Lunar New Year Cards, Zodiac Forecasts + Thoughtful Gifting with GroupTogether

Feel like you haven’t hit the ground running this year? No stress – you can start over again with Lunar New Year and file January away in 2025! We'll show you how to show up for friends and family and up your gifting game – plus get the inside scoop on your zodiac forecast for the year. 

Lunar New Year is a time for family, reflection and fresh beginnings. Celebrated globally – that’s right, it’s not just Chinese New Year – this occasion also includes Thai, Taiwanese, Vietnamese, Korean and so many other cultures and diasporas around the world. Wherever you are, it's about letting go of the old, welcoming good fortune and sharing well-wishes with the people who matter. At its heart, it’s about connection – and you know what that means. It’s the perfect time to send a thoughtful group card and maybe a little gift, too. 

When is Chinese New Year? 

This year, Lunar New Year will be held on the 17th of February. There are plenty of ways to get involved – watch streets come alive with lion and dragon dances, martial arts displays, traditional music and enjoy the buzz of festivals and night markets. From Sydney’s Lunar Festival to Singapore’s River Hongbao – where food and celebration are in full swing – you’ll find events all around the world. Gather your favourite people for a reunion dinner, share symbolic dishes like dumplings and rice cakes (leftovers encouraged – it’s lucky). 

Lean into tradition by hanging red lanterns, wearing something new, swapping red envelopes or paying a visit to a temple. And if you’re feeling hands-on, try a calligraphy workshop, tea ceremony, bucket list adventures or a lantern-making session. 

What the Zodiac Says About the Year Ahead

Each Lunar New Year is guided by one of the 12 zodiac animals, with its own themes, energy and outlook for the year. While interpretations vary, zodiac forecasts are often used as a fun and meaningful way to reflect on what’s coming – whether that’s growth, stability or relationships. 

Across the zodiac, Lunar New Year is commonly associated with renewal, optimism and intention-setting. Not all that different to the goals of the Gregorian New Year on January 1st, right? 

Including a light zodiac reference in your Lunar New Year greeting cards can add a fun and thoughtful touch – especially when sending cards to teams, clients, friends or family.

But you might want to get to know their sign first – and, for fun’s sake, yours too! 

This year – the Year of the Horse – is associated with energy, momentum, independence and forward motion. It’s a year that favours action, confidence and saying “yes” to progress – but it also rewards those who pace themselves and avoid burnout.

To sum it up in one sentence, the advice is to let out your inner horse – hey, we don’t make the rules! 

Let’s take a look at your mini forecast. 

Rat – Years: 2020, 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972

The Year of the Horse brings the Rat many opportunities – be wary not to let the right ones slip through your fingers. On the flip side, avoid spreading yourself too thin and trust your instincts – focused effort leads to better rewards.

Career: Fast-moving opportunities – stay flexible and strategic.

Love: Communication matters more than grand gestures.

Fortune: Steady, with rewards for smart decisions.

Ox – Years: 2021, 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973

To all the oxen out there – this is a steady year rather than a flashy one. That means consistency, patience and careful planning will be your best friends. The goal is building long-term security and quiet success. Keep your cards close to your chest – for now! (You can brag later, we promise.) 

Career: Progress may feel slower, but consistency pays off.

Love: Stability and trust deepen relationships.

Fortune: Modest but reliable – long-term planning is favoured.

Tiger – Years: 2022, 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974

Fortune favours your courage this year – and for a Tiger, courage is kind of your thing. When you balance bold action with thoughtful timing, progress comes faster than expected.

Career: A strong year for leadership and bold moves.

Love: Passionate energy – balance impulse with patience.

Fortune: High potential if risks are calculated.

Rabbit – Years: 2023, 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975

A gentle but positive year for fortune. Supportive relationships and calm decision-making help good things flow naturally your way.

Career: Collaboration and diplomacy open doors.

Love: A harmonious year for strengthening bonds – think long term.

Fortune: Positive, especially through relationships.

Dragon – Years: 2024, 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976

This is a strong year for recognition and momentum. When your confidence is matched with discipline, opportunities open quickly – so stop scrolling and get planning! 

Career: Momentum builds quickly – visibility and confidence shine.

Love: Big emotions, big conversations.

Fortune: Strong, particularly when goals are clear.

Snake: Years: 2025, 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977

Fortune improves as the year unfolds. Thoughtful choices and long-term vision help you avoid missteps and attract steady gains.

Career: Strategy over speed – think long-term.

Love: Depth and honesty bring clarity.

Fortune: Improves with careful planning.

Horse – Years: 2026, 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966

It’s your year! But traditionally, this is not necessarily considered a good thing – rather, a hurdle. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have immense growth this year! 2026 brings heightened energy, so taking initiative pays off – just remember to pause and recharge to keep fortune flowing.

Career: Your year to move forward – independence and ambition are rewarded.

