Create a Festive Red Envelope Banner for Lunar New Year

With Lunar New Year just around the corner, I’m jumping into a special DIY project—making a handmade red envelope banner for my son’s school! Lunar New Year is a huge deal in our family, especially here in San Francisco, where the traditions run deep. And yes, my mother-in-law will definitely be reminding us about every superstition under the sun—whether we like it or not! But hey, better safe than sorry, right? I love bringing these traditions to life through creative projects like this one.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you recreate this festive banner and add some DIY charm to your Lunar New Year celebrations!

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Step-by-Step Instructions to Create Your Lunar New Year Banner:

Materials Needed:

• 9 sheets of 8.5″x11″ red cardstock

• Paper cutter

• Corner paper punch (optional)

• Homemade Asian border stencil

• Gold paint marker

• Gold adhesive vinyl (if using a Silhouette printer)

• Silhouette printer (optional)

• Hole punch

• 1.8mm micro paracord

• Lighter (for sealing paracord ends)

• Tape

• Scissors

• Hooks or nails for hanging the banner

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1. Prepare Your Red Cardstock:

   • Start with your 8.5″x11″ cardstock. Using a paper cutter, cut it lengthwise to create two 4.25″x5.5″ pieces. These will be the base of your banner.

   
   

2. Design the Corners (Optional):

   • If you want to give your banner a more festive look, use a corner paper punch to round off the edges of each piece of cardstock.

     
     

3. Create the Border Design:

   • Using your homemade Asian border stencil, carefully position it in the corners of your cardstock. Use the gold paint marker to trace the design, adding a decorative touch to each corner. Allow the paint to dry completely.

   
   

4. Add the “Happy Lunar New Year” Text:

   • If you have a Silhouette printer, print the words “Happy Lunar New Year” using gold adhesive vinyl, then carefully apply each word onto the center of your cardstock.

   • If you don’t have a Silhouette, no worries! You can freehand the letters using the gold paint marker for a personal touch.

   
   

5. Punch Holes for Hanging:

   • Use a hole punch to punch a hole at the top of each individual banner piece (near the left and right edges). These holes will be used to thread the paracord for hanging.

     
     

6. Prepare the Paracord:

   • Cut a piece of 1.8mm micro paracord to the desired length for hanging your banner. Use the lighter to carefully burn the ends of the paracord to prevent fraying.

     
     

7. Thread the Paracord and Secure:

   • Thread the paracord through the holes you punched at the top of each banner piece. Once all pieces are threaded, secure the paracord on the backside with a small piece of tape to prevent the banners from moving around.

     
     

8. Tie Loops for Hanging:

   • Once all the pieces are threaded, tie a loop at each end of the paracord so you can easily hang your banner on hooks or nails.

     
     

9. Final Adjustments:

   • Adjust the spacing of each banner piece on the paracord to your liking. Make sure everything is even and visually balanced.

     
     

10. Display Your Banner!

    Hang your beautiful Lunar New Year banner in a place where everyone can see and enjoy the festive design!

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Your Lunar New Year banner is now ready to bring festive cheer to your home! It's the perfect way to celebrate the occasion with vibrant color and meaningful design. If you loved this project, be sure to follow me on Instagram for more creative holiday decor ideas that will inspire you all year long! Let’s make every season a little brighter together!

Get Inspired!