When and how to celebrate New Year in America?

New Year's Eve, which takes place annually from December 31 to January 1, the American people originally adopted from their European neighbors. The popularity of the New Year holiday is not so great compared to Christmas, which the Catholics begin on December 25, but still, Americans always celebrate the change of the old year with a new one, noisily and merrily. The New Year is celebrated in large companies, at street carnivals, in clubs, at friendly parties. In contrast to the Russians, Christmas is considered a family holiday for Americans, while New Year is a public holiday event.

They have been celebrating the New Year in America since the 17th century, taking over the tradition of immigrants from Holland - it was they who first celebrated this holiday in New York. Now in the United States, New Year is considered an official public holiday, which takes place on the night of December 31 to January 1, that is, comes a week after Catholic Christmas.

The symbol of the New Year for Americans is a baby in a diaper. It is understood that this baby will grow all year and by the end of December will become a gray-haired old man who will give way to a new baby, and with the advent of the new year, the cycle of life will begin again. For a resident of America, the advent of the new year means the possibility of a new life. At this time, people plan for themselves various goals and tasks that they would like to accomplish in the coming year in order to improve their lives.

The epicenter of New Year's Eve festive events is Times Square in New York. It is there that the main Christmas tree of the country is established and television broadcasts about all the festive events taking place there. An interesting feature of the New Year's Eve celebration in America is the descent of the "Ball of Time". On the night of December 31, a minute before the start of the new year, he is lowered down the flagpole, and at exactly 00.00 he reaches his bottom mark, which marks the beginning of the holiday. This tradition was started back in 1907 and since then continues in the United States annually, delighting Americans and foreign tourists with its spectacularity. Every year, the design of the "Ball of Time" was improved, and it became more and more attractive, increasing in size.

Looking at New York, other states of the USA also adopted this tradition and began to lower the "Ball of Time" in their cities. Sometimes, instead of a bright ball, they use a large acorn, fruit, an animal figurine, a slice of cheese, a tennis ball and so on. This tradition today has spread throughout America and gives people New Year's good mood and hopes for a bright future.

New Year celebration is not complete without Santa Claus, only in America it is called Santa Claus. But since Christmas arrives on December 25th, already on these dates, right up to January 1, Santa Claus walk around the city streets and congratulate people on Christmas and the upcoming New Year. More important for Americans is the Christmas holiday - it is celebrated by all Americans, even those who are far from religious beliefs, in the family circle, for each person this is a very important and special date. But when the time comes for the New Year, the Americans also joyfully celebrate this event, going out into the streets of the city, merging into a merry crowd.

Christmas holidays in America begin on Christmas Eve, that is, December 24, on the eve of Christmas. Then, on January 1, the United States celebrates New Year, and on January 3, the whole country begins to live in the usual work schedule. On average, holidays last a little over one week.

Americans have decided to celebrate Christmas quietly, solemnly and within the family circle. For everyone, this is a calm and bright home holiday, when loved ones get together and enjoy communicating with each other.

This celebratory event can be quite noted in a club, in a casino, at a noisy party. Unlike Christmas, December 31 is not a day off for everyone, and in some states people continue to work as usual - theaters, restaurants, shops are open that allow you to spend this time outside the walls of the house. American youth loves the New Year holiday most of all, while older people prefer Christmas and rarely participate in New Year's festivities. In some particularly religious states, this holiday may not be celebrated at all, considering it a normal day.

And yet, for most Americans, New Year’s This is a fun time for celebrations. 2 hours before midnight on Times Square, a festive show begins - pop music stars perform, a grand laser show is organized, fireworks are thundering everywhere, as tinsel and confetti are pouring from the cornucopia.

A week before the New Year, you can meet Santa Claus on the streets and take a picture with him. This fabulous character creates a sense of celebration, but everyone receives the main gifts for Christmas, and on New Year people exchange small pleasant souvenirs. Santa Claus brings gifts and leaves them on the fireplace or window sill.Most often, he puts gifts in a special stocking or red sock.

