Ideas for Celbrating The Chinese New Year 2013

When is Chinese New Year?

Chinese New Year begins according to the Chinese calendar which consists of both Gregorian and lunar calendar systems. Because the tracking of the new moon changes from year to year, the Chinese New Year can begin anytime between late January and mid-February Spring Festival, Lunar New Year or commonly referred to as just Chinese New Year will begin on Sunday 10th Feb 2013 with celebrations running for as long as 15 days until Sunday 24th Feb 2013. Chinese Lanterns

The fifteenth day of the Chinese New Year is celebrated as Yuanxiao Festival or the Lantern Festival. Candles are lit outside houses and families will walk the streets carrying lanterns. This day marks the end of the Chinese New Year festivities. Traditional Chinese lanterns are usually red in colour and oval shaped, however at the Lantern Festival you can expect to see an array of bright and bold colours, elaborate designs and patterns, characters, dragons, animal and all different shapes and sizes! Chinese Cuisine

Chinese Food can be found at all celebrations from rice to noodles and in a number of styles from Cantonese, Szechuan and even Mongolian cuisine! When celebrating the Chinese new year there will traditionally be a New Years Eve dinner that will be packed full with amazing foods and flavours including dishes of meat such as pork and chicken, and often include a hot pot to signify a family reuinion. Chinese Zodiac

There is a 12-year cycle of the animal zodiac which relates a different animal to each year. Chinse Year 2013 is the Year of the Snake.

Previous Years and their symbolic meanings... 1972,1984,1996,2008 Year of the Rat The RAT is the first sign of the zodiac. Typically people born under this sign will be a creative problem solver, imaginative a hyperactive worker respected for resourcefulness. Intuitive and with the ability to hold onto all things of value. 1973,1985,1997,2009 Year of the Ox The OX is said to be an inspiring person that is easy-going and will possess a parent-like nature. They also have a tendency to have a bad temper, be quick to anger and very stubborn. They are however good listeners, yet don’t like to ask for help themselves. Most comfortable around Roosters. 1974,1986,1998,2010 Year of the Tiger The TIGERs are contemplative, emotional and sensitive. Although they can have a short temper, quick tongue and may startle their inferiors. Widely respected for their courageousness, power is their natural gift. Compatible with Horses and Dragons. 1975,1987,1999,2011 Year of the Rabbit. The RABBIT is often a private individual, a little introverted and sometimes withdrawn. People born to this sign would rather work behind the scenes and try not to be the centre of attention. With that said the rabbit is a friendly individual and enjoys the company of good friends. 1976,1988,2000,2012 Year of the Dragon. The Dragon's personality tends to be that of a free spirit. Everything that dragon's do will be on a grand scale, they naturally express big ideas and offer ornate gestures. Dragons' generous personalities give them the ability to attract friends, but they can be rather solitary people at heart. Years to come... 1978,1990,20002,2014 Year of the Horse The HORSE is a popular person, cheerful and quick to compliment others. They are also hard working, bursting with energy an extrovert. Entertaining and humourous around all people born under this sign tend to be quick-witted and intelligent. 1979,1991,2003,2015 Year of the Goat The GOAT tends to be a great artists. They will ask many questions, they like nice things and will be very wise, they do tend to like a bit of peace and quiet and can be very calm, easygoing and relaxed. 1980,1992,2004,2016 Year of the Monkey MONKEYs tend to be very funny and can run circles around other people. Both curios and clever, they will catch on quickly and are able to accomplish most tasks. They appreciate difficult or challenging to stimulate and make them think. 1981,1993,2005,2017 Year of the Rooster The ROOSTER can be flamboyant, feisty and obstinate in personality. Also an extrovert, proud of who they are and outwardly confident, the rooster is also trustworthy and hardworking. 1982,1994,2006, 2018 Year of the Dog The DOG has a giving, compassionate and supportive personality. Is a good listener, always available to a friend in need and are incredible attentive. 1983,1995,2007,2019 Year of the Pig The PIG can be fun and enlightening, while having patience and understanding. People born under this sign will enjoy life, their family and friends. Honest and thoughtful, they belive it is better to give than receive. As well as the 12 year cycle of the animal zodiac, there is also a 5 year cycle of the chinese elements, each phase has a complex series of associations with different aspects of nature and the best way in which to remember the order that the phases take place are as follows...

1. Wood feeds Fire 2. Fire creates Earth (ash) 3. Earth bears Metal 4. Metal carries Water (as in a bucket) 5. Water nourishes Wood. For Chinese New Year celebrations in other countries there may be some additional ways that you can add to your celebration. This year in Melbourne Australia there are a number of places that you can enjoy the festival. With displays of the traditional Chinese Lion Dance, firecrackers, folk music, martial artists and much more... ... To blend Australian culture with the Chinese New Year why not create party favours and gift ideas to give to your guests and visitors. Coolaz Stubby Holders can be designed with chinese characters and symbols, colours and photographic images to not only brighten up your event and match in with the theme but also they are practical for this summer time celebration in the southern hemisphere as they will keep your drinks cold! Here are some of our latest designs ...

Happy New Year!

Ideas for a Garden Wedding 2012

With the wedding trends being set this year we delve into the enchanting set up of a garden wedding. This certainly is a route that will give a very personal touch and you can go for a small and intimate gathering or a grand ceremony.

Garden Wedding

Perhaps you have fond childhood memories of a local park, a recent attachment to the botanical garden that you first wandered around as an engaged couple or simply love your grannies flourishing backyard?!

