New Year’s Day Around the World

New Year’s Day in the United States New Year's Day falls on January 1 st and marks the start of a new year. The start of New Year's Day, at midnight, is signaled by fireworks, parties and special events, which are often shown on TV. Very few people have to work on New Year’s Day. In some towns and cities, parades are held and special football games are played. The birth of the first baby in the New Year is often celebrated with gifts to his or her parents and appearances in local newspapers and on local news shows. Many people make New Year's resolutions. These are usually promises to themselves that they will improve something in their own lives. Common New Year's resolutions are to exercise more, live a healthier lifestyle, or to do better in school.

New Year’s Day in the United States

New Year’s in Scotland The New Year in Scotland is called Hogmanay. The people in Scotland follow an unusual ritual, but actually has a great significance. One can find barrels of tar set on fire and gradually rolled down the streets in the villages of Scotland. This ritual symbolizes that the old year is burned up and New Year is going to begin. Torch and bonfire ceremonies

New Year’s in Columbia In Columbia, families fill a life-size male doll with things and then they dress it up in old clothes from each family member. At midnight, this 'Mr. Old Year' is set on fire. This is done with the simple belief that a doll that is filled has bad memories or sadness associated with them, and that the burning of these will help one to do away with all past grief's and bring in happiness in life with the new year.

New Year’s in Turkey New Year's celebrations begin on December 31st. Most people have a special dinner with family and friends. The special dinner is usually a turkey feast. Sometimes, homes are decorated with pine.

New Year’s in Japan New Year’s Day in Japan is January 1 st and one of the most important holidays. Late on the evening of December 31 st, people of Japan would eat a bowl of buckwheat noodles called "toshikoshisoba" ("year-crossing noodles") and listen for the sound of the Buddhist temple bells, which were rung 108 times at midnight. The sound of these bells is said to purify the listeners of the 108 sins or that plague every human being.

New Year’s in Spain In Spain, people eat 12 grapes as the clock strikes midnight (one each time the clock chimes) on New Year's Eve. This interesting ritual began in the twentieth century when abnormal weather conditions resulted in a large harvest of grapes. Not able to decide what to do about so many grapes at Christmas time, the King of Spain and the grape growers came up with the idea of the New Year ritual.

New Year’s in Mexico In Mexico, people take a piece of luggage and walk around the house or the block on New Year's Eve to ensure that the new year will bring travel.

New Year’s in the Philippine’s Circles represent money and prosperity, so in order to make the new year true, Filipinos will wear polka dotted clothing, throw coins at midnight and place coins inside pots or pans and shake them around the house.

New Year’s in Greece New Year’s in Greece is on January 1 st and is also called St. Basil’s Day. To celebrate, Greeks bake a cake called vaselopita. Their tradition is to bake gold or silver coin inside the cake. The cake is sliced and passed out in this specific order: first slice to St. Basil, next for the house, then from the oldest to youngest members of the house.

New Year’s in Russia Russians use a fir tree for New Year's Eve, and children wait for Father Frost and Snow Maiden who bring gifts. Children enjoy decorating their fir trees.