.

Make a little kitsh shrine with candles, incense sticks (plucked in an orange) and a bowl of fruit offerings and chocolate gold coins.

Can you get a kumquat tree to put outside your door? They're very traditional, especially with red envelopes tucked into the leaves.

Baijiao is like sake and will have all your adult guests horizontal within minutes.

Thanks SLimm22 loads of good thoughts there! and ninedragons (good name!) Will definately look into baijiao

Cheers all, off to Chinese supermarket today, will let you know how I get on

Do be careful with the baijiao - it is like being administered a general anaesthetic, so don't let anyone knock back five or six. A party's no fun if someone has to go and have their stomach pumped