Mickey and Minnie and their Dragon Friends Celebrate the Lunar New Year!!!

This tablescape is a part of the Disney (Sketchbook) Holiday Series.

Whether you celebrate New Year’s eve on December 31st or on the traditional Lunar New Year’s Eve which falls on February 9th this year, Mickey and Minnie and their Dragon Friends, would like to help you celebrate!!

This tablescape is a part of the Disney (Sketchbook) Holiday Series. Below is a picture and link to last month’s “Disney Sketchbook Holiday Series” tablescape.

Mickey, Minnie and Friends’ Snowy Christmas Tablescape

If this is your first time to my website – Welcome to the lake!! I’m glad you’re here! If you have been here before – Welcome Back! I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas Season!!! Those of you who have been here before likely are already familiar with the “Disney Sketchbook Holiday Series” – which started with a summer “Drawing Disney Tablescape” and morphed into a challenge I set for myself to see if I could do a tablescape for each Holiday using the Disney Sketchbook Dishes and Serving pieces, and often reusing the Disney flatware, mugs, glasses, napkin rings, and sometimes even reusing the Disney character “centerpieces” as well.

The picture above shows items that are often reused – the Disney sketchbook salad plate, the Disney plush characters, and the Minnie Figural mug.

The idea is to be able to use one set of dishes, to create about 13 different holiday tablescapes. However, for this particular tablescape, I just happened to have some Dragon Plates, and since 2024 is the “year of the Dragon”, I decided I just had to use my dragon plates instead of the Disney Sketchbook dishes for this one!! In addition, I realized I wanted to use my dragon napkin rings. So aside from reusing the Mickey and Minnie Figural cups, I’m not sure this table counts as a “Disney Sketchbook Series Tablescape”, however, maybe we can just consider it a “Disney Holiday Tablescape”.

I will include links to some of the other Disney Holiday Tablescapes near the end of this post.

The items that inspired this tablescape are the dragon plates (above) that I happened to find in Homegoods right after Christmas last year. I thought they would make a great start to a tablescape for New Year’s eve or New Year’s Day! Because the Chinese Dragon is a symbol of wealth, luck and good fortune, it always has a part in Lunar New Year celebrations. I plan to use the above dragon plates for many different New Year’s tablescapes.

I was hoping to find a few of these dragon plates this year to add to the ones I have, but I haven’t had luck on that yet. However, I was in a Homegoods store yesterday and did see some similar ones – pictured below. I think that they would be gorgeous in a Lunar New Year Tablescape! They are only $6.99 each.

In case you would like to find some dragon plates for this year’s Lunar New Year, the Homegoods style number for the above plate is S866437.

Regarding plates and other Lunar New Year items, Williams Sonoma Lunar New Year Collection was fabulous this year. Unfortunately the William Sonoma plates have a higher price point than the Homegoods plates , but on the positive side, the Williams-Sonoma collection is much easier to find.

The dragon is an even bigger part of the Lunar New Year this year – as each year has its own zodiac sign and 2024 is the year of the dragon.

Each Chinese Zodiac sign is celebrated as “the year of” every 12 years. For example, 2024 is the year of the dragon, 2012 was also the year of the dragon, as was 2000 and so on. If someone was born in a dragon year, it is believed that his or her personality, good fortune, and and the characteristics that drive his or her career path, are similar to the characteristics of the dragon. Also, it is believed that being born in a dragon year will effect what zodiac years of birth one is compatible with, as well as with what zodiac year of birth one is most likely to have a conflict. For more on the Chinese Zodiac signs you may enjoy this Chinese Astrology Post.

The “Dragon” in Chinese Zodiac tradition is associated with power, luck, confidence, enthusiasm and romance, and those born in the year of the dragon are believed to be the most compatible with those of the Rooster and Monkey zodiac signs. In addition, according to tradition those born in dragon years conflict most with the energy of those of the DOG zodiac sign.

Do you celebrate New Year each year? Do you have special plates or decorations? If you live in the US, do you celebrate the Lunar New Year, and if so, do you celebrate on the US usual holiday days of December 31, and January 1st or do you celebrate on the first new moon of the calendar year?