The Christmas break, the so-called time from Christmas to New Year, is the most magical time of the year for America. The atmosphere of a fairy tale and a holiday is felt everywhere - houses and streets are very generously decorated with Christmas and New Year paraphernalia. A sea of ​​lights, luminous figures of elves, deer, gnomes can be seen in large numbers and at every turn. Americans are very fond of decorating their homes and streets. On each door of the house you can see a Christmas wreath entwined with ribbons, garlands of flowers, lights. Everyone wishes each other a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year - such inscriptions are replete with everywhere.

New Year's Eve Americans listen traditional address of the president to the nation with congratulations. Usually he sums up the results of the outgoing year and tells people about what plans for the new year they have to realize. On television and radio broadcasting these days, a Christmas selection of songs is heard, films with a festive Christmas theme are broadcast. On New Year's Eve, Times Square gathers up to a million people who go in person to see the descent of the "Ball of Time", the process itself is broadcast on television in America and even beyond.

By tradition, the Americans are singing an old Scottish song that evening called Good Old Time. It speaks of the good old days, of friendship and kindness. People are a little sad, saying goodbye to the passing time, and rejoice in the coming of the New Year.

Before the New Year’s celebration begins, the Americans organize a light dinner, but this evening they don’t cook a lot of food, like it was done at Christmas. That evening, on the table are snacks that are simple to prepare, a variety of sweets, fresh fruits. For dessert, housewives traditionally cook rice pudding or sweet cake. On New Year's Eve, American traditional spirits are sparkling wines, champagne, brandy or punch. As a snack, nuts, canapes, sliced ​​cheese or ham are placed on the table.

Preparation for Christmas in America begins in early December. One after another, large buildings, parks and squares dress up in a festive decoration, decorated with garlands of street and square lights. Decorated shop windows, cafes and restaurants contribute to the festive mood. On the central streets of cities, fluffy green spruces are set, which are also generously decorated with Christmas balls and garlands.

Long before Christmas and the New Year, Americans decorate their homes. The facades of buildings come to life under the garlands of lights, a Christmas tree lights its lights in the living room, a colorful Christmas wreath appears on the doors. People buy gifts and souvenirs to each other in advance, sew carnival costumes, and come up with entertainments for children.

Americans have their own traditions, which they follow.

• In the USA it is not customary to give expensive New Year gifts - at this time, people exchange small themed souvenirs with each other and congratulate with postcards. One of the components of the New Year holiday is preparation for it, so traditionally at the end of November, the assortment of shops begins to be full of all kinds of gifts and souvenirs with Christmas and New Year themes.
• Souvenirs Americans give each other generously - to relatives, friends, work colleagues, neighbors, acquaintances and even just strangers, with whom they were on the street under the beat of a clock on New Year's Eve.
• In America, charity is quite common. During the Christmas holidays, many philanthropists help people in need, and also transfer financial assistance and gifts to hospitals, shelters for the elderly and orphans.
• In the USA, there is a tradition of New Year's holiday processions and carnivals, the most popular of which are the “Pantomime Parade” and the “Rose Parade”. These are very colorful and spectacular events that are broadcast on TV channels and will be held on January 1. Costume groups take part in parades, car platforms decorated with flowers, ribbons ride through the streets, music, congratulations are everywhere, marching bands, horse parades, performances by artists, acrobats, clowns and so on can be seen.
• Traditionally, the day ends with a football match, which all Americans look forward to and attend, or watch on television.
• Another New Year tradition in America is kissing the first comer but this can only be done at the moment when the clock struck midnight on New Year's Eve. To the thunder of fireworks, such a kiss, according to the old legend, will surely bring good luck to the kissers and make the coming year happy.

New Year in America is celebrated on January 1, therefore On January 1 and 2, people rest, and from January 3 they go to work. These days public and private institutions and enterprises do not work, and transport operates in a special holiday mode. What sways on December 31, he is working in some states, but in Michigan, Wisconsin and Kentucky there are vacations on the same day. In total, non-working days in the USA last no more than 10 days, starting from December 24 - Christmas Eve.

In the New Year holidays, shops in America are happy with their customers, as these days are traditionally the most active for shopping. At this time, all outlets offer big discounts on their goods, in cities on the streets and squares Christmas and New Year fairs, bazaars are organized where you can buy any goods, including farm products. Most often, at this time, Americans buy souvenirs and sweets - gingerbread, honey candies, glazed nuts and so on.

See how the video celebrates New Year in America.