New Year in the US: how to celebrate without Olivier?

In the world there are not so many holidays that really unite people around the world. And it is not surprising that every country has its own peculiarities of celebrating even the seemingly most universal dates. Somewhere, for example, on January 1, it's common to throw out all old things, but in other countries people sincerely believe that it's enough just to get together at the table to celebrate the coming of the next year. America - a country that has mixed a huge number of different cultures, borrowed something really interesting and unique for every people living in it.

What is the New Year in the US: how do they celebrate what they eat and what they want? Let's try to find out.

History

To begin with, you need to find out how the New Year celebration began in the United States. In Europe, the tradition to celebrate the beginning of a new year of January 1 appeared at the end of the sixteenth century, with the introduction of the Gregorian calendar. Over time, the new method of reckoning came conservative Britain, which later imposed on him all his colonies, among which was modern America. Already at that time no one could give a specific answer to the question "New Year in the United States - how to celebrate?" Everyone knew that this day it was necessary to have fun, but still there were no specific traditions for the colony.

Customs and traditions

Now the situation has changed a little. Appeared its own, nothing like the New Year in the US, the traditions associated with this amazing holiday, a certain symbolism of the beginning of the next year.

Firstly, not only streets of cities are decorated, but also apartment houses, and their residents do it. Perhaps this tradition can be more attributed to Christmas, which in Western countries is considered a much more important holiday.

Secondly, the "baby in the diaper." Quite an interesting custom, proposed for the query "New Year in the US as celebrated?". In America, it is believed that every year is a baby, which for twelve months gradually grows up. So it turns out that the symbol of each coming year in the States is a small child.

Third, a ball with Times Square. From the beginning of the twentieth century in the center of the square a minute before midnight begins to drop a huge glowing ball, touching the bottom point at the beginning of the New Year. It can be compared with the well-known in Russian speaking countries chimes: the gradual decrease of the ball is broadcast on TV, and the last ten seconds to the end point counts down the entire Times Square.

Fourth. No culinary traditions. In America, they are not bought with mandarins, they do not cook certain dishes - everything is as people themselves want. The only almost obligatory attribute of the holiday is champagne, and you can ate it with lobsters, at least cheap pizza.

Fifthly. Gifts and discounts. Nobody obliges people to give presents to each other this day, this is more a sign of attention, but still many shops arrange holiday sales, which spend millions of dollars. Presented under the "Christmas tree" - this is how the English-speaking countries call the Christmas tree.

For people

And what about the traditional parades in the New Year in the US? How do ordinary people celebrate the beginning of the year?

In every city there are actions, concerts, various social events dedicated to the beginning of the year. Usually all this happens on the eve of the holiday. It should be noted that in America, the New Year is considered a home holiday, so if you go to the parade, it's necessary for the whole family. On television on this day, movies of the New Year theme are shown, various postal services offer a huge number of electronic greeting cards and gifts - in principle, everything is the same as ours.

But the remains of Christmas decorations make the New Year in the USA (photo of amazingly beautiful streets, shops and apartment houses really fascinating) one of the brightest calendar holidays.

Once again

It's no wonder that Christmas is more popular than the New Year in the US. The traditions of the first holiday are richer, the second only means the change of the number on the calendar. But it is on this day that most Americans are going to start a new life, make a list of promises to themselves and loved ones, plan next year.

Of course, if everything is done new - another question, but still people are trying. And most importantly, they sincerely wait for each New Year in order to try to be a little bit better.