The Lunar New year begins on the day of the first full moon of Spring. In 2024, the holiday begins officially on February 10th and celebrations continue for 15 days. In China most people have 7 days of vacation within this time period.

I have been a fan of Chinese New Year as far back as the early days of Epcot at Walt Disney World, where a Fabulous Chinese Dragon Parade commemorated the Lunar New Year! Although I can’t find a video from that time period at Epcot, I did find this one (below) from London in 2023 which resembles what I remember of the dragon dance I saw in Epcot in the 70’s.

I had a lot of fun putting my Disney-Epcot-Lunar New Year memories into a tablescape.

The Plate Stack

As mentioned above, the first item I found specifically for this Disney Lunar New Year Tablescape was the Dragon plates.

To make the plate stack I began with a gold tablecloth as my foundation. I found this tablecloth at least a decade ago, but I do not remember where I purchased it.

I added a Table Runner to the table from Williams-Sonoma. It has an embroidered dragon on both ends of the table runner (see below). I love that it the background color is red, as red symbolizes luck, good fortune and joy in the Chinese culture, and also is believed by some to protect against evil spirits.

After the table cloth and table runner, I added a red jeweled and beaded placemat to the table. It was purchased at Homegoods a few years ago.

The first plate in the “plate stack” is a Luminous Gold Charger Plate from Sparkleshome.com

Another picture of the gold charger, included because I think this photo is interesting, because it shows the Luminous Gold charger reflecting the Chinese lanterns and fans that are hanging from the chandelier, kind of a view from the table perspective.

On top of the Gold Glitter Charger, I added the dragon plate from Homegoods in 2022.

Centerpieces

When planning the tablescape, I knew I needed some Disney Plush Characters to tie in with the Lunar New Year Theme. I first tried ShopDisney.com but had no success there.

I thought I had seen Lunar New Year Mickey and Minnie on eBay when I was looking for something else Disney related, so I checked there next. I found multiple sets there, from multiple years. Based on price and costumes I chose two sets, both are believed to be from Shanghai Disneyland, however I chose US based sellers to avoid have to deal with lengthy expensive shipping and exchange rates. Both sets were labeled “new” on the eBay description, which they appear to be. One seller shipped from New Jersey and one from Michigan.

I did look for Mickey and Minnie Lunar New Year 2024 plush, but could not find any on sale at the time. Even now they seem to only have 2024 Lunar New Year Mickey and Minnie in the very small (9″) beanie size. I prefer using the Medium Plush (15 to 19″ tall) or the “Greeters” (20-24″ tall) on my tablescapes.

The above, Mickey and Minnie are from Shanghai Disneyland. They are from LUNAR NEW YEAR 2023 – THE YEAR OF THE RABBIT. Note the rabbit in the center of Minnie’s bow, and on the top of her dress. Mickey has an embroidered rabbit near the neckline of his kimono too.

This Mickey and Minnie plush (above) are also from Shanghai Disneyland. They are from LUNAR NEW YEAR 2021, THE YEAR OF THE OX. Note the ox near the neckline of Minnie’s blouse, and the ox horns that are on the hats of both Mickey and Minnie.

Since I couldn’t find any Mickey and Minnie from Lunar New Year 2024, the year of the Dragon, I decided to get a family of Chinese Dragons for the center of the table.

I found this family of dragons on Amazon. I love that they are not only dragons, but Chinese dragons as well (and sooooo cute – especially the baby).

Other Items in the Place Setting

Other items in each place setting include Morgantown Ruby Goblets. Please click on the link to read more about Morgantown glass history in my Valentine’s tablescape post, where these goblets were also used.

These Morgantown Glass Goblets are in the “Golf Ball” pattern.

Each place setting also has a Figural Mickey or Minnie mug.

The flatware shown (below) is Golden Affection by Oneida. This flatware was given to us by friends and family at our wedding 35 years ago. It is occasionally available on eBay.

Each place setting also has a red napkin for luck, and a white vintage Fitz and Floyd dragon napkin ring.