Fitzroy Gardens Wedding

Wherever you choose for your garden wedding be sure to also set a relaxed theme with laid back music for the ceremony and carry your ideas through to your reception. Choose natural colours, perhaps wooden vases or dried cut citrus fruit for your centrepieces. You could also bring elements from your honeymoon – maybe you are jetting off to Singapore and would like to add orchids to your table decorations and bouquets.

Garden Wedding Orchid Centrepiece

Here are some garden wedding inspired design ideas to help you with your planning … please bear in mind that you can send through your own images of youre flowers/centrepieces, the place you are getting married or ask us about other images that we may have in our library to create the perfect match Coolaz drink holders for your wedding!

Pink Rose Garden Stubby Holder

Orange Lily Stubby Holder

Frangipani Garden Wedding Stubby Holders

Country Sunset Stubby Holder

For more wedding design ideas visit our website here.

Valentine's Day Design Inspiration.

So, it’s that time of the year again when cupid draws his bow...
Valentine’s Day is observed on 14^th February and is a day for honouring one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine. It is traditionally a day on which couples express their love for each other by presenting flowers or exchanging cards and gifts.

In more modern times it is becoming increasingly popular to propose to your ‘valentine’ on Feb 14^th and with 2012 being a leap year we may witness many role reversals with the man receiving the proposal rather than making it! This would generally happen on the leap day, 29^th Feb, however has more recently spilled over into Valentine’s Day too!

Modern Valentine’s Day symbols include love-heart shaped outlines and of course the figure of the winged angel cupid. Here are some of our Valentine’s Day inspired designs for your engagement party, wedding day or general announcement:

Valentine's Day Stubby Holder

Valentine's Day Stubby Holder

Valentine's Day Stubby Holder

Valentine's Day Stubby Holder

Engagement Party Ideas!

Engagement Party Ideas!

Anyone invited to your engagement party should ultimately be invited to your wedding, so the size of your celebration may be dependent upon your wedding numbers. Whether you have only a select few that you would like to celebrate with or if you fancy a full-on party … we have a few ideas that may help you on your way to the perfect engagement celebration!

Up, up and away ...
... Why not do something completely out of the ordinary and book yourself and your close family & friends onto a Balloon ride. Make sure you go for the champagne special for a real treat, take along a picnic and a few extra drinks too … here's a little inspiration and an ideal memento of a truly unique engagement celebration!

Engagement Balloon Stubby Holder

 Top up anyone? …
... Gather your closest group of friends and book onto a wine tour! There are so many fantastic wineries in Australia that you will be spoilt for choice. I am sure that there will be a spot nearby for a day trip or you could even go interstate for a weekend away! Whichever you choose, make sure that you tag on a couple of breweries too and grab your Coolaz Beer Coolers to match!

Wine Tour Stubby Holders

Shake things up…
… With a wild cocktail party, this would work for both a small group and your homemade concoctions or if you fancied something bigger at a swanky bar in town. Either way, make sure that your party has a cocktail theme to suit your venue and some funky decorations!

Cocktail Party Engagement Stubby Holder

Grab your Esky…
… For a Casual BBQ or Beach Party celebration call up your family and friends and get everyone to bring some meat and beer on ice! Let everyone know the time and place so that you can rendezvous at your favourite beachside barbeque. Be sure to pack plenty of sunscreen and your beer coolers for the ultimate beach engagement.

Beach Party Stubby Holder

Something Formal…

… Looking for something a little more formal, then why not book a swanky restaurant for your favourite eatery for your family and friends. If you have large numbers coming then you could consider a gift on the tables that combines as a place name too, here are a couple of ideas;

Place Name Stubby Holder

Place Name Beer Cooler

Place Name Stubby Holder

February 2012 - Valentines and Will You Marry Me?

With a busy start to 2012 we leave January behind and look forward to what February has in store for us and with 2012 being a leap year we have an extra day too!

Celebrating Valentine’s Day on the 14^th February and then 29^th being the one day of the year on which, traditionally, women can propose to men! It seems that Feb 2012 will be a busy month for Wedding Engagements!!

engagement stubby holder

So, why is it called a Leap Year I hear you ask? Well, Hundreds of years ago the leap year day had no recognition in English law and the day was simply 'leapt over' and ignored.

A leap year consists of 366 days, whereas other years, called common years, have 365 days. The extra day, the 29 February, is the 60th day of a leap year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 306 days remaining. The 29 February is known as a leap day and is added every four years to bring the solar year of 365¼ days into line with the calendar year of 365 days.

Will you marry me? stubby holder

29th February is the one day of the year on which, traditionally, women can propose to men. It was considered that as the day also had no legal status, it was perfectly reasonable that tradition also had no status, and so women took advantage of this and proposed to the man they wanted to marry. We have even seen a few proposal designs come through on our Coolaz beer coolers what a great way to propose to your man!

Did you also know that a law once existed in Scotland forbidding a man to refuse a proposal made to him on 29^th February - so what are you waiting for girls… go for it!

valentines day stubby holder

For many lucky ladies their man will beat them to it on Valentine’s Day, 14^thFebruary!

Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day is observed on February 14 honouring one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards.

Modern Valentine's Day symbols include the heart-shaped outline, doves, and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th century, handwritten valentines have given way to mass-produced greeting cards, you can check out some brand new gift card stubby holder ideas here!

Looking for a really personal touch? Then why not try our online designer and create your own masterpiece for your loved one! Or perhaps you are already engaged and looking for a great gift for your engagement party or wedding favours. Click on the image below to create your very own Coolaz beer cooler!

Design Your Own stubby holder