Just a few more days and we get to celebrate New Year’s Day again! That’s right, February 12th ushers in the Year of the Ox on the Chinese lunar calendar. The ox symbolizes strength, dependability, discipline, and good, solid hard work—qualities we’ll surely all need this 2021.
So, whether you’re of Chinese descent or not, why not take this chance to send auspicious greetings and wish good fortune on all for the year ahead. We found fabulous Chinese New Year greeting cards and fun Chinese red envelopes to help you do just that! Click away on the links below to order ready-made cards and envelopes, or to see tutorials four some you can DIY! (*this post contains affiliate links)
Kung Hei Fat Choy! (Wishing You Joy and Prosperity!)
"Year of the Ox" New Year’s Greeting Cards
Ornate or stylized? Traditional or trendy? Take your pick from these New Year greeting cards, featuring the Ox symbol for this year.
1 – Ox Lunar New Year Card – Paper Source brings you this gold-on-red long rectangular card design, enclosed in a kraft envelope.
2 – Year of the Ox 2021 Chinese New Year card with hangable ornament – This one from Hallmark is pretty special, as it includes a removable Year of the Ox ornament with a watercolor design, gold foil accents and a tassel hanger!
3 – Chinese New Year 2021 Year of the Ox – Designed by Blazed Falcon, this card from Red Bubble takes inspiration from the traditional craft of Chinese paper cutting and comes with a kraft envelope.
4 – Happy Chinese New Year Pop Up Greeting Card 2021 – Talk about elaborate! This card (available on Amazon) comes folded flat, then opens to reveal a laser-cut ox figure and a 3D Chinese pavilion. A delightful collector’s item!
5 – Year of the Ox: Artistic Chinese New Year Greeting Card – A pretty painterly style graces this card from NobleWorks Cards—with the ox wearing a little Chinese children’s cap.
6 – Red Lights Chinese New Year Party invitation – This one is actually an invitation in fold-out form from Purple Trail. In stark red and black with stylized graphics, it’s a modern take on marking the lunar New Year.
Lunar New Year Red Envelopes to Buy or DIY
Kids can’t wait to get these traditional red envelopes, called hongbao, from their parents or grandparents as Chinese New Year gifts. Not only do they hold "lucky money" but the red wrapping itself is meant to symbolize energy, happiness, and good fortune, too!
1 – Hello Kitty Red Packets with 4 Designs / Hongbao Lucky Money Envelopes – In place of an ox, yes, that’s Hello Kitty on these red envelopes, available on Amazon. Perfect for the kids!
2 – Chinese New Year Red Envelopes 2021 with Zodiac Ox Pattern (32 pcs.) – Also from Amazon, this set of envelopes features varied designs of playful ox characters.
3 – Lucky Chinese Red Envelopes (Tutorial) – Thanks to Chalk Academy’s free printables and how-to video, you can make your own envelopes for the New Year. Just trace the Chinese characters with a gold marker and add any gold trims you wish.
4 – DIY Chinese Red Envelopes – Just like Jill of Create Craft Love did, you can use this craft project to not only wish others well on Chinese New Year, but also to teach the kids in the family about a different culture (enjoy Chinese food, eat with chopsticks, open up fortune cookies)!
5 – Red Packet New Year of the Ox 2021 – Choose from assorted 6-pack sets of ox character designs on these lucky money packets from Walmart. Sending wishes of good fortune in a fun way.
Here’s to all the best for everyone in this Lunar New Year of the Ox!
Planning a virtual Chinese New Year event this year? Grab some inspiration and ideas from us here:
How to Host a Chinese New Year’s Party: Your Guide to a Stylish Affair
Chinese New Year’s Party Ideas for the Whole Family to Enjoy
It’s Time to Plan a Kid-Friendly Lunar New Year Party
Celebrating the Lunar New Year with a Chinese American Twist