Chinese New Year E-Card Suppliers

Chinese New Year will be celebrated on February 7, 2008. This year, 2008, the Chinese New Year is the Year of the Rat. To read more about the background and other fascinating information pertaining to the Chinese New Year, check out articles on Chinese New Year by AC Content Producer, Carol Bengle Gilbert.

Since many people who celebrate Chinese New Year live in the "Chinese World" (which includes but is not limited to China, Taiwan, Vietnam, etc.), you may find it easiest to send e-cards to people living in the Chinese World, as well as your Chinese friends who live in the U.S.

Here are three free Chinese New Year card suppliers to get you started.

Chinese New Year Cards Supplier #1:123 Greetings

Website: http://www.123greetings.com/events/chinese_new_year/

This site has an excellent selection of Chinese New Year e-cards. I didn't view all of the e-cards, but the ones I viewed had excellent graphics and music. They could all be personalized and sent to numerous people. They can also be scheduled to launch on a specific date. Additionally, there is an option to add on gift cards in different denominations if desired. The one annoying thing about this site is the numerous flashing pop up ads. The selection of cards is great, as long as you don't mind the ads!

Chinese New Year Cards Supplier #2: Blue Mountain

Website: http://www.bluemountain.com/category.pd?path=35147

This site also has a nice selection of e-cards, including Chinese New Years e-cards. There is advertising on the site, but it isn't as annoying as the 123 Greetings site. However, you have to register to send Chinese New Year e-cards (as well as other e-cards) through Blue Mountain. There is a free 1-month trial membership. After the one-month trial is over, the membership cost is $13.99 for one year. That may be worth it if you send numerous e-cards throughout the year. Unfortunately, you do have to provide your credit card information even for the trial membership.

Chinese New Year Cards Supplier #3: Care 2

Website: http://www.care2.com/send/catcny1.html

This was one of the less impressive Chinese New Year e-card sites I came across in terms of the actual cards, but it is worth mentioning for a couple of reasons. First of all, the Chinese New Year e-cards on this site include options for a great deal of customization. For example, in addition to choosing the basic card design, you may choose a custom "stamp" to go on the card, a custom background, and custom music to accompany the card. (I must note, however, that I didn't see any music that fit with the Chinese New Year, but it may be a nice feature when sending other types of ecards.) In addition to the three previously mentioned customization options, you may also use common customizing options that you find in word processing and email programs such as bold, underline, different colors and fonts, etc. Even more impressive is the fact that Care 2 cards enable users to support causes they believe are important. The Care 2 card site states the following, "We work with more than 250 non-profit organizations to inform you of urgent environmental issues and inspire you to take action and make your voice heard by your elected officials. We then make it easy for you to sign petitions and public comments, which we help deliver directly to key decision-makers. We have green living tips, environmental discussion boards, the world's largest green directory service and much more."

If you want to customize and send Chinese New Year e-cards and be politically and environmentally active at the same time, this may be the site to use, even though their initial selection is not as impressive as the other two sites mentioned.