NEW YEAR

The Twelve Grapes The Twelve Grapes of luck is a Spanish tradition that dates back from 1909. Some vine growers started this custom of selling huge amounts of grapes a year that they got an excellent harvest. The tradition consists of eating a grape with each bell strike at midnight on December 31st. If you eat them all twelve up you will have a prosperous year.

Fireworks and Noisemakers The Chinese believe that if you make a lot of noise, that will keep the bad spirits away. American and French people have adopted this tradition as a way to celebrate the New Year. Everyone kisses, exchanges good luck, greetings, and toasts Champagne to the New Year.

New Year's resolutions New Year's Eve has always been a time to look forward to the coming year. It's a time to think of the changes we want to make in our life. Most of New Year’s resolutions are made in anticipation of the new year and new beginnings. However, these resolutions are seldom fulfilled. Friends and family exchange New Year's resolutions kisses and wishes.

Kissing under the Mistletoe The Druids considered the mistletoe a plant with miraculous properties and a protection against witchcraft. If enemies met under the mistletoe in the forest, they had to stop fighting until the next day. This is the origin of the custom of hanging a ball of mistletoe from the ceiling and exchanging kisses under it, as a sign of friendship and goodwill. Nowadays, if a couple in love kisses under the mistletoe, it is a promise to marry.

Red & Gold The red colour in Chinese culture means good luck. So red is just a symbol of good luck in the coming year. Golden colour is traditionally the colour used in imperial service. The golden colour symbolises wealth and also happiness. These colours are used in decorations, candle lights and shiny garlands.

What have you learnt? The 31st of December celebration is called… The 1st of January celebration is called… What is the most common drink to toast to the new year? In Spain they eat a grape with every bell … The spectacular effects of lights and explosions upon the sky are called… Druids thought that this plant had miraculous properties. Promises that people make on the last day of the year are called… What does Auld Lang Syne mean? What happens in Time Square every 31st of December? What does red colour symbolise for Chinese people?