New Years’ Eve is not only the end of an old year, but the start of a new one, a new year to do new and better things.
Every year, on December 31, people around the world stay up until midnight for the countdown till the New Year. It can be a very emotional time, a happy moment or a reflective opportunity.
New Year’s Eve is a very exciting holiday. Different countries celebrate it in different ways. The most common ways of celebrating include fireworks, family and friends gathering together, food, and, of course, staying up until midnight and counting down until midnight.
This is generally a time of celebration as well as a time for New Year’s Resolutions.
Many people make their resolutions based on things they want to achieve or things they want to change or do differently.
In Spain, for instance, it’s a tradition to eat twelve grapes during the countdown because it symbolizes hope for the new year. In Japan, New Year’s Eve is a government holiday.
People in New York celebrate New Year’s Eve in Time Square where a big countdown is held.
As the time counts down, we can look back the memories with family, friends, and significant others. It’s a great time to appreciate everyone and everything we have and achieve new great things.
When midnight strikes, it is time to consider the festivities of New Year’s Day, which comes with a lot of events, including the start of the resolutions and, of course, the Rose Parade in Pasadena.
New Year’s Day actually began being celebrated with the early Babylonians, although they planned it at the beginning of spring to welcome new growth, rather than in January.
Austria, Cuba, Portugal, the Czech Republic, and other countries use food as a significant sign of a New Year, often times pork because in some cultures pigs represent progress and prosperity.
In Sweden and Norway, rice pudding with almonds represents a full year of good fortune.
Whatever the celebration, because of the late night and fun traditions, it is often followed by a late morning and an immediate breaking of resolutions.