New Year Festivites

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are traditionally times of great celebration that rings in the start of a brand new year. In America, the Gregorian calendar places the New Year on January 1st, but it is also noted as the beginning of the year in the Spring in other cultures, including China and Japan.

Regardless of the actual calendar date, what started long ago in Mesopotamia lives on in many ways:

The United States: New Year’s traditions are very general broad and most of them involve some sort of party. Traditions include watching the ball drop in Times Square (began in 1907). Get-togethers often involve food, drink and dancing, after which many pledge to do more of this and less of that in the coming 12 months.

Cuba: Celebrating focus more on food customs, such as eating pigs. This symbol of progress and prosperity signifies good luck for the approaching year.

Mexico: Much like in the United States, Mexico is known for holding huge New Year celebrations. The end of the year is supposed to be the end of one journey and the start of another. To close out the year that is ending, people enjoy ring-shaped cakes and pastries that represent coming full circle.

Norway: Families gather together and small children often go house to house singing special New Year songs. In turn, they receive candies and other goodies. Outdoor activities include firework displays.

Wherever you are in the world, bring in your New Year with joy and well-being.