One of the largest celebrations around the world, New Year is a time of new beginnings. The last day of the Gregorian calendar, it is believed that countries around the world have been celebrating the start of each New Year for around four millennia. But it is only in recent years that sending cards with the best New Year wishes for this holiday has become popular, particularly amongst people who do not celebrate Christmas. Plus, sending Happy New Year wishes for friends and family instead of Christmas cards can be a great way to reduce holiday season stress.
You’ll find tips and tricks for writing and sending your happy new year wishes for friends and family including 5 pre-written messages to inspire you! Check here for some interesting ideas on how you can use NY postcards.
Top Tip: Looking to send Happy New Year wishes for friends and family? Check out the fabulous selection of NY customizable photo cards in the MyPostcard app, which has a variety of pre-written messages to use.
When (and Where) is New Year?
New Year’s Eve is on 31st December, with midnight marking the start of the year in the Gregorian calendar. New Year’s Day (1st January) is also a holiday in many countries. Although New Year is celebrated in most countries around the world, it is often celebrated at different times as the different time zones reach midnight. Tonga and Christmas Island are some of the first places to welcome in the year and Baker Island in America is one of the last.
1st January was the first day in the original Julian calendar, which was implemented by the Romans in 153 BCE. However, different countries and cultures may observe traditional or religious New Year as well or instead of this Western tradition. For example, the Chinese New Year, Islamic New Year, Japanese New Year and the Jewish New Year.
5 Ways to Celebrate New Year
As we go out with the old and in with the new, there are so many diverse traditions around the world, including various NY superstitions. Some of the most popular ways of welcoming in the New Year include:
Make a New Year’s Resolution
New Year is one of those times that we take stock of our lives and the direction that we are heading in. Statistics have suggested that up to 60% of us propose resolutions each year, but only 8% of us manage to keep them. However, studies have also shown that making them as a group can support people by encouraging accountability.
Have a Party
For many people, New Year would not be complete with attending or hosting a party! With champagne flowing, snacks and nibbles, and party décor, the atmosphere is of anticipation; especially when you consider this is often the last big party of the party season – or the first, depending on how you look at it!
Strike of Midnight
NY is all about that moment when the clock strikes 12. In the USA, many Americans gather round to watch the ball drop in Times Square. However, in Spain and some Spanish speaking countries, people eat 12 white grapes, with one being eaten on each stroke of midnight. If you manage to eat all of them, you will have good luck for the 12 months to come. Whereas, over in Scotland they welcome the New Year with a rousing rendition of Auld Lang Syne.
Watch the Fireworks
Around the world, New Year is often welcomed in by fireworks, with some of the biggest firework displays costing as much as $6 million. Many towns and cities organise impressive New Year displays, and some of the biggest are even televised. People go with a group of friends. If certain friends and family can’t make it, make sure to send them Happy New Year wishes anyway!
First Footing
First footing is an ancient superstition that is still practised in many Celtic countries, like Scotland and Ireland. Basically, the first person who enters your house after midnight should be a dark-haired man carrying coal, salt, bread and whisky. Another popular superstition is to open your front and back doors for the stroke of midnight, to let the old year out and the new year in.
Pssst! You can discover more about around the world New Year traditions here. Alternately, check this out for some top photography tips that will help to make sure your NY pics pop!
How to Write Happy New Year Wishes for Friends and Family (5 Perfect Quotes)
With most cards, what you write will depend on who your recipient is, and your reason behind sending it. However, some phrases are always a hit! If you’re looking for Happy New Year wishes for your significant other, then make sure you read these 21 ideas.
Check out the best quotes for Happy New Year wishes as inspiration for friends and family:
#1 New Year’s cards for businesses
Sending New Year’s cards for business reasons is not quite the same as sending Happy New Year wishes for friends and family. Messages may offer a more professional tone such as this one:
Thank you for helping to make this year a great one! I hope you have a happy, healthy and prosperous 2021. Season’s Greetings! From the team at.
#2 Happy New Years wishes for family (and good for friends)
During the holiday season, many of us enjoy spending time with our families, and sending them a NY’s card is a great way to wish them all the best for the year ahead. If you are sending New Year greetings to family, you could write something like:
Out with the old, in with the new. Here’s to hoping that all your New Year wishes come true! May the New Year bring us all happiness, love and prosperity. Lots of love!
#3 Happy New Year wishes for friends and family during troubled times
New Year can be a particularly difficult time for those who are going through troublesome times. Let your loved one know you are thinking of them with an inspiring NY message like this one:
Marking a new beginning, a New Year is a blank page. Providing the chance for us to write a new story with hopes anew. Well, here’s to hoping the next 365 days are filled with joy and happiness for you!
#4 For friends
If you are looking to send New Year greetings to a friend, you could write a message like this one:
Thank you for being such a star this year. It’s been a pleasure! Hoping that all your wishes come true for the next one. Love from.
#5 Funny Happy New Year wishes for friends and family
Put a smile on your recipient’s face with a message such as this one:
As you are pretty perfect already, you do not need to make Resolutions like the rest of us. I resolve to stop telling lies but luckily I have not started yet! Even though we will probably do exactly the same stuff as the last one, I hope your New Year is more than acceptable!
Psst. Looking for more inspiration? Check out these unique New Year Card greetings!
When to send your Happy New Year wishes for friends and family?
When to send your Happy New Year wishes for friends and family would depend on where you live in the world and where they live. You will need to check the expected delivery times in your country. In both the UK and Australia, the postal service is running every day except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. In the UK, the post takes around 2-4 working days, with 1st class usually arriving the next working day. Having said that, the Royal Mail offer a cut off date each year to guarantee your cards reach their recipient in this busy period. Whereas, in Australia, post usually takes between 4 and 8 working days. If possible, we always advise you to send your cards out as early as possible to ensure your recipient receives it on time.
Top Tip: Running late on your NY card delivery? MyPostcard has got your Happy New Year wishes for friends and family covered. We have two printing locations in the US, one in the UK, one in Australia and one in Germany. As a result, we can often offer prompt international delivery!
Still struggling to find that right Happy New Year wishes for friends and family? Now What?
Check out the superb selection of New Year themed cards at MyPostcard. You can even customise your card with a photo for that extra special personalised touch!
Discover more about the joys of New Year traditions and places to visit over at MyPostcard, including travel tips for NYE, New Year décor ideas and more!