Shop Talk: Favors, favors, everywhere!

So you're planning some festivities...a kid's birthday, a baby shower, a Harvest Moon get-together. You've looked at the local party store and ai-ya! - they don't carry Asian-themed decorations or favors. You're desperate...where do you turn???

As always, the internet! My Asian Heritage has found quite a few web-based resources for just the right culturally-relevant souvenirs. Move beyond buying fortune cookies from your local Chinese restaurant by visiting the following sites:

Beau-coup has large selection of high-end favors for adult occasions and/or weddings. First, create ambiance the right lighting - order festive round paper lanterns in a variety of colors and hang strategically around your venue. Then, if it's an outdoor event, keep your guests cool by handing out intricately-carved sandalwood fans, or mini-buri for a more rustic, island feel. Finally, make sure your guests remember their lovely evening by handing out personalized travel tea tins at the end of the evening.

For a kid's event, visit Asian Ideas. One click on their ”Party Supplies” category reveals a veritable treasure-trove of items ranging from Hello Kitty tiaras to a Fortune Cascade centerpiece (you have to see this to believe it). If your kid's classmate stole the show last year with pony rides in the backyard, never fear: you can purchase your very own professional Lion Dance costume (with sequins) for the very auspicious price of $888.

If you're planning a sushi party, this will become your new favorite website! You can you find sushi placemats and coasters for the dining table, a sushi shower curtain for the bathroom, sushi band-aids for any of your guests who may inadvertently injure themselves, and sushi air fresheners to keep the room smelling fresh. (I'm assuming that the air fresheners are only shaped like sushi and don't smell like it.)

Do you have favorite places to find Asian-themed party decorations and/or favors? Share them with us!

*Note: the adorable rubber-duckies in the picture with the words for fortune, happiness, health, and longevity can be found here on the Asian Ideas site.

Asian American Heritage Month

Did you know that May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage month? Here are some interesting tidbits, courtesy of the U.S. Census Bureau...The first 10 days of May were chosen to coincide with two important milestones in Asian/Pacific American history: the arrival in the United States of the first Japanese immigrants (May 7, 1843) and contributions of Chinese workers to the building of the transcontinental railroad, completed on May 10, 1869.

Be sure to check out celebrations and festivals in your area throughout the month. Here are a few to choose from:

New York, May 10: Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival
San Francisco, May 17: Asian Heritage Street Celebration
Boston: A collection of events and exhibitions throughout the Boston area
Los Angeles: Contests, events and exhibitions throughout the LA area
Chicago: Events, exhibitions, seminars and more

Let us know if you've got other events to highlight in your area!