R's Mulan birthday party updates

I've just noticed that most of my previous posts were kind of depressing -- me being stressed and me ranting and complaining somewhat. Oh well, life does hand out lemons once in a while. It's up to us to make lemonade out of those lemons.

Ok, on to a happier topic.

I'm in the thick of preparations for my daughter's first birthday party. As I've mentioned before, the theme of her party is Mulan. It's a pretty unique theme. The problem with unique that it's difficult to look for things to fit the theme. I'm actually simplifying it to include elements that are Chinese. I've gotten her a cheongsam, I've bought brocade coin purses for prizes, and I'm deciding between getting chocolate gold coins in paper shoes or fortune cookies as giveaways.

I'm still thinking of what to do to make the party more in theme and more festive. Maybe some paper lanterns, if I can find any. And maybe some calligraphy, which I could probably do myself, IF I get the time.

At least the party planning is always fun. I hope this party will turn out ok, even if I do not really have a big budget for this.