Happy New Year Wishes for Friends: Wording Ideas and Card Designs

Whether you see the end of the year as a time for celebration, reflection, or a bit of both, sending a warm message to loved ones is a great way to usher in the upcoming year. If you’re not exactly sure what to say, not to worry. We’re offering a variety of Happy New Year wishes for friends that you can use to say something sweet, silly, or deeply sentimental. Plus, we’re sharing some of our favorite card designs that you can personalize this holiday season. 

Happy New Year Wishes for Friends

From funny New Year greetings to sentimental thoughts, there’s something for every type of friendship on this list of New Year’s wishes. We’ve also rounded up quotes from famous people to help you find the right words. Whether you want to share an uplifting message with a friend who had a tough time this past year or share sweet thoughts of how important your bestie is to you, here are some ways to put those thoughts into words.

Sweet, Sentimental, and Funny New Year’s Wishes

To write the best New Year card, reflect for a moment on the friend who’ll be receiving your card. Think about how you’d characterize your friendship. Do you two spend every day laughing and making fun of life’s serious moments? If so, your New Year’s card should be comical or light-hearted. On the other hand, if your friend had a rough year or experienced a loss, you’ll want to craft a supportive New Year’s note or sorry for your loss message. If your loved one is religious, consider using faith-oriented wording.

Here are some sweet, sentimental, and funny New Year’s wishes for friends that you can try out:

• Here’s to hoping the New Year is better than last and a total blast!
• May the New Year bring joy, prosperity, and good health to you and your family.
• I hope the coming year brings many blessings to your brood. We can’t wait to share memories, laughter, and fun with you all!
• As you know, we failed our New Year’s resolutions by the end of the first week of last year. Let’s try a little harder this time around, shall we? Whether we succeed or fail, I’ll be right here cheering you on. Hope you have a wonderful year filled with adventure and delight.
• I know this past year wasn’t the easiest. Here’s to new beginnings and great friends that will always be by your side. Can’t wait to see where the new year takes you — and wherever that is, I’ll come visit!
• Wishing you the best New Year ever. Hope it’s as wonderful as you are. Thanks for the years of friendship and fabulous memories.
• Ready for a fresh start? I know I am! Here’s hoping this next year brings us new adventures, new opportunities, and new goals to conquer. Thanks for being my best friend and always having my back.
• Dear friend, may God grant you serenity and happiness this New Year. We wish you and your family members all the best this upcoming year.
• As the old year leaves its mark, the New Year is yet to be written. Can’t wait to see what you do with this new chapter. Wishing you a beautiful holiday season and a wonderful New Year’s Day.
• It’s the start of a new year! Wishing you good luck as you navigate the chaotic New Year celebrations and transition into the next chapter of life. My wish is for it to be filled with new hopes, joy, and lasting memories.
• I couldn’t ask for a better person in my life. Sending lots of love this holiday season and wishing you a great year ahead.
• I know my new year is going to be fabulous! Why? Because you’ll be in it! Thanks for being so supportive, kind, and funny. The whole year has been memorable thanks to you. 
• Looking forward to another year of joy and fun together, dear friend! Wishing you a very happy New Year’s Eve.

Quotes for the New Year

There’s no shame in drawing inspiration from famous figures who’ve said it best. Here are some of our favorite New Year’s quotes that you can use to share well wishes this holiday season:

• “Cheers to a New Year and another chance for us to get it right.” — Oprah Winfrey
• “Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one.” — Brad Paisley
• “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.” — Albert Einstein
• “May all your troubles last as long as your New Year’s resolutions.” — Joey Adams
• “For last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice.” — T.S. Eliot
• “Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each New Year find you a better person.” — Benjamin Franklin

8 Card Designs to Say “Happy New Year”

Once you know what you want to say, have fun choosing a beautiful New Year’s greeting card. At Greenvelope, you’ll find thousands of digital invitations and New Year’s cards. Each design is customizable so you can switch up the color palette, typography, and add style elements like music to make it special. Share your New Year greetings and New Year quotes in some of our favorite designs below.

1. Blustery Card

Design: Carrie ONeal

This dual Merry Christmas and New Year’s card is perfect for celebrating joy this holiday season. It features an elegant arch photo slot where you can upload your favorite snap of friends from this past year.

2. Good Fortune Card

Design: Raven Erebus (photo courtesy of Angela & Evan Photography)

Send your best new year wishes for good fortune and prosperity with this delightful card. It features a painted character for the words “good fortune” and a photo slot for your favorite picture of you and your bestie.

3. Glitter Fireworks Card

Design: Ringleader Paper Co. (photo courtesy of Jimmy Bishop)

Share warm wishes for a festive and prosperous New Year with this stunning design. Featuring dazzling bursts of fireworks and gold foil accents, it’s sure to ring in a New Year full of blessings.

4. Next Card

Design: Shari Margolin Design

Drawing inspiration from Ariana Grande’s song, this cheeky card is perfect for bidding adieu to a year that was less than fabulous. Share funny New Year wishes with a friend using this card and look forward to a new year and a new you.

5. Brilliant Start Card

Design: Ana Sharpe Design

Share happy New Year quotes and happy New Year messages in this brilliantly bright card. The card features vibrant fireworks and modern, whimsical text. It’s available in several colorways and features a backside with plenty of text room for a personal message. 

6. Out With the Old Card

Design: Signature Greenvelope

As they say, “out with the old, in with the new!” If your bestie is ready to kick last year to the curb, use this festive card to ring in the New Year. It’s modern and trendy — just like your friend — ensuring it will bring joy to this time of transition.

7. New Year’s Cheers Card

Design: Design Swift

Say cheers to a New Year with this bubbly online card. It’ll have your best friend ready to pop bottles and celebrate new memories and a New Year. Choose their favorite color as the background and make it personal with a message in the large text box on the back. 

8. Hope Card

Design: Jamie Alexander

We all need a little hope this time of year. Send happy New Year wishes for friends with this beautifully illustrated card. Featuring hands cradling the word hope, it’s an ideal choice for friends who are looking forward to a hopeful and brighter world this year.

Ring in the New Year With Those You Love

Send happy New Year wishes for friends this holiday season with gorgeous greeting cards from Greenvelope. Whether you want a sentimental tone or a festive vibe, you’re sure to find it here. If you’re looking for ways to ring in the New Year with your friends, don’t miss our guide to throwing an amazing New Year’s Eve party. Cheers!