The Ultimate Guide to Designing New Year Cards (Tips and Inspiration!)

As the year winds down, there’s no better way to celebrate new beginnings than by creating your own New Year cards! Designing DIY cards can be a joyful and fulfilling experience for both beginners and experienced cardmakers. It’s not just about the cards; it’s about sending a piece of your heart to friends and family, letting them know you’re thinking of them as the New Year unfolds.

Bling on the New Year - Add Glam With This Embossing Technique!

In this ultimate guide, we’ll explore tips, tricks, and plenty of inspiration to help you create stunning handmade cards that reflect your unique style. Let’s get started!

Why Design Your Own New Year Cards?

Creating your own New Year cards is a fun and fulfilling activity and a meaningful way to connect with friends and family. So why should you design your own New Year’s Day cards?

• Personal Touch: Simply put, handmade cards show that you care. They may not have that polished and professional look like store-bought cards, but the recipient will surely appreciate the time and effort you put into it. 
• Creative Expression: Through creating your own DIY New Year cards, you can let your personality shine. There’s no limitation when it comes to your creativity in cardmaking. 
• Cost-effective: Not only do you get to create something unique and special, but you also save money. Tip: Recycle and repurpose some of your existing crafting supplies! Mix and match sentiments to create special New Year’s Day card greetings.

What’s keeping you from creating New Year’s Day cards?

Before we jump into the fun part, let’s address some common issues cardmakers like you encounter when making New Year cards. 

1. Lack of Inspiration

We’ve all been there. You get your crafting supplies out and end up staring at a blank piece of white cardstock. Our advice? Use online resources like blogs, Pinterest boards, and social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook to gather ideas. Consider themes based on your favorite colors, patterns, or even seasonal elements.

2. Limited Time

Let’s face it, we all feel like we don’t have “time” for anything, especially in this day and age. If you want to create multiple DIY New Year’s Day cards for family and friends, opt for simple designs that can be customized easily. You can also maximize efficiency by making them in batches. 

3. Finding the Right Materials

Sure, you have the basics—stamps, dies, inks, and paper. But in order to make those New Year’s cards stand out, you’ll want to stock up on more essential crafting supplies before shopping. Of course, you can always start with basic items and gradually add unique products as you go.

Essential Supplies for New Year Cards

Here’s a handy checklist of crafting materials you might need to make those handmade New Year’s Day cards dazzle and shine!

Crafting Supply/Tool	Recommended products
Glitter Cardstock	Glitter Cardstock Set - Gilded
Metallic Cardstock Paper	Brushed Gold Metallic Cardstock, Brushed Silver Metallic Cardstock
Coloring Medium	Metallic Watercolor 14 Pan Set
Inks	12 Metallic Shimmer Ink Spray Bundle, Pigment Ink Bundle
Decorative Tapes	Glitter Tapes
Shiny and Sparkly Embellishments	Metallic Gold & Silver Gem Sparkles, Metallic Thread Set, Essential Black & White Enamel Dots

Design Tips for Stunning New Year Cards

Ready to make handmade New Year’s cards that will impress your family, friends, and even coworkers? We’ve gathered 5+ tips and inspiration just for you. We hope you give these a try on your next cardmaking session. 

1. Choose a Theme

Streamline your design process by deciding on a theme. Whether you want to go for something clean and simple or something more bold and dramatic, having a theme will help you work more efficiently. We think you’ll love these themes:

• Winter Wonderland: Incorporate snowflakes, icy blues, and whites.
• Festive Colors: Use gold, silver, and red for a classic holiday feel.
• Nature-inspired: Think greenery, earthy tones, and rustic elements.

2. Incorporate Personal Messages

Make your card stand out by adding a heartfelt, handwritten New Year’s Day message. You’re in luck because we’ve already compiled a few of them here.

What to write in a New Year’s Card

3. Use Layering Techniques

We all love CAS cards, but let’s face it, layered and 3D cards are much more fun! Add depth to your handmade New Year’s Day card by using glitter cardstock, vellum, patterned paper, layering dies, and embellishments. 

4. Experiment with Typography

In case you didn’t know, the font you choose can significantly affect your greeting card's overall look. Figure out whether you want to stick to one big sentiment or small sentiment strips—or both! 

Tip: Mix Fonts! Combine script and sans-serif for a modern twist. Use larger fonts for key messages and smaller ones for details.

5. Add Fun Embellishments

Even clean and simple cards have embellishments! These fun finishing touches can elevate your card’s design and turn it from 0 to 100 instantly. 

Tip: Use glitter (or glitter cardstock) to add sparkle. Add some themed stickers for a playful touch. Or tie a ribbon around your card for a finished look.

Inspirational Ideas for New Year Cards

1. Add some bling with gold mirror cardstock, a 3D embossing folder, and die cut your sentiment out of glitter cardstock! Here’s a fun DIY New Year’s Day greeting card by Jenny.

2. If you’re going for a more minimalist look on your greeting cards, this quick and easy New Year card idea by Aga is for you.

3. Do you know someone whose New Year’s resolution is to “travel more”? You're in luck. Laurie’s colorful card idea is a must-try!

Layered Floral Cover Die A & B

4. When in doubt, go for monochrome! Aga kept it clean, simple, and stunning by die-cutting a background die out of white cardstock and stamping her sentiment in black ink. Easy peasy! Find out more here.

Adore You Stamp Set

5. Flowers are always a good idea. Don’t have any New Year’s Day-themed stamps and dies? Get out your florals and stamp them repeatedly in the background, then add the word “celebrate” (or any other celebration-related sentiments in your stash) and you’re good to go! Check out this tutorial by May!

Beautiful Day Stamp Set

6. Mix and match flowers and foliage from different stamp sets to create a unique design. Aga’s New Year’s Day greeting card idea is another must-try and can easily be done using the Stampwheel!

Create Unique Handmade New Year Cards with These Tips and Tricks!

Designing your own New Year cards is such a fulfilling way to express your creativity and connect with the people you care about. With these tips and a sprinkle of inspiration, you can create beautiful handmade cards that bring joy and warmth to your loved ones. As always, if you need more New Year’s Day card greetings, we’ve got them right HERE. 

Happy crafting, and here’s to a fantastic New Year filled with creativity and connection! Drop by In the Craft Room for more unique cardmaking ideas.