January first marks the beginning of the New Year for most of the world. On the last night of the year, Dec. 31, people gather for parties and other festivities. They stay up late and “ring in the new year” with friends and family. Traditionally, at the stroke of midnight, as the old year ends and the New Year begins, people throw confetti, cheer and offer a kiss to someone they care about.
For many the start of a new year is about more than numbers changing on the calendar. It is a time of reflection and setting goals. Many people make a list of things they want to accomplish in the New Year. These are resolutions. They usually involve things like choosing to eat healthier or exercise more or to save more money.
In America, we celebrate the New Year on January 1. In Nepal, the New Year falls in mid-April. The holiday is known as Navavarsha, which is based on Nepal’s lunar calendar called Nepal Sambat. Because the calendar is lunar, it centers on the cycles of the moon, so the first day of the Nepal Sambat usually falls between April 11 and 15. The Navavarsha is one the many festivities of Nepal celebrated with parades, parties, family gatherings and a lot of food.
Because this is also a religious celebration, people spend the morning hours in prayer and visit the temples to worship.
There are many interesting New Year’s traditions that people practice in different parts of the world. In Colombia, people who hope to travel during the coming year carry empty suitcases around the block.
In Denmark, it is common for people to welcome the new year by standing on chairs and then jumping off them at midnight at the same time. This is supposed to bring good luck. In Stonehaven, Scotland, there is always a bonfire on New Year’s Eve. As part of the celebration, townsmen walk through town swinging poles with giant fireballs on the end of them.
Round shapes are considered lucky in the Philippines. They represent coins and are considered lucky. On New Year’s Eve, many families have big displays of round fruits set out. Some families eat exactly 12 round fruits at the stroke of midnight.