Also in the Dining Room

In the dining room, I decided to add some of the Chinese Lanterns and Chinese fans that I had purchased at OrientalTrading.com a year or so ago.

With the Chinese fans, I purchased two identical sets so I could put identical fans back to back so they would look good from both sides of the table.

The lanterns (below) are battery operated and I love how they look at sunset…

and in the dark.

Also in the dining room, I placed two dragon banks (from eBay) on the small set of drawers. I love that the colors coordinate with the plates on the table.

However, I later decided to move them to the dining counter, because, while I was at Homegoods this week, I happened to notice the below dragon.

I decided that he would be a nice addition to the dining room and the Lunar New Year tablescape. The dragon looks like an ice sculpture to me (only without the melting problem). I love that it lights up!

I was very surprised with some of the beautiful Lunar New Year items in Homegoods this year, vases, decorative trays, garland, ornaments, figurines, and many other things. It was great to have so many things to consider!

I hope you have enjoyed the Mickey and Minnie Lunar New Year Tablescape. It is fun to be making a tablescape that is a mixture of Disney and the Chinese New Year, since Disney World was where I was first introduced to the dragon dance and the Lunar New Year’s Day parade!

I wish you a very Happy New Year on January 1st,

and a very happy Lunar New Year on February 10th!!

I hope 2024 brings you Good luck, Good Fortune and Joy in the coming Year !!!

Table Details and Origins

for

Mickey and Minnie’s

Lunar New Year Tablescape

Dragon plates – Homegoods 2022 (Homegoods carried Blue plates with dragons in 2023 which could be a great alternative)

Dragon Plates from Williams-Sonoma are another great alternative – available in 2022 and 2023

Red Beaded and jeweled Round Place mats – Homegoods – around 2022

Golden Affection Flatware by Oneida – Occasionally Available on eBay

Mickey and Minnie Figural Mugs – Homegoods – available periodically over last 6 years

Luminous Gold Charger Plates – Sparkleshome.com

Plush Dragons – Amazon

Mickey and Minnie Plush for Lunar New Year 2023, Year of the Rabbit – often available on eBay

Minnie and Mickey Plush for Lunar New Year 2023, Year of the Ox – often available on eBay

Chinese Paper Lanterns – OrientalTrading.com

Chinese paper fans – OrientalTrading.com

Vintage Fitz and Floyd Napkin Rings – eBay – available occasionally in the last 5 years

Dragon Table Runner – Williams-Sonoma December/January 2023

Dragon Table Runner – Less expensive alternative to the above – Party City

Morgantown Ruby Goblets in Golf Ball Pattern – eBay

Red Napkins – Homegoods – often available in November- February

Red and Blue Dragon Banks/ figurines – eBay

Blue Chopsticks – Homegoods 2023 found these after the tablescape was photographed

Dragon Chopsticks Rest – Williams-Sonoma – 2023 (these were purchased for this tablescape and arrived after photographs were taken)

Acrylic Light-up Dragon Figurine – Homegoods 2023

Posts I think you will like …

If you liked this Mickey Mouse Holiday Tablescape, I think you may also like…

“Drawing Disney” Tablescape – “Disney Love” for All Seasons

Mickey and Minnie Celebrate Thanksgiving with Tom Turkey!!

Mickey, Minnie and Friends’ Snowy Christmas Tablescape

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse Go To School

Hola!!! Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse & Friends Celebrate Cinco de Mayo!!!

Link Parties 

Following is a list of websites I really like!  They are listed under the day of the week where they also host a Family Friendly “Link Party” aka “Blog Hop”.

If you click on the name of the blog (in blue) on the evening of the day of the week they are listed under, it should take you to the Link Party, where many bloggers have joined with them to share their own ideas.  I love how the link parties connect you with both a great blog, and other blogger’s ideas as well!  Many thanks to all these bloggers for bringing so many ideas to all of us!!! 

You can actually find these link parties any day of the week, by clicking on the website name below, but once you click, you may need to scroll thru a few entries to find the link party you are looking for. 

