New Year traditions around the world

    New Year is one of the most favorite holidays for many people around the globe. But it turns out that  the ways to celebrate it vary from country to country. Many of them may seem very unusual and unfamiliar, but still there is one common trait that links together different nations and cultures. It is the expectation of a miracle which the coming New Year might bring.

     So what are some of the ways to celebrate New Year? I'll present to you some of them.

1. New Year traditions in Argentina.  

       A dream of every office worker may be to celebrate a New Year in Argentina. In the middle of the day streets get covered with layers of shredded paper. It is a local tradition to dispose of unneeded documents and magazines, newspapers and other paper. Also it is a great way to relieve stress. New Year's Eve people celebrate with the family and close friends with champagne opening at 12 am. Young people usually continue the night in various clubs.

2. New Year tradition of Spain.  

       On the eve of New Year at midnight there is a tradition in Spain - quickly eat 12 grapes, each grape for each blow of the chimes. 12 grapes symbolize 12 mounts and lots of luck in them. Local people gather in the squares of Barcelona and Madrid to eat grapes and drink Cava.

 
3. New Year traditions in Russia.

       The main New Year tradition is decorating the Christmas tree with toys and garlands. Another important New Year attribute is champagne - sparkling wine adorns almost all the New Year's table that night. You supposed to drink champagne with the first chimes. This custom is observed in different families in different ways: some just make a wish to themselves and drink sparkling wine, another observant go all the way: they write a wish on a piece of paper, burn it, put ash into the glass with champagne and drink this cocktail within 12 blows of chimes. And of course a New Year wishes come true, but it's believed that you can't talk about them to anyone.

       Another must-have holiday tradition is tangerines. Its roots goes back to Soviet Union time when tangerine appears on sale closer to New Year.

4. New Year traditions in Peru.

    For young Peruvian New Year's Eve is a very dangerous time. All because the unusual New Year tradition of this country. Girls at night are taking up the willow twigs and walk around the neighborhoods of the city. And her fiancé might be the young man who will be asked to take the twig.   

    Sometimes you can see a strange pair - the girl with a stick and a guy with a suitcase. Since, according to another Peruvian tradition, the one who will walk his neighborhood with a suitcase will go to travel in the coming year.

 5. New Year tradition in Greece. 

      In addition to gifts the guests bring stone - the more the better. To us it may seems strange, but in Greece it mean that the heavier the stone - the more money you will have in a coming year.

        According to another Greek tradition, the oldest member of the family should break a pomegranate on his yard. If pomegranate seeds scattered around the yard, the family expect a happy life in coming year.

6. New Year tradition in Japan.

        Greeting the New Year in Japan starts with 108 bells ring. Bells represent one of the six human vices: frivolity, stupidity, greed, anger, jealousy and indecision. But why 108, not 6? Because Japanese believe that every human defect has 18 shades, so ring the bells 108 times..

       To decorate their homes residents of Rising Sun include a specific decoration - "kadomatsu" meaning "pine tree at the entrance". They make it from bamboo, pine and rise straw. Children traditionally receive gifts.

Kadomatsu

7. New Year tradition in Denmark.  

      There is a tradition in Denmark for the New Year to get up on a chair and jump from him. It is symbol of "jumping" into january of the coming year, driving away evil spirit and bringing a good luck.

       At the same time the Danes follow another New Year's tradition - throwing to the doors of friends and neighbors broken dishes.. And no one is pissed off but quite happy:) Whoever got the most broken dishes near his door will be the most successful in the coming year.. Also it's mean that you have a lot of friends:))

8. New Year traditions in Poland.  

     Baking bread - one of the most important New Year traditions in Poland. Donuts that in Poland called - "Paczki" a good sign for New Year. Donuts bring prosperity.

        In Poland believe that if you will wake up early on the first morning of the New Year - all the year you will be up early. If you woke up and touch the floor with your right foot - is for happiness.

9. New Year traditions in Puerto Rico. 

      In this warm country in the New Year people throw a bucket of water. Thus Puerto Ricans get rid of all the bad and are preparing for the arrival of the best.

       Also good luck for the New Year will bring scattered around and in the house sugar.

       You can always find more information about this subject since it is so many countries and they all have their customs and traditions.