The Chinese New Year 2012 kicks off on January 23^rd, bringing about a fun way for you and your significant other to spend time either by yourselves or with a group of friends. Certain facts relating to China fascinate me and I believe that putting together a cultural celebration of this type is a unique way to explore how others live while experiencing an entertaining time learning something new.

Decorate using Chinese cultural items such as chop sticks, red lanterns with candles in them,  dragons, bright  tablecloths with a gold runner and plastic take out boxes.

Order or prepare your own Chinese food to serve your significant other or your group of friends and family. Chinese lo mein noodles, fried rice, orange-glazed chicken, layered egg and beef over rice, bourbon chicken, taro duck and wonton along with egg drop soups are all possible meal items you can serve for your Chinese New Year dinner.

Create or order your own fortune cookies. Several Chinese restaurants that I know of offer fortune cookie bundles that start at just a few dollars for half a dozen. Online ordering of personalized fortune cookies is an option if you're looking to get really creative. Websites such as chinese-fortune-cookie.com offer recipes for you to make the cookies on your own. Personalize your cookies by writing your own fortunes on them for your significant other, guests or your kids to read.

Serve hot tea for your honey or guests to drink using the smallest tea cups you have. Pick tea types including jasmine, black or green tea.

Print out a web page that explains what the various Chinese animals represent and place the sheets near where your guests will sit for dinner. This year, 2012, is the year of the dragon. The dragon represents innovation, bravery and passion, according to infoplease.com.