For a fast seasonal refresh, start with Streamlabs’ New Year designs or browse StreamElements’ free Elements Gallery; for a coordinated set of scenes, alerts, and transitions, compare a year-specific package such as StreamSpell’s 2026 collection. The right choice depends on whether you need one festive frame or a complete package, what your broadcast software supports, and whether the design stays readable over your game and camera.
Which type of New Year overlay should you choose?
These options are different kinds of products, not interchangeable versions of the same thing. A seasonal library helps you find a ready-made look, a gallery lets you browse and customize designs, and a downloadable package may bundle assets for several broadcast moments.
| Option | What it offers | Best fit | Check before choosing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Streamlabs seasonal designs | Streamlabs’ New Year guide names New Year by Hexeum and Sparkle by SylphVisuals, describing celebratory animated details. Streamlabs says Ultra members receive access to its premium overlay vault. | A creator looking for a ready-made seasonal theme in the Streamlabs ecosystem. | The guide was originally published in 2022 and reports an update on March 30, 2026. Confirm the specific design is still available, whether it requires a paid plan, and whether it fits your setup. |
| StreamElements Elements Gallery | The gallery advertises free animated overlays and a visual editor. StreamElements documents adding an overlay to OBS using its URL as a browser source. | A creator who wants a free starting point or wants to customize an overlay. | Check whether an item is actually New Year-specific and whether its widgets and layout suit your broadcast. |
| StreamSpell 2026 packages | StreamSpell describes New Year packages with multiple assets and says they are compatible with OBS Studio, Streamlabs Desktop, and other platforms. | A creator who wants a coordinated look across several scenes and alerts. | Check current availability, price, license, exact software compatibility, and whether the year-specific artwork still suits the upcoming celebration. Compatibility and contents are StreamSpell’s claims, not independent test results. |
Compare candidates on four practical points: free versus paid access; visual style, animation, and readability at your stream resolution; package completeness; and compatibility with your actual broadcast software. Available sources do not establish comparative rendering performance, CPU or GPU load, or viewer engagement, so there is no evidence-based winner on those measures.
How to choose an overlay that works on stream
Decide whether you need a frame or a full package
If you only want a seasonal border or a few animated accents, start with an individual overlay. If you are planning a countdown, a live scene, a celebration at midnight, and breaks, a matching package can keep those scenes visually consistent. Check whether the package includes the specific screens, alerts, or transitions you need rather than assuming every collection includes them.
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#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
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Protect readability
Preview the design at the resolution you plan to stream. Keep decorative animation away from gameplay details, captions, and the face camera; make sure any countdown remains legible against the scene beneath it. These are practical selection checks, not claims that a particular vendor’s design performs better.
Check timing and licensing
For a timed countdown, verify which time zone the countdown uses and test the changeover before the event. For downloaded assets, read the seller’s license and setup directions, and confirm that the asset is still appropriate if its artwork is tied to a particular year.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
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How to add a New Year overlay in OBS
For a StreamElements overlay
- Choose an overlay in the StreamElements Elements Gallery and customize it if needed.
- Copy the overlay URL using StreamElements’ instructions.
- In OBS Studio, open the scene where the overlay should appear, add a Browser source, and enter the overlay URL as its address.
- Size and position the source in the scene, then preview it with your game capture and camera. Confirm that the overlay is visible and does not cover important content.
StreamElements’ documentation describes overlays as being rendered through a browser source. If the overlay does not appear, check that the URL was copied correctly and that the source is in the intended scene.
For Streamlabs designs or downloaded packages
Streamlabs says its overlay setup flow lets users browse the library, search by keyword and filters, then add an overlay in Streamlabs Desktop or OBS. The exact steps can depend on the design and software. For a downloaded package, use the seller’s own setup instructions; do not assume its files, source types, or compatibility match another package.
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Test the event sequence
Before going live, preview the countdown, live scene, and celebration scenes in order. Check that the countdown targets the intended time zone, that animated elements behave as expected, and that the scene remains readable with your actual game or camera visible. A Stream Deck is optional: Elgato documents OBS controls for scene switching and media-source control, but a keyboard shortcut or controller you already own may be sufficient.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Or let it run in the cloud
StreamNeo is a YouTube-only cloud service for keeping uploaded videos live as a 24/7 stream; it is not an overlay library or a way to go live from a camera. If your New Year plan also includes looping prerecorded video on YouTube, you upload the recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. Nothing has to stay on at home; uploaded video streams as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot; and StreamNeo automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The first day is free with no card. Monthly billing is $9.99 per month. Learn more at StreamNeo, or start the free day.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
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