Chinese New Year: Horse (Craft Ideas for Lunar 2026)

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Chinese New Year: Horse (Craft Ideas for Lunar 2026)

Tuesday February 17th is Chinese New Year: Year of the Horse

Make a Red Letter garland using red envelopes and wax seals for the perfect finishing touch--almost like Chinese coins!

Chinese New Year has always felt like the perfect blend of tradition, color, and creativity, and it’s one of my favorite occasions to celebrate with simple handmade decor at home.

Instead of going all out with store-bought decorations, I love focusing on a few meaningful pieces that highlight symbolism, texture, and personal artistry.

This year, I leaned into the Lunar New Year theme with an easy red letter garland, a couple of small paintings, bamboo Lego set, and a sculptural horse accent to honor the Year of the Horse, creating a festive setup that feels intentional, welcoming, and completely doable for a cozy in-home celebration.

Simple Chinese New Year Decor for the Year of the Horse and Easy In-Home Party Ideas + Red Letter Garland Tutorial:

Celebrating Lunar New Year at home doesn’t have to mean elaborate decorations or over-the-top planning.

Sometimes the most meaningful setups come from a few thoughtful handmade pieces, symbolic colors, and personal art.

Let's get started!

Simple Chinese New Year Decor for the Year of the Horse and Easy In-Home Party Ideas + Red Letter Garland Tutorial: Celebrating Lunar New Year at home doesn’t have to mean elaborate decorations or over-the-top planning. Sometimes the most meaningful setups come from a few thoughtful handmade pieces, symbolic colors, and personal art.

This year, I created a simple but festive Chinese New Year setup inspired by the Year of the Horse, perfect for a cozy in-home party or seasonal decor that can stay up for weeks.

Using red envelopes, baker’s twine, a wax seal, and a few favorite art pieces, I pulled together a display that honors tradition while still feeling modern, creative, and approachable.

Why Decor Matters for Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year follows the Chinese calendar, which is based on moon cycles and rotates through the Chinese zodiac—a 12-year cycle of animal signs. Each zodiac animal represents different traits and energy for the year ahead.

The horse is associated with strength, independence, movement, and creativity.

The spirit of the horse symbolizes forward momentum, freedom, and confidence, making it a powerful theme to incorporate into decor and crafts.

Some years even fall under the Year of the Fire Horse, which is associated with passion and bold energy.

Decorating with intention is a great way to honor the zodiac animal while creating a warm, festive environment that works beautifully across the seasons of the year.

Lunar New Year follows the Chinese calendar, which is based on moon cycles and rotates through the Chinese zodiac—a 12-year cycle of animal signs. Each zodiac animal represents different traits and energy for the year ahead. The horse is associated with strength, independence, movement, and creativity. The spirit of the horse symbolizes forward momentum, freedom, and confidence, making it a powerful theme to incorporate into decor and crafts. Some years even fall under the Year of the Fire Horse, which is associated with passion and bold energy. Decorating with intention is a great way to honor the zodiac animal while creating a warm, festive environment that works beautifully across the seasons of the year.

Red Letter Garland: A Modern Take on Tradition

Red envelopes—often called hongbao—are traditionally used during Lunar New Year to gift money and good fortune.

For this decor setup, I transformed them into a decorative red letter garland that instantly sets the tone for the celebration.

Supplies Needed for Red Envelope Garland DIY:

affiliate links

Red envelopes (paper bag–style envelopes work well)
Black and white baker’s twine
Wax seal
Gold wax pellets
Wax warmer spoon
Bright gold acrylic paint marker
Scissors

Other fun optional:

Lego Bamboo Set
Horse Figurine (mine's out of stock but this one is awesome too)

Supplies Needed for Red Envelope Garland DIY: affiliate links Red envelopes (paper bag–style envelopes work well) Black and white baker’s twine Wax seal Gold wax pellets Wax warmer spoon Bright gold acrylic paint marker Scissors Other fun optional: Lego Bamboo Set Horse Figurine (mine's out of stock but this one is awesome too)

Step 1: Prepare the Envelopes

Lay out your red envelopes and decide how many you want in your garland.

Odd numbers tend to look best visually, but there’s no wrong choice here.

Fold the flap of the envelope down neatly over the bakers twine, so sealing them also connects them to the garland in one easy step.

Step 1: Prepare the Envelopes Lay out your red envelopes and decide how many you want in your garland. Odd numbers tend to look best visually, but there’s no wrong choice here. Fold the flap of the envelope down neatly over the bakers twine, so sealing them also connects them to the garland in one easy step.

Step 2: Add the Wax Seal

Melt your wax and add a small pool to the center of each envelope flap.

Press the wax seal firmly into the wax and let it cool completely.

The best part of wax seals is the pull off reveal!

Adding multiple mixed metallics in the wax warmer gives the seals a fun finish!

Then move down the twine about 2-4 inches (depending on the size of your garland) and place the next envelope around the twine.

You can add love notes, money or fortunes inside the envelopes before sealing if you want to make it interactive at your party!

Adding multiple mixed metallics in the wax warmer gives the seals a fun finish! Then move down the twine about 2-4 inches (depending on the size of your garland) and place the next envelope around the twine. You can add love notes, money or fortunes inside the envelopes before sealing if you want to make it interactive at your party!

Step 3: Gold Acrylic Paint Pen

Now use the gold acrylic paint pen to add a little metallic shimmer to the top raised surface of the wax seal.

Once hardened, use a bright gold acrylic paint marker to gently color the raised areas of the seal.

This step adds contrast and makes the seal stand out beautifully.

I like adding a little more attention to the red envelopes with the gold paint, but it's totally optional.