Sunday 

Life as a Leo wife (Nikki), Eclectic Red Barn (Beverly),  Décor Craft Design (Mel) ,A Labour of Life (Linda),  Ducks ‘n a Row (Sinea),  Love My Messy Messy Mess (Katie)   host “Happiness is Homemade” Link Party.  I love checking out the home decor, holiday decorations and current projects of all the hostesses as well as the ideas from their link party !

Life and Linda hosts “Love Your Creativity Link Party”.  I love checking out Linda’s gorgeous holiday decorations and tablescapes, and her chandelier decorations are a beautiful finishing touch!!

The House on Silverado  hosts – “Sundays on Silverado” link party. I am fairly new to Niky’s site but am loving her holiday decorating and her new grandma stories!!

Ridge Haven Homestead  – “Sunday Sunshine” Blog Hop.  In addition to the blog hop, I am enjoying reading about Laurie’s homestead, the “off the grid” lifestyle they are living and the cabin they are building.

April J Harris – hosts Hearth and Soul Link Party monthly on the first Sunday of the month. I am enjoying reading about April’s traveling adventures, as well as her projects at home!  

Monday

Life Tales Books Blogspot  hosts Will Blog for Comments Link Party. Jennifer is a Photos and Story Treasures Consultant, and I am enjoying her ideas on photos and memory books, as well as her link party!  

Holly-Pink Lady(Holly) and Sunshine and books blog (Sarah) host “Hello Monday Link Party”. In addition to the link party, I am enjoying Sarah’s book recommendations, and Holly’s recipes and party ideas.  

Between Naps on the Porch hosts  “Metamorphosis Monday” posts, which are all about “Befores and Afters”. I love seeing Susan’s amazing home projects which are very inspiring!! I always come away with some great ideas from her posts and from those who have linked up!!

The following link, Senior Salon Pit Stop will get you to the link party on Esme’s site as well as getting you to some great recipes and other ideas!

Charlene at A Pinch of Joy hosts “Busy Mondays”. Charlene’s website is all about home decorating, and holiday decorations and recipes. The first two things are things I love to do and the Recipes are things I like to eat!

Good random fun blogspot hosts The Good.Random.Fun. link party  Tamar’s website has some great photography, interesting places to visit, and thoughts on many things. Recently, I enjoyed reading about Hanukkah celebrations!

Beverly at Eclectic Red Barn, Nicky at Life as a Leo Wife, Michelle at Moms are frugal and a few other hostesses host “You’re the Star Blog Hop” I love checking out these websites and the link party for holiday decor, crafts, money saving ideas and tablescapes.

Tuesday

A Stroll Thru Life   hosts  the “Inspire me Tuesday” link party. Marty has an eye for design and decorating, and turning your house into a home. I always enjoy reading about her projects.

Eclectic Red Barn (Beverly)  and Penny’s Passion (Penny) host the “Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop” which often opens on Tuesday evenings. I have enjoyed Beverly’s Red Barn project and her projects and decorating . Penny’s website has both projects and recipes I have enjoyed reading about – and more – see “Thinking Out Loud” under “Thursday” in this list.

Masterpieces of my Life hosts the “Home Imagined Link Party” on Tuesday every other week. This is a relatively new link party for me to attend, and I am really enjoying it the many home projects and decor ideas found here!

Jenerally Informed  hosts the “Happy Now Link Party”. Jen from Jenerally informed and Leslie from playmates to parties host “happy now” which brings many craft and decorating ideas and recipes for fun holiday foods.

Perfectly Imperfect-LWL hosts the “Tell It To Me Tuesday Link Party” which brings many decorating ideas, recipes, and ideas for family activities.

Kim and Cassie from Lou Lou Girls host the the “Fabulous Party”. Lou Lou Girls post unique recipes, family activities, DIY and party ideas!

Marci at Stone Cottage Adventures hosts “Tuesdays with a Twist”. Marci posts on gardening, sewing, recipes, crafts and books! Marci’s link party contains many other fun ideas as well.

Wednesday

Karin’s Kottage hosts the “Karin’s Kottage Link party”.  I am also enjoying keeping up with Karin’s Italian Palace remodel! as well as her decorating ideas, crafts, grandchild activities and home projects.

