The Year of the Dog begins on February 16, 2018. People who are born in the year of the Dog are believed to be sincere, loyal, and decisive.

To embrace the spirit of this year, check out some Chinese New Year decorations and gifts. They are a mix of things you can buy and some simple DIY projects. Each one will certainly bring enjoyment and good memories to all your family members.

1. Printed CNY Cushion (Edit: Sold Out!)

What better way to greet the Year of the Dog than to have this cushion—or several of it—around your house? Its vibrant colours and awesome graphic are undeniably eye-catching. It will surely liven up your home. Price: $2.90

2. Chinese New Year Chopstick Frame Craft

Photo courtesy of OTC Direct Inc.

Go for this one if you want an easy Chinese decoration to make with your kids.

Materials:

• Paper
• Water Colour Pens
• Scissors
• Disposable Chopsticks
• Glue
• Red ribbon

Instructions: Take a piece of white paper, write the Chinese character for dog and then colour it with a red or gold marker. Alternatively, you can draw a picture of a dog and colour it.

After that, cut the paper into a square shape and glue chopsticks on all four sides. You can also draw two small pictures of dogs, cut them out and glue them onto opposite corners of the frame. This picture uses different center art but gives you a good idea of what your finished craft will look like. If you want to hang it up, be sure to tie some red ribbons to the top part of the chopstick frame.

3. Ultra-soft Dog Plush (Edit: Sold Out!)

Isn’t this rotund and cheerful plush dog the very picture prosperity and happiness? Moreover, it’s 70cm of cuteness! It’s a sweet giveaway for friends and loved ones to welcome Chinese New Year. Price: $15.90

4. Dog Walker With Music (Edit: Sold Out!)

If you have a pet dog, make this year all about him or her. After all, it is literally the Year of the Dog. Make your pooch feel special with this dog walker that’s equipped with music that soothes canines as they venture out into the hustle and bustle outside. Price: $12.90

5. Simple Chinese New Year Firecracker Wall Hanging

Photo courtesy of Wander With Alice

If you want a DIY craft that’s a little bit more challenging to make on your own or with your older kids, pick this one.

Materials:

• Toilet paper rolls (without toilet paper)
• Red coloured paper
• Gold coloured paper
• Watercolour pens
• Glue
• Scissors
• Red ribbons
• Tape

Instructions: Cover 10 empty toilet paper rolls with gold coloured paper. Next, cut rectangular strips of red coloured paper and glue them over the gold coloured paper, allowing it to stick out from the top and bottom. Cut a circle from the red coloured paper and write the character for dog in the middle using a black watercolour pen. You can also write “Happy Year of the Dog” on the toilet paper rolls if you want.

Put the ribbon through each toilet paper roll as shown in the image and then tape the red circle on the top. Allow some ribbons to stick out from the top if you want to hang your decoration on the wall.

6. Chinese New Year Dog Candle

Photo courtesy of First Palette

This DIY Chinese New Year decoration can be easily adapted to give it a dog theme.

Materials:

• Glass jar
• Red tissue
• White glue
• Paintbrush
• Black acrylic paint
• Candle

Instructions: Empty the jar. Mix an equal amount of white glue and water together, tear the red tissue paper into strips and dip the paper strips into your glue and water mixture. When you are done, place the strips onto the glass jar, completely covering it. Don’t worry about tissue paper that sticks up above the top part of the jar; you will cut it later.

Wait for the paper to dry on the jar. When it is done, cut off the red paper sticking up above the top part of the jar and paint a black ring around the top. Write the character for dog on the jar with the paintbrush and allow the black paint to dry. Finally, place a candle inside the jar. Because the jar used in this activity is taller than the one in the picture, a taller candle is also used. Even so, the picture gives a good idea of what your project will look like when you are done.

7. Handmade Paper Fan

Photo courtesy of Evermine Occasions

These Chinese New Year craft decorations can also be easily adapted to give it a dog theme.

