This year, the start of Chinese New Year falls on Feb. 7, and the celebratory festivities last for 15 whole days! To kick off the fun, I'm putting together a Chinese-themed dinner party. Gather together a group of friends and throw your own version of this party. All week I'll provide you with tips and ideas for a fabulous Chinese New Year. Before the event can begin, we have to send invitations. To see how I made these sparkling invites that can be modified to suit any lunar New year celebration, read more.

To make a similar invitation you will need the following supplies:

• sparkling paper
• cardstock
• decorative paper
• scissors
• glue
• tape
• single hole punch
• ribbon
• computer and printer
• image of a rat

To assemble the invite:

1. Start by creating a new document in Microsoft Word. Drag the image of the rat into the document. Write out the details of the party. On mine I used the font Herculanum in size 14 to write:
   

   Please join me in celebrating
   the Chinese New Year

   Saturday, February 9
   Dinner 7:30 pm
   Fireworks to follow

   PartySugar’s House
   San Francisco
   Please RSVP 415.513.9815

   Print out on a plain piece of paper and check for grammar and spelling mistakes. Once satisfied with the look of the text, print out on the cardstock. Cut down to size.



2. With a glue stick, glue the decorative paper to the back side of the invite. Cut down to size and set aside to dry.



3. Fold the other piece of cardstock in half widthwise and cut along the line.



4. Fold one of the cardstock halves in half so you end up with a quarter of the cardstock. Close up both the bottom and side of the folded cardstock with tape. What you want to create is an envelope.



5. Glue the sparkling paper to the outside of the envelope, set aside to dry.



6. Punch a hole in the center top of the text portion of the invite. Pull the ribbon through and tie a knot as you would with a bookmark.



7. Slide the text portion of the invite into the sparkling red envelope. Place in another envelope, address with your best handwriting, and send.