2012 is the Year of Dragon
Dragon Years are the luckiest
years in the Chinese zodiac.
During my years in the classroom, I always looked forward to teaching a unit on this fascinating 15 day celebration that is filled with special ceremonies and traditions. When I received this 2012 Year of the Dragon calendar from Wells Fargo Bank, I decided to use it as a spring board for a thrifty Year of the Dragon tablescape.
For many cultures, the Lunar New Year is a
special time to celebrate
with family, friends, and good food.
In the spirit of a "thrifty tablescape" the centerpiece makes use of flowers that a friend sent me last week for my birthday and a silver bowl filled with mandarin oranges. Mandarin oranges are a favorite fruit to give as gifts during the Chinese New Year.
Full moons and round symbols are also lucky,
so I added a round fan to my centerpiece.
Each month of the Wells Fargo Calendar
features an incredible dragon.
I cut out each month's illustration
and selected a few to use as placemats.
I simply placed a page
over a woven red placemat.
Then topped the pages with clear
glass plates that I already had.
I placed the square plates on
an angle to highlight the images.
The plates were made in Italy and were a
purchase from World Market several years ago.
Chopsticks that were passed down from
my mother-in-law were added to each setting.
I like the words of wisdom
that are included for each month.
Cut crystal stems add a
bit of sparkle and elegance.
Lacquered chops
for the men at the table .
Inlaid mother of pearl
chopsticks for the ladies.
Party favors
add to the fun.
A Sheet of Commemorative
US Postage Stamps for Each Guest
A Fancy
Paper Dragon
Gold covered
chocolate coins . . .
Spill out of a special money envelope
that was also provided by Wells Fargo.
~ To end the meal ~
Chocolate Covered Fortune Cookies
Many of you commented on this dragon
teapot that I featured in my post on Monday.
I happened to see it at an antique
store last weekend in Uvalde, Texas.
The shop owner kindly allowed me
to set up a little vignette and take a photo.
Just across the square from the antiques
shop is where I spied the flying dragon.
The Grand Opera House was built in 1891
and is the oldest functioning theater in Texas.
2012 is the
Year of the Water Dragon,
said to be lucky for anything new
~ babies to business ~
In the order of things, the elements ~ water, earth, fire, metal, wood ~ rotate every 5 years, and the animals rotate every 12 years. 1952 was the last time the dragon was aligned with water, and there was a boom in the world economy that year.
Thank you for joining me to celebrate
The Year of the Dragon
with a thrifty tablescape.
All the elements of this table were gathered
from around the house or from my Chinese New Year stash.
Year of the Rabbit ~ 2011 can be seen here.
Year of the Tiger ~ 2010 can be seen here.
Joining
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