Celebrating New Year's In 4 Different Countries

“10, 9, 8, 7, 6...” chanted Emma with her family, as they celebrated the last few seconds

of 2024. The iconic Times Square Ball Drop took place, and millions of people across

New York celebrated New Year’s Day.

New Year’s Day, or 1st January, is the much awaited start of the new year. It’s the

ultimate new beginning, as people make resolutions and try to turn a new leaf. In films,

we’ve watched people celebrate and carry forward all sorts of traditions. In this article,

let’s explore how 4 countries across the world celebrate the New Year.

The US sees a large variety of traditions carried out. In New York, millions of people

watch a crystallised ball fall to mark the start of the new year. On New Year’s Eve, people

gather for parties, watch fireworks, and count down to midnight. On New Year’s Day,

families often relax and enjoy traditional foods such as black-eyed peas and greens for

good luck. The Rose Parade in California is another highly celebrated event taking place

on New Year’s. Speaking of New Year’s, I told my calendar a joke on January 1st. It

didn’t respond, I guess it needed to process the date (Yeah, that sounded better in my

head).

Mei is a young Chinese girl. On January 1st, her parents get a rare day off, so she enjoys

spending time with them. They get a steady stream of wishes. “Xian Nian Kuai Le

(Happy New Year)!” everyone says. Mei enjoys New Year’s Day, as she gets to watch

fireworks. January 1st is relatively low-key compared to Chinese New Year, but Liuyang,

where she lives, stages dazzling fireworks. The biggest and most important festival for

the Chinese is the Lunar New Year, or Chinese New Year, which involves traditional

customs, family reunions, red decorations, and days of festive activities. So while

January 1st is acknowledged, it's a very low-key holiday.

Moving on to Russia: Alexei, a high-schooler, lives with his two younger sisters, parents,

and grandparents. His extended family is very close, and they celebrate all important

festivals together. One of these festivals is New Year’s Day. In fact, in contrast with

China, New Year’s Day is one of the most important festivals in Russia. It’s Alexei’s

family’s favourite holiday, and they start preparing months in advance. Fun fact:

Russians decorate a New Year’s Tree, Yolka, instead of a Christmas tree. Alexei enjoys

New Year’s, but he does not really like the fact that most of the gifts received involve

new clothes. On New Year’s Eve, families gather for a big meal and count down to

midnight. At 12:00 AM sharp, the Kremlin clock chimes on TV, and people raise a toast,

make wishes, and watch fireworks.

Penelope lives in Greece, where two quirky New Year’s traditions make her wonder why

anyone would come up with them:

● At midnight, her grandmother smashes a pomegranate at the doorstep. She believes

that the more seeds that scatter, the more luck, prosperity, and fertility for the

household. Usually, the father is supposed to carry forward the pomegranate smashing,

but everyone is terrified of her grandmother. Ah well...

● Hanging an onion (kremmýdi) outside the door is also done by her grandmother. It

symbolizes rebirth and growth.

However, there are a couple of traditions which Penelope simply adores on New Year’s:

● In Greece, New Year’s Day, not Christmas, is the traditional day for exchanging gifts.

● She loves helping her older sister bake Melomakarona (honey-dipped cookies) and

Kourabiedes (almond shortbread). It’s a tradition for them.

One important tradition is the cutting of the Vasilopita (St. Basil’s Cake). It’s cut at

midnight or on January 1st. There’s a coin hidden inside. Whoever gets the coin in their

slice of cake is considered lucky for the year!

Though we may count down in different time zones, and celebrate in different ways,

New Year’s is a universal celebration of hope, renewal, and joy. However you celebrate,

the message is the same: fresh start, better luck, and brighter days ahead.

Written by: Zoya Mirza