Peacock Feathers

Chinese Birthday Bash

A Chinese theme is such a fun and festive way to decorate a birthday party. It works for an adults and for kids, and it can be done on the cheap so very effectively. Last year I was asked to plan and decorate a friend's seven-year-old daughter's birthday (held at the fantastic Fairmount Art Center) and it was a blast to do from start to finish. Philadelphia's Chinatown businesses were a great resource, with everything from newspapers to party favors to fortune cookies. Additionally, there are many great resources for these items online, including Pearl River Mart and Oriental Trading.

A long dining table was created for the little guests using low art tables and was surrounded

with perfectly sized (and colored) red chairs.

Chinese Zodiac paper placemats were easily found online, along with
colorful, painted chopsticks. The red plastic cutlery was wrapped in a fiery orange
napkin and tied with a gold ribbon. Centerpieces included glass cubes filled with
fortune cookies, hot pink glass votives, and Chinese tea tins filled with simple flowers.


Tea tins make adorable containers for flowers, and can be purchased
for only a couple dollars at any Chinese market. The pink carnations and
lavender daisies - affordable and playful - complete the look.

Paper lanterns tied with satin ribbon dangle overhead.


The buffet was covered in Chinese newspaper print and red cloth.
A cake plate holds more chopsticks. Chicken with Broccoli and
Sweet and Sour Chicken were delivered from a local restaurant.


The cake table is covered in chartreuse satin and accented with beautiful Chinese parasols.
The cake came from the local bakery and the little umbrellas were added later.


As the little guests depart, festive favors await on the wall.
Parasols (for the girls) and masks (for the boys) have name tags
made of layered card stock which were fastened with a shiny ribbon.

The handmade invitation was fashioned by layering red cardstock

with a square of Chinese newsprint and a leaf of orange vellum.
I finished it off with a lucky cat charm and a bright satin bow.