French Ethereal hosts a “Share Your Style”  link party where decorating, recipes, fashion, tablescape styles are all shared.

Esme Salon recently began hosting a “Wordless Wednesday” photography link party – I can’t wait to link up!

Creatively Beth  hosts the “Creatively Crafty” Link Party. Beth’s website contains wonderful craft posts, including amazing up-cycle, from scratch, and Dollar Store Crafts. Beth’s link party contains a variety of family friendly posts including recipes, crafts, and holiday decor.

Ridge Haven Homestead hosts the Homestead Blog Hop.  I am also enjoying reading about the off the grid home that Laurie and her family are building.

Karin at Fifth Sparrow No More, hosts “Whimsy Home Link Party”. Karin posts about Finding the Beauty – in decorating, travel and faith and family!

Cecelia at My Thrift Store Addiction hosts “Vintage Charm” link party. What Cecelia does with her thrift store finds is so creative!

Thursdays

I often participate in Between Naps on the Porch Tablescape Thursday. I have been following Susan for quite a long time, and absolutely love her Tablescapes!!! I also love the ideas shared on her Tablescape Thursday link party! 

Katherine’s corner hosts the  “TFT – Thursday Favorite Things” blog hop.  I love the assortment of wonderful decorating, recipe, tablescape, and inspirational ideas found here.

Southern Sunflowers   hosts their “Home Matters Link Party” at 8 CT on Thursday.  I have really enjoyed linking to their link party and the various decorating, recipe, tablescape and craft ideas found on this website and their “Home Matters” Link Party.

Penny’s Passion  hosts the “Thinking Out Loud Link Party” which often begins on Thursday. Thinking out Loud is a great post published each Thursday, and covers many interesting topics. Today the topic was “elf on the shelf – for empty nesters”and I love the traditions Penny has started in her home. So cute!

Roentare.zenfolio blog hosts a photography link party each week.  The photography is absolutely gorgeous, as are the places he and his wife photograph!

Good Random Fun  hosts the “Little Things” link party, which I enjoy. Its a place for sharing and reading about lots of different topics and ideas.

Marsha in the Middle and Melynda, from Scratch Made Food for Hungry People, and Lisa, from Boondock Ramblings host “Weekend Traffic Jam” which goes live on Thursday at 8:30 pm CT. Marsha posts about Fashion and the link party contains holiday decorations, fashion, and recipes (to name a few of the family friendly links).

Friday

Stephanie at Crazy Little Lovebirds hosts the “Crazy Little Lovebirds link party.” It is a gathering for home decor ideas, recipes, tablescapes, reflections, etc. I am enjoying being a part fo this group.

Building Our Hive hosts the “Funtastic Friday” Link Party which includes recipes, home decor, tablescapes, crafts, travel and other family friendly posts.

Cindy at County Road 407  hosts the “Farmhouse Friday” Link Party, which begins at 6:30 am CT each Friday and features home decor – all styles; holiday decorating, tablescapes, crafts, etc.

Andrea at The Cottage Market hosts “A Morning Cup of Joe” link party. Both the website and the link party feature DIY projects, Recipes, home decor, crafts and holiday decorations.

Erika at A Little Bit of Everything and Andrea at Momfessionals, host “Friday Favorites”. Both websites and the link party feature family activities, home decor, fashion, entertaining, recipes, and holiday decorations and traditions.

At Lou Lou Girls Kim, Cassie and Amber bring lots of good recipes and family activities to us and also host “Fabulous Friday” a link party that brings us recipes, holiday decor, family activities and many other family friendly ideas!

Saturday

Pieced Pastimes  Hosts “Saturday Sparks Party”  which includes home decors, recipes and holiday fun foods, tablescapes, crafts, etc. Among the many things I appreciate at Pieced Pastimes is the first picture of many posts, where Suzanne shows her current view at home (in New Hampshire) I love her wonderful view in all weather!

I hope you will enjoy visiting these wonderful bloggers on the above websites as much as I do!

Comments

I LOVE to hear your comments, and would also love to hear about your New Year’s traditions!!! Comment section is at the Very Bottom of this post!!!

Have a Blessed New Year!!!