Decorating the Space: Art + Symbolism

To complement the garland, I decorated the space with two loose acrylic paintings I created:

A colorful Great Wall of China landscape
A playful fortune cookie painting

These pieces add cultural reference points while keeping the decor personal and artistic.

Mixing handmade art with symbolic elements is a great way to make Chinese New Year decor feel meaningful rather than store-bought.

Decorating the Space: Art + Symbolism To complement the garland, I decorated the space with two loose acrylic paintings I created: A colorful Great Wall of China landscape A playful fortune cookie painting These pieces add cultural reference points while keeping the decor personal and artistic. Mixing handmade art with symbolic elements is a great way to make Chinese New Year decor feel meaningful rather than store-bought.

Highlighting the Year of the Horse

To emphasize the Year of the Horse, I added a geometric white horse figurine to the display.

Horses are powerful symbols in the Chinese zodiac, representing freedom, loyalty, and energy.

This figurine acts as a modern nod to traditional horse crafts, and it pairs beautifully with other zodiac animal crafts.

You could easily swap in:

A stick horse for kid-friendly decor
A paper horse head wall accent
A simple horse shape cut from cardstock
DIY horse crafts made from recycled materials

If you’re crafting with kids, horse crafts are easy to adapt using paper lanterns, cardboard, or pre-made craft kits designed for Chinese New Year crafts.

This figurine acts as a modern nod to traditional horse crafts, and it pairs beautifully with other zodiac animal crafts. You could easily swap in: A stick horse for kid-friendly decor A paper horse head wall accent A simple horse shape cut from cardstock DIY horse crafts made from recycled materials If you’re crafting with kids, horse crafts are easy to adapt using paper lanterns, cardboard, or pre-made craft kits designed for Chinese New Year crafts.

Easy Craft Ideas for Kids and Families

This setup works wonderfully alongside simple, hands-on activities:

Paper lanterns in red and gold
Zodiac animal crafts using cardboard or paper
Horse race–themed games for kids
Paper bag puppets featuring the zodiac animal

These projects are perfect for introducing kids to the Chinese zodiac and explaining how each animal sign connects to personality traits and traditions.

Easy Craft Ideas for Kids and Families This setup works wonderfully alongside simple, hands-on activities: Paper lanterns in red and gold Zodiac animal crafts using cardboard or paper Horse race–themed games for kids Paper bag puppets featuring the zodiac animal These projects are perfect for introducing kids to the Chinese zodiac and explaining how each animal sign connects to personality traits and traditions.

A Simple, Meaningful Celebration

You don’t need elaborate decorations or a full party setup to celebrate Lunar New Year in a meaningful way.

A handmade garland, a few symbolic elements, and personal art pieces can transform a space while honoring tradition.

This kind of decor is flexible, affordable, and deeply personal—perfect for small gatherings, family celebrations, or simply marking the season with intention.

A Simple, Meaningful Celebration You don’t need elaborate decorations or a full party setup to celebrate Lunar New Year in a meaningful way. A handmade garland, a few symbolic elements, and personal art pieces can transform a space while honoring tradition. This kind of decor is flexible, affordable, and deeply personal—perfect for small gatherings, family celebrations, or simply marking the season with intention.

That's it!

Whether you’re celebrating the Year of the Horse, exploring Chinese New Year crafts, or teaching kids about cultural traditions, this approach keeps things creative, accessible, and heartfelt.

If you’re looking for an easy, creative way to decorate for Lunar New Year, this red letter garland and horse-inspired setup is a beautiful place to start—and one that can be adapted year after year as the zodiac cycles on. 🧧🐎

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Whether you’re celebrating the Year of the Horse, exploring Chinese New Year crafts, or teaching kids about cultural traditions, this approach keeps things creative, accessible, and heartfelt. If you’re looking for an easy, creative way to decorate for Lunar New Year, this red letter garland and horse-inspired setup is a beautiful place to start—and one that can be adapted year after year as the zodiac cycles on. 🧧🐎

CHECK OUT THESE OTHER FUN CHINESE NEW YEAR PARTIES AND CRAFTS!

Celebrate Lunar New Year: The Dragon!

Saturday February 10th is Lunar New Year, year of the dragon!

I love celebrating the new year with the Eastern world.

It's the Chinese Zodiac year of the dragon...so let's make an acrylic dragon cake topper. (do you know anyone who's a dragon? I married a dragon!)

Chinese Dragon Cake Topper cut from black acrylic on xTool S1 Laser Cutter.

As a craft enthusiast, I love the vibrant festivities of Chinese New Year, a celebration steeped in rich traditions and cultural significance. It's the year of the Dragon, a symbol of strength, prosperity, and good fortune. Let's make a simple party with decorations, meaning and a little cake!

How to Make Felt Fortune Cookies!

I love fortune cookies!

I love picking a fortune cookie and hoping for an actual fortune, but alas, a witty quip or odd saying. Make your own cookies and include actual fortunes!

These colorful felt fortune cookies are easy to make and take less than 15 minutes.

They are perfect reusable play food toys.

Make a bunch of brightly colored fortune cookies for imaginative play, as a decoration, or string them up on a garland!

Celebrate Chinese New Year 2023: Rabbit!

Learn How to Celebrate Chinese New Year this year!

Chinese New Year is such a fun holiday to celebrate. The new year is based off the lunar cycle, so it is also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival.

The celebration lasts for 2 weeks with Lantern Festival finishing it off on Feb 5th--so party as long as you like!

More reasons to celebrate during the gray month of January--sign me up!

Chinese New Year falls on the second New moon after the Winter Solstice (December 21, 2022).