Swap Due Date: Due February 12, 2026
Signup/Withdraw Date: Due February 12, 2026
Number of ATCs: 3 for 3 or 6 for 6
Number of Participants: Unlimited
Medium: Any and all media and techniques are welcome
Chinese New Year - Year of the HORSE, Due FEBRUARY 12, 2026
The date of the Chinese New Year is determined by the lunar calendar. The holiday falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice. Each year the New Year in China falls on a different date than on the Gregorian calendar. Dates range between January 21 and February 20. The Chinese New Year 2025, Year of the HORSE begins on FEBRUARY 17, 2026 – the second New Moon after the Solstice.
The "Spring Festival", beginning on the new moon, is the start of Chinese New Year, and is China's longest and most important traditional festival. It is celebrated at the turn of the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar, which consists of both Gregorian and lunar-solar calendar systems. Chinese New Year can begin anytime between late January and mid-February. The Chinese New Year’s festivities end two weeks later on the 15th day of the first month (Full moon) and is celebrated with what is known as the Lantern Festival.
There are many traditions/beliefs associated with the New Year:
The Chinese believe that as they enter a new year, they should start a new beginning.
They pay off all of their debts, purchase new clothes, paint their doors, and even get new haircuts in order to have a fresh start. The night before the New Year begins, it is important to completely clean the house and sweep it. If you sweep or clean on Chinese New Year Day, it is bad luck, because you are sweeping out your good luck from the New Year. The same goes for bathing/showering. Instead of washing the morning of Chinese New Year, you are supposed to bathe the night before, then wait until the day after to shower again. Otherwise, all your (New Year) good luck gets washed away.
Chinese New Year day is spent with family and friends, and usually there is a big family dinner. Flowers on the table each flower has meaning, fruit in bowls, and each traditional dish made, symbolizes something.
For this swap, your cards can be depictions of this new year, 2026, which is the Year of the HORSE. But you may also depict any Chinese New Year or Chinese New Year Animal, and there are 12 Chinese New Year animals to pick from.
Usually the U.S. post office (as well as the Canadian Post Office) releases a stamp to celebrate Chinese New Year. It is not available yet, but I will post a link when it is.
You can show the Spring Festival, or the Lantern Festival, or red envelopes, or peonies, pineapples, mandarins, kumquats, or koi.
You can create cards about New Year beliefs/celebrations/traditions regards things to do, and other items which are BAD LUCK to do.
You can show celebrations such as Lion Dancing, Dragon Dancing, Dragon Boat Races, parades and/or fireworks.
The dragon is a very popular symbol for the Chinese New Year. It is a symbol of strength and good luck. A Chinese New Year celebration would not be complete without a giant dragon parading down the street. The dragon costume is always very colorful and can be up to 100 feet long. People inside the costume make the dragon move up and down as it zigzags past the spectators.
You can show Chinese New Year traditions, like the gifting of money in red envelopes/red pockets.
On Chinese New Year, it is good to be a single person because all the married people give unmarried people red pockets with lucky money inside. Others say red envelopes are only for children.
Fish, which are synonymous with Chinese New Year, Koi in particular.
Koi are very positive symbols and the different colors all have their different meanings!
So when you fill you Koi pond, make sure you get the right color mix! All very feng shui!
You can depict flowers. Flowers are great alone, and can also make excellent backgrounds.
The Peony is known as "flower of riches and honour" or "king of the flowers", and is used symbolically in Chinese art. It is a flower much favored for Chinese New Year. The Narcissus is a symbol of the beginning of a new year. It is a symbol of good fortune and prosperity in Asia. Cherry Blossoms symbolize spring, the new year, and new beginnings. Daffodils are for luck. Peach Blossoms feature in the Lunar New Year celebrations.
You can depict fruit such as mandarins or kumquats, symbolizing good fortune and prosperity.
In Lam Tsen there is a Wishing Tree where people throw Wishes tied to Mandarins into the Wishing Tree.
Pineapple is considered a auspicious fruit for festive season. There are always pineapple tarts in every home during the Chinese New Year. Red Lotus seeds mean fertility. And pistachio nuts are lucky.
