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In America most people know that the most popular new years eve/day tradition is the ball drop in Times Square. It is a countdown to the new year and it is down every year.

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Each year, billions of people around the globe gather together to celebrate the coming of the new year. Across the United States, many celebrate by popping champagne and counting down the seconds until the clock strikes midnight. Check out some of the popular traditions you might come across with American New Year's Eve celebrations!

Watching the "Ball Drop" in Times Square

Every year, about two million people gather in New York City's Times Square to watch the famous "ball drop." This tradition began in 1907 with a 700-pound ball that was slowly lowered down a pole until it reached the ground at midnight. Today, ball is 11,875 pounds and covered in sparkling Waterford crystals. For all of those unable to witness this annual tradition in person, the ball drop is broadcasted both nationally and internationally, with about one billion people worldwide crowding around their TV screens to count down the seconds until the ball reaches the ground in time to usher in the new year!

After counting down the seconds to midnight, many share a special New Year's Eve kiss! The tradition stems from the belief that kissing someone at midnight will prevent loneliness during the coming year and ward off evil spirits!

This popular tradition is infamously short-lived for many participants! That's not to say we shouldn't all strive to achieve a goal or to change our habits in the New Year. Many decide to set goals for themselves, such as staying fit and healthy, or spending more time with family and friends. No matter how it goes, it's always fun to see how long you can make your resolutions last!

Hoppin' John is a popular Southern dish of black-eyed peas, pork, and rice, eaten on New Year's Day to bring good luck. The black-eyed peas are thought to symbolize coins. As a result, legend has it that eating this dish will bring prosperity and a year of good luck. The source of this dish can be traced back to slavery and the slave trade, and may stem from West African dishes.

This Scottish ballad penned by poet Robert Burns is a popular tune for Americans on New Year's Eve. Despite being written over two hundred years ago, it quickly became associated with New Year's Eve in the United States when a performance by singer Guy Lombardo and his band was broadcasted nationally 1929. Hollywood ran away with it, and the song soon became synonymous with the holiday!
Vocabulary

1. Ball Drop: The "ball drop" refers to the New Year's Eve celebration in New York's Times Square that features a large ball sliding down a pole until it reaches the ground at midnight

2. (To) Ward Off (Evil Spirits/Danger/Illness/etc.): This verbal phrase refers to preventing something terrible from happening

3. Short-Lived: Refers to something that lasts only a short amount of time

4. Hoppin' John: A dish in the Southern United States consisting of black-eyed peas, pork, and rice. Eating this dish on New Year's Day is thought to bring good luck.

5. Rumor/Word/Legend Has It: This idiom refers to popular beliefs that may not be true

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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American New Year's Eve Traditions - America House Kyiv

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Each year, billions of people around the globe gather together to celebrate the coming of the new year. Across the United States, many celebrate by popping champagne and counting down the seconds until the clock strikes midnight. Check out some of the popular traditions you might come across with American New Year's Eve celebrations!

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Another quit popular new years tradition is the rose parade, this is more popular in the west coast because it is held in Pasadena, California, along with the Rose Bowl game. The Tournament of roses has been held for more than 130 years.

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2019 ROSE PARADE THEME - THE MELODY OF LIFE

"The Melody of Life" celebrates music - the universal language.

Music has the power to not only bring us together but take us back to memories and moments as nothing else can. From the sweep of a conductor's baton to a simply whistled tune, music is woven into the fabric of our lives, community, family, friendship, and love. Music heals us. Defines us. Reminds us, and inspires us to be our greater selves. Rhythm, melody, harmony, and color all come together to create the soundtrack that defines our lives.

2019 GRAND MARSHAL - CHAKA KHAN

Singer, songwriter, and philanthropist Chaka Khan was announced today as the 2019 Grand Marshal by Tournament of Roses® President Gerald Freeny. Chaka will ride in the 130th Rose Parade® presented by Honda, themed "The Melody of Life" and join in the pre-game celebration of the 105th Rose Bowl Game® presented by Northwestern Mutual both are held on January 1, 2019. As an added bonus for millions of viewers around the world, Chaka is scheduled to perform in the parade's Opening Spectacular.

