Simple yet amazing! Handmade New Year’s card ideas that will delight

Keyboard playerSAKI
I’ve been playing the Electone since I was six, mainly performing Disney music, anime songs, and music from dramas and films. I post performance videos on YouTube and social media, and I also give concerts. Building on my Electone experience, I took up synthesizer and piano during my student years and performed at school-sponsored events. As a writer, I’ve covered not only music-related topics but a wide range of genres, so I hope to draw on my experience to deliver articles that make readers think, “I want to try that!” or “I want to listen to that!”
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

Have you given up, thinking “I want to make New Year’s cards by hand, but it seems difficult…”?The truth is, you can create surprisingly beautiful New Year’s cards just by using familiar materials like washi tape, stamps, and origami!In this article, we introduce ideas for New Year’s cards that will make people exclaim, “Amazing!” when they see them.Each one can be finished with simple steps, so even first-timers can try making handmade New Year’s cards with ease.This coming year, why not send a heartfelt, handmade New Year’s greeting to someone special?

Simple yet impressive! Handmade New Year’s card ideas that will delight (31–40)

Make it with 100-yen store materials! Mizuhiki Horse

https://www.tiktok.com/@hohoemiss/video/7565461251363507474

Let me share an idea for making a horse face using mizuhiki cords.

You’ll tie the mizuhiki yourself, but since it uses the standard awaji knot, it’s easy for beginners to try.

Prepare two cords at 23 cm and one cord at 13 cm.

Tie the two 23 cm cords with the awaji knot twice to form the horse’s face, and tie the 13 cm cord with the awaji knot once to create the mane.

Layer the two pieces and glue them together, and your horse is complete! Adding beads for the eyes could be cute, too.

Mizuhiki is known as an auspicious decoration, so try making this and incorporating it into your New Year’s card design.

Raise the rankinglower

sasashina

Report a problem

How to draw a cute horse

@uka_0618
Drawing lesson! Zodiac horse edition ✨ This time it’s a horse! I even tried drawing it running 🥳#Drawing #YuruKawaii illustration #Drawing lesson Zodiac (Chinese zodiac)#Procreate
♬ Umapyoi Densetsu (feat. Koharu Rikka) [cover ver.] – takaokamizuki

If you want a cute horse illustration for your New Year’s card, this is for you! First, draw two ears, keeping them slightly pointy, and connect the space between them.

Sketch the outline so the face is a bit long, and add a fluffy mane between the ears.

Draw a rounded line toward the bottom of the face and place dotted nostrils inside it.

Then add the eyes, color it however you like, and you’re done! The key is to keep a soft, rounded feel throughout.

Try adding patterns if you like, too.

Raise the rankinglower

SAKI

Report a problem

Cute horse brush pen illustration

@monmon_nigaoe
[Brush Pen Illustration] I tried drawing a cute horse 🐴—my son's requestSimple illustration I tried drawing with a brush pen.Brush pen illustration
Run, Makibaō / Midori no Makibaō – Studio Megaane

Perfect for the Year of the Horse! Here are some cute horse illustrations to try.

In this idea, the horse’s distinctive nose is exaggerated—so big that it’s drawn larger than the face.

But by doing so, it brings out the horse’s charm and adds a unique touch.

Start with a rough sketch and then trace it with a brush pen, copying an illustration you like until you’re satisfied.

Adding eyelashes will give it a girly look.

Make the most of the brush pen’s qualities to finish with a lively, dynamic illustration.

Raise the rankinglower

sasashina

Report a problem

Great for New Year’s cards, too! Horse origami

@shinichikudo273
Year of the Horse Origami: How to Fold a HorseOrigami #fyp #foryoupage #origamitutorial #origami
♬ Original Song – Origami Crane – Origami Crane

Origami creations can be incorporated as three-dimensional designs for New Year’s cards, and their warmth will likely help convey the sender’s feelings as well.

In this idea, you start by making creases.

Using those creases, you fold it up in order to form the head and neck, legs, and tail.

Techniques like the cushion fold (zabuton-ori) and inside reverse fold appear, and because the steps are simple, even children can give it a try.

Why not use Japanese-style patterned origami that suits the New Year and make one yourself? If attaching the piece directly makes the card too thick, please attach a printed image and send that instead.

Raise the rankinglower

sasashina

Report a problem

How to paint a horse in watercolor

@watercolorbyshibasaki
I'll try painting a horse in watercolor! 🤗🎨Watercolor horse #I tried drawing #paint #tiktok classroom #Landscape
Original Song – Shibasaki – Shibasaki

If your child enjoys and is good at painting with watercolors, how about having them paint a horse in watercolor? However, if you use watercolor paints directly on a New Year’s postcard, the card may wrinkle or the colors may rub off onto other cards.

It’s recommended to use watercolor paper postcards or scan the finished painting and print it onto the New Year’s card.

If you scan it, you can freely adjust the size afterward, so your child can paint the horse boldly on a large sheet of paper and still use it.

Encourage them to draw freely while looking at the horse they want to depict—whether it’s a drawing, a photograph, or the real thing.

Raise the rankinglower

SAKI

Report a problem

Simple yet impressive! Handmade New Year’s card ideas that people will love (41–50)

A horse carved from an eraser stamp

@kururistamp
I’m going to carve a stamp of the zodiac horse for 2026♪Stamp #EraserStamp #New Year's card How to make #Production Video
On Pink Clouds – kawaii HarmonyStream

Here’s how to make a horse eraser stamp, perfect for New Year’s cards.

First, draw the horse you want on paper with a pencil.

Next, transfer the drawing onto the eraser and trace it firmly with the pencil.

After that, use a craft knife or carving tool to carve little by little around the lines.

The trick is to leave the drawn lines and carve away everything else.

When you’re done, apply ink in your favorite color and press it onto paper.

If the shape prints cleanly, it’s finished.

When cutting, take your time so you don’t cut your hand—working slowly is key!

Raise the rankinglower

kepiko

Report a problem

Brush Challenge! New Year’s Card of the Horse

@rensuiartgallery
Easy! How to Draw a Horse [New Year’s Card 2026]Zodiac (Chinese zodiac)How to Draw a Horse #howtodraw #sumie #New Year's card
♬ Healing music of love frequency 528Hz(1288586) – Healing Music Lab

Here’s an introduction to drawing a horse illustration that’s great for New Year’s cards and helps you get comfortable with using a brush.

First, prepare a white postcard, a brush, and ink or black paint.

Start by lightly sketching the outline of the horse.

Next, dip just a little ink on your brush and slowly draw the head, neck, legs, and other parts in bold strokes.

Using the tip of the brush creates thin lines, while laying it down makes thick lines, giving the horse a lively sense of motion.

Once you finish drawing, it’s also nice to write the year or “Happy New Year” in your favorite color.

It’s fun to add a sunrise or grass around it, too! When it’s completely dry, you’re done.

Raise the rankinglower

kepiko

Report a problem