You can add Lucky Coins. Tie the coins together by red or gold string/ribbon to activate them. Group them in 3s, 6s or 9s. They obviously attract wealth! Odd numbers are better than even numbers
You can show fireworks or firecrackers. There are many beliefs about why fireworks are used. One belief is that the noise of the fireworks is supposed to scare away all evil spirits, allowing the new year to begin without misfortunes.
* This is a 3 for 3 or a 6 for 6 card trade. Make 3 or 6 ATCs cards and receive the same number back.
* ALL mediums and techniques are welcome. Please make sure you add some depth to your cards, whatever style you choose. Your mediums can include, but are not limited to: paper, tissue paper, crayon, acrylic, watercolor, gel pens, colored pencil, rubber stamping, ink, newspaper clippings, magazine clippings, etc. Please do not take an image, cut it out, glue it to a card, and call it done. Color the background. Add some texture. Add more than one image. Make the ATC YOUR CREATION! Please send in your best work. Something you would not be disappointed in receiving if it was sent to you.
* Please sign up by posting to this thread.
* ONLY ATCs allowed. No APCs accepted.
* All cards need to be sent each in their own plastic sleeve.
* All cards need to be standard ATC size: 2.5” x 3.5”
* All cards need to be sturdy enough to earn the name “card” (no floppy or flimsy paper). If it is created on a single sheet of paper, please back your ATC with something stiffer, or more firm, such as a cereal box.
* Just as important, check for cards that are too thick. Each card must still be capable of fitting into the standard ATC sleeve. If your ATC will not fit into an ATC sleeve, it is too bulky.
* Please put the Swap name and your Username on the back of all cards. And please write clearly on everything!
.....I can't give you itrades and others can't give you Reputation points if we don't know who you are.
* Please confirm there is enough postage on both the envelope you send to me, and the envelope I need to send back to you.
* If you are unsure about mailing ATCs, or just may want to pick up some good tips for shipping, there is a great link in the Site FAQs.
Also, here is a direct link:
@
Feb 19, 2008
HOW TO: Pack and Mail your ATCs for Swaps
* If you are inside the U.S., please include a Self Addressed Stamped Business Size Envelope (Approximately 4 by 9 1/2 inches), with one "Forever" stamp or current First Class Postage if trading 3 cards; or one "Forever" and one additional ounce postage stamp if trading 6 cards, OR if your cards are extra heavy or extra bulky (or 2 forever stamps if that is easier).
* International participants, if you have U.S. funds, or U.S. postage, it is greatly appreciated. However, since many of you do not have access to U.S. stamps/money, I will cover your postage. Please include a self-addressed envelope 4 by 9 1/2 inches (10 x 28 cm), or if you do not have the correct size envelope, please include a large mailing label with your address and I will provide the envelope.
* I apologize for being so demanding about the envelope size, but the postal rates in the US charge extra for thickness. When cards are stacked, or overlapped, in (a smaller) envelope, it almost always costs more to mail. If you send me a small envy, the cards get stacked. When I use the 4 inch by 9 1/2 inch business size envelopes, I can spread the cards over the area, making a THIN package, and only pay for basic (minimum) postage.
* Share pics if you can. Everyone enjoys seeing what others are creating.
If you do share, be sure to delete your pics before the swap is archived so that they won't count toward your gallery usage.
* Cards are due IN MY HANDS by February 12, 2026. Please allow sufficient lead time for cards to get to me, particularly if you are an international participant. Please try to mail your cards early!! Delivery times are taking much longer than we are used to. Unfortunately, I do not know why??
* Returns will be mailed promptly. Please leave
Feedback for your
HOST ONLY (me) when you receive your returns, and please take the time to leave
Reputation points for your fellow players from whom you receive cards.
* A hostie card in this theme is appreciated but not at all expected!
* Thank you for considering this swap! If you have my address from previous swaps, it hasn't changed. If you are new, or have not been in one of my swaps for a while, please
send a direct message to me for my address when you sign up or when you are ready to mail.
* Above all, Have fun!
