5 Fun DIY Chinese New Year Decoration Ideas To Try With Loved Ones

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If you're looking for simple and affordable ways to decorate, these DIY ideas using common items like ang pau packets are a great way to start. 

Materials:
- Candle wax flakes/chips (white, red, or pink)
- Saucepan
- Tongs or spoon
- Newspaper/paper towels (for spills)
- Iced water
- Craft wire/branches

Instructions:
STEP 1: Prepare your workspace by lining it with newspaper or paper towels
STEP 2: Form the tree's structure using craft wire or branches
STEP 3: Place candle wax flakes/chips into a bowl, and gently melt over a water bath in a saucepan
STEP 4: Dip three fingers into a bowl of iced water, then into the melted wax briefly, before allowing to solidify. Alternatively, you can use a spoon to spread wax on a cool surface, shaping it into petals as it solidifies
STEP 5: Gently peel off the wax flower petals and place them on branches before they fully dry. Repeat until you have a full cherry blossom tree

Pro tip: You can use red or pink wax for a more festive look.

Materials:
- 10 to 12 ang pau packets
- Stapler

Instructions:
STEP 1: Start by folding each packet slightly in the middle, then diagonally along the centre fold.
STEP 2: Staple the folded packets together to form a circle. Ensure they overlap slightly for a neat, cohesive look.
STEP 3: Adjust the arrangement and secure the edges with additional staples, completing your floral design.

Materials:
- Ang pau packets
- Double-sided tape or glue
- Scissors
- Tassel (optional)

Instructions:
STEP 1: Start by taking one ang pow packet and folding it in half lengthwise.
STEP 2: With the ang pow packet still folded, make evenly spaced vertical cuts along the fold from the folded edge — leave about 1-2cm at the top and bottom uncut so the strips stay connected.
STEP 3: Unfold the ang pow packet, and gently curl it into a cylinder. Staple, glue, or tape the two ends to secure them together.
STEP 4: Attach a tassel at the bottom of the lantern for added decoration if desired.

Materials:
- Red coloured papers
- Tape

Instructions:
STEP 1: Fold a sheet of paper back and forth in accordion style
STEP 2: Fold it in half and glue or tape both end folds together. This makes a fan shape.
STEP 3: Join a few of these fan shapes to make a full round fan.
STEP 4: Play with different sizes and arrange them around your mirror however you like. For an extra cute touch, print out CNY-themed stickers (like cute snakes) and paste them onto the round fans.

Materials:
- Colour papers
- Scissors
- Glue or stapler
- Googly eyes

Instructions:
STEP 1: Cut the paper into strips, about 1 inch wide and 6-8 inches long. You'll need an equal number of strips in two different colours.
STEP 2: Take one strip and form it into a loop, securing the ends with glue or a stapler.
STEP 3: Then, take a strip in the other colour and loop it through the first loop, securing the ends to form another loop. Continue alternating colours and linking the loops until your snake reaches the desired length.
STEP 4: For the snake's head, cut a slightly larger circle from a different coloured paper.
STEP 5: Fold it in half and then in half again to create a cone shape. Secure the overlapping edges with glue.
STEP 6: Attach the head to the chain strip, then glue googly eyes onto the head.
STEP 7: Finally, cut a thin, forked tongue shape from paper and glue it inside the snake's mouth.