Home » Festivals » New Year The New Year is celebrated worldwide and is one of the biggest events to take place in the world. This is the time when people celebrate the end of a year and the commencement of another. Most people celebrate on the Eve with much pomp and glory. It is mostly celebrated with fireworks when the midnight strikes. According to the Julian calendar January 1 corresponds to the Gregorian calendar’s January 14th. Hence till date some of the churches of the Eastern Orthodox celebrate the New Year. Some churches observe the Feast of the Circumcision of Christ on this day. There are different types of traditions followed across the world on the eve and on the day. Celebrating this day can be fun. You have different ways and means to celebrate and enjoy and party. But there are many cities and regions where this celebration takes place according to their calendar and not by the normal calendar.

New Year Traditions

There are different kinds of customs and traditions intertwined with the celebrations. This is special to their country or region and the people take great pleasure in the activities which they participate in. The traditions are unique and exclusive and very interesting. Some of the traditions are:

• Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia, celebrate by gathering on beaches and running into the water and celebrating the beginning of a year. These are known as the polar bear plunges.
• An extra round of football is played in Britain to mark the beginning of a year.
• Hindus celebrate the beginning of a year by seeking their elder’s blessings.
• A parade is held on this day in London to observe the commencement of another year.

Other New Year Celebrations

There are different ways and means by which people all across the globe celebrate the next year. The celebrations are of different kinds. Be it in any part of the world each celebration is special in its own ways. Each country has own New Year celebration on different days. For example:

• The Bengali’s celebrate on the April 14. This day people celebrate by seeking the blessings of the elders.
• The Chinese New Year occurs on the new moon of the first lunar month. It can fall between January 21 and February 21.
• The Telegu celebrate during the month of March or April.
• The Punjabi’s celebrate on the 13th or 14th of April.
• The Balinese New Year is popularly known as Nyepi and is on Bali’s lunar New Year. This day is celebrated not by fun and enjoyment, but it is a day of fasting and meditation.

New Year Decoration Ideas

The New Year means that it is time to have fun and party. It is the time to let go of the past and look ahead for a bright new future. The coming year hold new promises and hopes which is very exciting for the people. People herald the coming year with much zeal, vigor and enthusiasm. One of the integral parts of the celebrations is decorating your house or office. You can do so by different innovative ways.

• Decorate your house with tiny colored lights as this looks wonderful from outside.
• Make your party special by adding some unique decorative pieces which can be purchased from the store or hand made.
• Candles can be a very beautiful attractive piece which you can use to enhance the beauty of your surroundings. There are different types of unique candles which can be purchased from the stores.
• Flowers can also be used to give your house or office a whole new look. During this time different types of decorative pieces are available in the shops which you can use to give your surrounding a look which is absolutely brilliant.

New Year Food Ideas

This time is celebrated with great enthusiasm and gusto. It is the time to enjoy and make merry. The dinners are cooked with great care and are a huge celebration. Exotic and elaborate meals are prepared for the occasion. Some popular food items which are made and consumed on the day or on the eve of that day are:

• Cakes and different other baked goodies are made on this day. Chocolates, pastries are also common sweet delicacies which are offered on this day.
• Different types of pork dishes are made for dinner. Roasted pork or pork chops are some of the common items which friends and family prepare when celebrating on the special day.
• Apart from the food items beverages such as punch, cocktails, and wines are consumed to celebrate this special day.

New Year Gift Ideas

During the celebrations the retailers cash on as people crowd at the stores to buy different kinds of things to give to their near and dear ones. The stores stack up a variety of items for the New Year as people always want variety. It is the time for giving and sharing and merry making. You can consider some of the following items to be gifted for the special occasion.

• Cakes can be a great food item which is liked by all. You can gift this also to your close ones. You can buy it or may be bake it on your own to give it a personal touch.
• Flowers are always good be it any occasion. So go ahead and gift your loved ones a beautiful bouquet.
• Cassettes and CD’s can be a great gift if you are gifting someone who is a passionate lover of music.
• Jewelry is always welcome when you are gifting someone. Especially when you are gifting your loved ones. A small gold or diamond pendant can be absolutely marvelous.
• Decorative showpieces, diaries or even nice pens can be good for gifting on New Year.