Materials:

• Paper with images or pictures of dogs
• Popsicle Sticks
• Super Glue
• Scissors
• Water Colour Pens

Instructions: You need a sheet of paper that is 36 inches long and 5 inches wide. Cut and glue two or three sheets of paper together to achieve the right length. Next, draw and colour an image of a dog on the paper. The more colourful it is, the better. To make things easier, you can look for wrapping paper that already has images of dogs on it.

When you are done, fold the paper accordion style. This means you will need to fold the paper forward, turn the paper over and then fold it forward again. Do this until the entire paper is folded. When finished, glue each end of the paper on a Popsicle stick. Allow it to dry before showing it to others or putting it on display.

8. Fingerprint Kumquat Art

Photo courtesy of Let’s Go Fly a Kite

This is a Chinese New Year wall picture your kids are sure to enjoy making.

Materials:

• White paper
• Watercolour pens
• Red paint
• Red or gold coloured paper
• Scissors
• Glue

Instructions: Take the red or gold coloured paper, cut a rectangle from it and then draw a dog using a black watercolour pen. Glue the rectangle onto the bottom center of the white paper. Next, draw branches of various sizes and shapes with the brown red coloured pen.

Place some red coloured paint on a plate, dip your finger (or your child’s finger) in the paint and place the finger carefully on or near various branches. Allow the paper to dry before putting it on display. If you want, you can make a frame using brown coloured paper or disposable chopsticks. If you use chopsticks, you will probably need to cut the paper into a rectangular shape so that it does not stick out from the ends.

9. Circular Chinese Lantern

Photo courtesy of Homemade Gifts Made Easy

If you want to make really amazing Chinese New Year craft decorations, then this is for you. It is harder to make than the Chinese lantern mentioned above but the extra effort is certainly worth it.

Materials:

• White paper
• Gold or Red coloured paper
• Fine permanent marker
• Red string
• Needle
• Scissors

Instructions: Print this Chinese ball lantern template on white paper. Cut it out and then use this cutting as a stencil to trace the lantern shape onto red or gold coloured paper. When you are done, draw one or more dog images (or write the dog character) using fine permanent markers. The next part is a bit complex. You need to thread some red string through the needle and then run the needle through the small bottom circles on the lantern template. After you run the string through each bottom circle, do the same with the top ones. Finally, tie a knot at the top when you are done. If you want to hang your lantern from a roof, be sure to add another piece of string onto the top part of the lantern by tying it onto the knot you have just made. If you are making more than one of these lanterns, you can tie all of them onto a piece of string and then attach both ends of this string to nails on opposite sides of a wall.

10. Circular Chinese Dog Lantern for Children

Photo courtesy of Paper Lantern Store

Children will need help with this project but it is one of the best Chinese New year DIY decoration ideas you will find.

Materials:

• White paper
• Watercolour pens
• Red string
• Needle
• Scissors

Instructions: Print this Chinese ball lantern template on white paper and cut it out. Next, thread some red string through the needle and then run the needle through the small bottom circles on the lantern template. After you run the string through each bottom circle, do the same with the top ones. Finally, tie a knot at the top when you are done.

When you are done making the lantern, draw some dog body parts on a sheet of white paper. These include eyes, the beak, the wattle and the crest. You can also draw the tail if you like. Colour these parts in, cut them out and carefully glue them onto your lantern. Allow the glue to dry before you hang your lantern up. Here is an idea of what your lantern may look like although you can be creative and make it look a little different if you want.

Chinese New Year DIY decorations may take time and effort but it is time well spent. Your decorations may not look like those in the stores but they will be unique because no decorations will be exactly like yours. Here are some tips that can help make your craft time easy:

• Make sure you have all the materials together before you start
• Read the instructions carefully and look at the picture to envision what your finished craft should look like
• If you don’t have some materials, consider substituting them. For example, red crepe paper can be used instead of red tissue paper or you can use a knife to poke holes instead of a hole puncher or scissors.

No matter which activity you choose, have fun! Then again, if you decide to just sit back and enjoy the festivities, there are a lot of cute dog-themed items that you can easily buy. While you’re at it, you could also check out many other CNY-themed products on sale.