Chaka is one of the most celebrated musicians with a rich musical legacy. As a singer, songwriter, actor, author, philanthropist, and entrepreneur, Chaka has influenced generations of entertainers. She has the rare ability to sing in seven music genres, including R&B, pop, rock, gospel, country, world music and classical. Affectionately known around the world as Chaka, she is respected by millions of fans as well as her peers for her timeless, classic and unmatched signature music style and ability. Throughout her legendary career, Chaka has released 22 albums and ten #1 Billboard magazine charted songs. However, the song that propelled her to stardom was the 1984 chart-topping, GRAMMY® award-winning song, "I Feel For You," written and first performed by Prince.

Despite her busy schedule, Chaka has always made time to support and uplift her community. In 1999 she established the Chaka Khan Foundation which educates, inspires and empowers children to achieve their full potential. Through the Chaka Believes Program, the foundation gives children in Los Angeles who are at risk, either through poverty or through health issues like autism, the ability to achieve their dreams and give back to the community.

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THE ROSE PARADE - AN ICONIC TRADITION The Rose Parade begins at 8:00 AM PST on January 1, 2019, in Pasadena, California, USA. For millions of people around the world, the Rose Parade is an iconic New Year's Day tradition. The Rose Parade travels 5 ½ miles down Colorado Blvd.

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In Japan, when the clock strikes midnight, Buddhist temples throughout Japan their "Bonsho",  or temple bells.

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New Year's has always been an important holiday in Japan. It's a chance for families to not only reflect on the past year and their dreams for the future but also to spend time together, catch up, cook, eat, and play games. Discover both modern and traditional Japanese New Year's traditions.

Joya no kane

Every year at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, Buddhist temples all over Japan ring their bonsho (temple bells) an even 108 times, an event known as joya no kane. This number represents the number of human desires, which according to the Buddhist faith lead to pain and suffering. Joya no kane is a ritual meant to drive away these negative emotions from the past year.

Toshikoshi soba

Toshikoshi soba, or year-end soba, is a dish of noodles in hot broth traditionally eaten on New Year's Eve. It's a simple meal usually enjoyed at home with family or friends. There's no set recipe for toshikoshi soba; therefore, everyone can add their own little twist to the dish.

O-sechi ryori

O-sechi ryori is the New Year's Day feast. Each element of the dinner is intended to invite luck, prosperity, and good health for the new year. This annual tradition once required days of meticulous planning and preparation, but luckily, people can purchase premade o-sechi in advance from department stores and restaurants.

Mochi

Mochi, a type of chewy rice cake, is a classic Japanese New Year's food. These little round cakes are even used in certain New Year's decorations, such as the kagami mochi. A very traditional New Year's activity is preparing the mochi yourself on New Year's Day. Making mochi requires a lot of time and effort though, so most people are happy to buy premade versions.

Nenga

Nenga are New Year's greetings. Sending nenga greeting cards to friends and family is a very popular New Year's tradition. So at this time of year in Japan, the post office makes a special effort to ensure everyone's nenga are delivered on New Year's Day.

Hatsumode

During the first few days of the new year, many people head out for hatsumode, the first shrine visit of the year, to pray, make wishes, express gratitude, and stock up on lucky charms. Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines are lively on this day, with snack vendors and stalls giving the occasion a festive atmosphere.

Hatsuhinode

Hatsuhinode is the first sunrise of the new year. People gather on mountaintops, observatories, beaches, and anywhere else with a good view of the horizon to catch the hatsuhinode and pray for good fortune and happiness in the coming year.

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New Year's has always been an important holiday in Japan. It's a chance for families to not only reflect on the past year and their dreams for the future but also to spend time together, catch up, cook, eat, and play games. Discover both modern and traditional Japanese New Year's traditions.

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In Canada, New years is held by having big party's involving drinking, singing, and eating until dawn.

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The first day of the Georgian calendar, i.e. January 1 is celebrated as New Year in the North American country of Canada. New Year Day is observed as a legitimate holiday in the whole of Canada. In case, if New Year Day falls on any of the day of a weekend, then the very next weekday is allotted as a substitute public holiday.

New Year Celebrations in Canada

New Year is considered to be an important time by the Canadian people, and therefore, grand preparations go into organizing mush grander New Year celebration events.

Prior to the day of the New Year, i.e. on the occasion of New Year Eve's, small as well as big parties are organized all around the Canada, which go on till the early morning of the New Year Day. Apart from social parties organized in club, bars, and discotheques, people also organize private parties at home in which all near and dear ones are invited. These parties are bursting with great music, great dishes, and vibrant drinking options on the feast. Everyone eat, drink, sing, and dance all through the night till the dawn to mark a grand welcome to the coming time of the New Year.

