Gung Hee Fatt Choi

When I was a little girl in Hong Kong, children celebrated Chinese New Year by going out to watch fireworks in the evening carrying cellophane lanterns hanging from bamboo sticks. These were wire outlined shapes, like animals, birds, or butterflies, with colored cellophane filling them. In the center was a little well holding a tea light or votive candle.

So just to be clear - hundreds of small children in crowded streets carrying highly flammable items hanging from sticks with lit candles inside. And yet no one ever seemed to be burnt up.

They were very beautiful,like carrying around a stained glass window.

Here are some paper patterns to make traditional Chinese costumes for your 18 inch doll. Carpatina makes some nice looking playline dolls and dolly clothing actually, including a wide range of international traditional costumes.