I’m thrilled that New Year’s cards have taken off — after all, why should December mailboxes have all the fun?

Plus, have I mentioned how much I love getting photo cards in the mail?

(Yes, it looks like I have.)

Also, let’s be honest, New Year’s cards are a brilliant solution for those of us who never got around to sending out holiday cards but would still like to. After all, you’ve still got a good month to send them out. Plus they’re now as clever and well designed as traditional holiday cards — sometimes, even more so.

Here are a few I really love.

I love the optimistic message and bright colors in this Best Is Yet To Come card by Tiny Prints. It’s the kind of card you keep — maybe use it as a bookmark? I also love their Bright Light Box card, shown at very top, designed by Umbrella for Tiny Prints. Bright colors seem like the perfect way to welcome a new year.

For the traditionalists out there, champagne and New Year’s Eve are a perfect match. Order this card from Paper Culture, as with all their cards, and the company plants a tree for your order.

Leave it to an Etsy artist to cleverly flip 2012 to create a happy heart in the center. For $20 bzdesignstuff will customize your card and send you a digital file so you can print the cards yourself.

More bright color, this time in a beautiful two-sided New Year’s Card from Hello Lucky.

A simple message meets bold design in this handsome card found at MyPublisher.

I love the crafty sensibility in this New Year’s Card designed by Simplete Design for minted, and I really love the interior timeline option — what better way to welcome 2012 than by celebrating the best moments of 2011? –Roxanna