Party culture is more prominent and visible in the urban part of Canada. People living in rural areas celebrate more of a traditional New Year. People living in the rural part of Canada, and particularly in the Canadian province of Quebec, usually go out with their friends near a pond or a river for ice fishing on New Year's Eve. They spend the entire night together while ice fishing and celebrating New Year. The long night parties leave little for everyone to hold anything on New Year Day, and therefore, it is mostly spend in resting and recovering. However, some people prefer to plan a picnic to nearby panorama, popular markets, or a tourist place. However, tradition of bursting fireworks is something which is enthusiastically and evenly followed in both the urban and the rural part of Canada.

Other New Year Celebrations in Canada

Some of the most extraordinary crafted show of fireworks occurs in the major cities of Canada including Montreal and the capital city of Ottawa, where technology driven fireworks are blown off as soon as the midnight brings New Year on its rucksack. These firework shows are enthusiastically awaited by everyone. People from distant places come and participate to be a part of such extravagant celebration affairs. They are well complemented by the great music, which is served during the entire night by prominent deejays, musicians, singers, and different bands of the country and the world. These celebrations draw thousands and millions of people from around the globe. With the moment of the arrival of New Year, everyone wish each other, and spiritedly pray for a peaceful and pleasant time ahead. Other than these, there has been an increased trend of organizing sports events, magic shows, and special cultural programs on the occasion. Among sports centered events, the adventurous winter sports of snowboarding and skiing draw maximum visitors.

Traditional New Year Celebrations in Canada

There are few customs and traditions which are rigorously followed with a belief that they bring good luck, peace, and prosperity to everyone. One such belief calls for going for a polar bear swim on New Year. There is also a tradition of clapping and roaring at the time of midnight when New Year arrives in Canada. It is done with a belief that it sways away all the past evils and negative energies. In Canada, kissing is considered to be a traditional way of showing love and conferring wishes to someone, and also a way of strengthening pleasant ties with people. Therefore, people in Canada prefer to kiss and wish Happy New Year in the midnight. Also, exchanging New Year gifts is also a way of expressing New Year wishes in Canada.

First footing tradition is also prominently followed in Canada, as a part of which a male and preferably a young person is expected to enter the household on the midnight of New Year. Other than that, consuming a bowl of black-eyed pea soup, collecting coals from hearth in the midnight, visiting friends' place in early hours of New Year, etc. are other prominent New Year customs, which are still followed by almost everyone in Canada.

More New Year Traditions

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New Year in Canada - Traditions and Customs

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The first day of the Georgian calendar, i.e. January 1 is celebrated as New Year in the North American country of Canada. New Year Day is observed as a legitimate holiday in the whole of Canada. In case, if New Year Day falls on any of the day of a weekend, then the very next weekday is allotted as a substitute public holiday.

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In France, Most people turn on the Tv and watch the President speak about the past year and about the year coming.

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The end-of-year celebrations usually begin with a quiet dinner enjoyed among family and close friends. The meal tends to be the same as that enjoyed on Christmas Eve - the day when the French eat their main holiday feast - and, confusingly, both are known as le réveillon(another name for New Year's Eve is Le Réveillon du Nouvel An). It will be several courses long, and can take as many as four hours to consume. Caviar, oysters, foie gras, and goose are all popular dishes, and the champagne bottles will be popped open early in the day.

Partying at home

As in many countries, a popular way to bring in the New Year is with a party at home. Des soirées déguisées, or costume parties, are common at this time of year. Alternatively, guests might simply be expected to dress up for this special occasion - or se mettre sur son 31, as the locals would say. You can expect music and dancing, and perhaps even the public announcement of resolutions. However, the one thing you are guaranteed is an abundance of food. This is France after all.

Watching the presidential message

The television is usually packed with seasonal shows on La Saint-Sylvestre, but one transmission you absolutely have to tune into is the presidential address. Just as the Queen addresses her British subjects on Christmas Day, at around 8PM on New Year's Eve the President of the Republic speaks to the French people from the Palais de l'Élysée about the year past and the one to come. This will most likely be François Hollande's final vœux présidentiels so don't miss his last shot at national attention before the spring elections.

Partying in the street

If you aren't throwing or going to a house party, you have two options for a night out on La Saint-Sylvestre: either you pay extortionate prices for club entry or you join the thousands of people enjoying a free shindig in the city streets. In Paris, the three most popular locations are at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, and at the Sacré-Coeur in Montmartre. Unfortunately, municipal fireworks are no longer let off anywhere in the capital (this is reserved for July 14th). On the upside, public transport is running and free in most large cities to help everyone get home safely.