Love: Exciting energy with many possible connections, but avoid rushing decisions – choose wisely, there will be a rosy match among thorns. 

Fortune: Strong, especially when you trust your instincts.

Goat – Years: 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967

A supportive year for emotional and financial wellbeing. Collaboration and creativity open doors you may not expect.

Career: Creative ideas flourish with the right support.

Love: Emotional connections deepen through empathy.

Fortune: Grows through collaboration.

Monkey – Years: 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968

Good fortune comes through adaptability and fresh ideas. Stay focused and your natural curiosity leads to rewarding outcomes.

Career: Innovation and adaptability bring success.

Love: Playful energy – keep communication clear.

Fortune: Good, but avoid distractions.

Rooster – Years: 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969

A balanced year for fortune, strengthened by organisation and clarity. Small, consistent wins add up to meaningful progress.

Career: Focus and refinement lead to recognition.

Love: Honest conversations strengthen relationships.

Fortune: Stable, with benefits from organisation.

Dog – Years: 2018, 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970

Steady and reassuring fortune follows you this year. Acting with integrity and loyalty attracts positive outcomes – but don’t worry, that’s second nature for you. This is the perfect year to show your appreciation for loved ones, whether with a simple greeting card, a thoughtful gift or quality time. 

Career: Teamwork and loyalty are key strengths this year.

Love: Love is set to flourish this year, with trust and support taking centre stage.

Fortune: Favourable when aligned with values.

Pig – Years: 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971

A warm, abundant year when gratitude guides your choices. Enjoy the good moments while keeping healthy boundaries in place in your personal and workplace relationships.

Career: Opportunities arrive through generosity and connection.

Love: A warm, fulfilling year for relationships.

Fortune: Positive – enjoy the rewards, but keep balance. 

Why Send Lunar New Year Cards?

While gifts and red envelopes are traditional, cards play a powerful role during Lunar New Year. A card allows you to share wishes of prosperity, health, happiness and success – to colleagues, family and friends divided by oceans. 

In workplaces especially, Lunar New Year cards are a meaningful way to:

• Acknowledge cultural celebrations inclusively
• Strengthen relationships with colleagues and clients
• Start the year on a positive, respectful note

What to Write on  a Lunar New Year Card

Try these lines out to nail your greeting card – these are perfect for sending to work teams, family and friends.

• Wishing you a Lunar New Year filled with good health, happiness and prosperity.
• May the year ahead bring new opportunities, joy and plenty of reasons to celebrate.
• Happy Chinese New Year! Here’s to fresh beginnings and good fortune all year long.
• May the Year of the Horse bring growth and calm moments your way.
• Here’s to strength, focus and steady progress.
• As the new year begins, wishing you peace, prosperity and happiness for the months ahead.
• New year, new luck – may your red envelopes be full!
• Wishing you good fortune, great food and zero awkward family questions this Lunar New Year.
• Out with the old, in with the lucky.

Why GroupTogether Is the Perfect Place for Lunar New Year Cards

GroupTogether makes it easy to celebrate Lunar New Year in a way that’s thoughtful and beautifully presented.

With GroupTogether, you can:

• Choose from a wide range of customisable group cards suitable for Lunar New Year
• Collect messages from multiple people in one shared card – perfect for families, teams or communities
• Add an eGift Card to accompany your well-wishes, giving recipients the freedom to choose what they love - consider it the modern version of your classic red packets.  

Create a keepsake card that feels meaningful, not generic. 

Whether you’re sending a Lunar New Year card to a colleague, a client or a loved one, GroupTogether helps you deliver something that feels intentional and personal – without the stress and delivery wait times. Yep, with GroupTogether, they’ll get their card at the exact moment YOU decide. 

GroupTogether’s AnyCard: Your Modern Red Envelope

Traditionally, Lunar New Year is marked by the giving of red envelopes – known as hóngbāo in Chinese – these are small packets of money shared as a symbol of good luck, prosperity and well wishes for the year ahead. While the meaning behind red envelopes remains deeply important, the way we give has evolved, especially with families, friends and work teams spread across different locations. With GroupTogether’s AnyCard, you can honour the spirit of the tradition in a modern, flexible way by gifting money digitally alongside a Lunar New Year card. 

Instead of cash, recipients receive an eGift Card they can swap for eGift Cards across hundreds of popular retailers from  Myer and Woolworths to Sephora and JB Hi-Fi, letting them choose what’s most meaningful to them. It’s a thoughtful alternative that keeps the symbolism of generosity and good fortune alive.

The best part? Never again do you have to worry about misplacing your red packet! 

Meet the experts

Melissa Evans

Content Writer, GroupTogether.

Ali + Julie

Co-Founders, GroupTogether

Life’s busy. That’s why we’re here to make it easy for you to collect money from a group. Less wasted time, less packaging waste, and spending a little less but giving a lot better!