Making noise at midnight

Wherever you are, when the clock strikes midnight, the local custom demands that you make as much noise as possible. You can shout Bonne année!, you can scream wordlessly, you can sound a klaxon or a car horn, blast chanson songs at top volume, you can set off firecrackers - you can do pretty much whatever you like (keeping safety in mind) in order to make an absolute racket. The tradition probably derives from an ancient belief that loud noises would frighten off demons and evil spirits that were more threatening during the transition from one year to the next.

Kissing under the mistletoe

Whereas many might be used to kissing under the mistletoe, or gui, at any point during the festive period, the French usually reserve this for midnight on La Saint-Sylvestre. So, if you want a holiday smooch, be sure to equip yourself with a bunch of the parasitic plant (and strategically position yourself next to your chosen someone) before the hands approach the top of the clock.

Exchanging cards

Traditionally, the French have never been big on Christmas cards (though you can now find a decent enough selection in most gift and book shops) and instead send their messages of love and goodwill at New Year. These might be written on the morning of January 1st (through a punishing hangover in many cases) and exchanged with friends and family over lunch, or sent at any time during the year's first month.

Watching the parade

On New Year's Day, the Champs-Élysées remains pedestrianized and is the site of a major musical parade. It's not quite on the scale of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, but you can expect some spirited drumming and flag-throwing. You can join the thousands of people who line either side of the avenue to watch it go by or, alternatively, you can stay curled up on the sofa and watch it on television.

Giving étrennes

Another typically French custom is the exchanging of étrennes on New Year's Day. Traditionally, this would have been a small amount of money or candy given to children by the family. Today, it is more commonly used to describe the bonus given by people to those who regularly work for them, like cleaners, postmen, concierges, and garbage collectors - a bit like Boxing Day in the UK. January 1st can also be another excuse to give presents to friends - and receive them, of course.

Eating Galette des Rois on the Epiphany

In France, the holiday period extends on to January 6th, the day of the Epiphany. This religious celebration marks the day that the Magi (or Three Wise Men) presented their gifts to the baby Jesus. In homes, schools, and offices across the country, you'll find people tucking into a Galette des Rois (a cake of the kings) which contains one or more small plastic figurines - yes, it's a health and safety nightmare but it's also a beloved and delicious tradition, so be prepared! If one of these little kings is in your slice, and you manage not to choke on him, you get to don the crown provided.

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New Year In France: 10 Saint-Sylvestre Traditions

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The end-of-year celebrations usually begin with a quiet dinner enjoyed among family and close friends. The meal tends to be the same as that enjoyed on Christmas Eve - the day when the French eat their main holiday feast - and, confusingly, both are known as le réveillon(another name for New Year's Eve is Le Réveillon du Nouvel An).

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Here, The French president is talking about the past year, and what is expected in the New year.

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Vœux de François Hollande: "Faisons de 2016 une année de vaillance et d'espérance"

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In Russia, people eat black or red caviar to signify wealth

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Black & Red Caviar

This is one of the most important snacks during the Russian New Year and is usually served with butter, green salad and bread. Black caviar is sometimes served separately because it's pricier. Often served in beautiful silver or porcelain dishes filled with chipped ice lemon pieces, the caviar sandwich and dishes are symbols of wealth.

Olivier Salad

Oh, yes! Russians love an Olivier salad during the holidays, and especially on New Year's Eve and Orthodox Christmas. This locally famous salad consists of Russian sausage, eggs peas, cucumbers and potatoes and is dressed with mayonnaise.

Tangerines

Tangerines have been part of a traditional Russian New Year's table setting since Soviet times when it was hard to find imported fruits in USSR. It's not uncommon to see queues in the fruit section at supermarkets prior to the celebration.

Pickled Babushkas Cucumbers, Tomatoes & Garlic

It's not really Russian New Year's Eve without these savoury snacks. They go well with vodka and many local liquors, and they're all must-tries!

Champagne

Russians love champagne, especially on New Year's Eve. One of the most traditional family rituals is to prepare the bottle before midnight and have the TV on to enjoy the champagne while watching Russian president Vladimir Putin address the nation in front of the Spasskaya Tower at the Kremlin. Russians believe that drinking champagne within the first seconds of the new year will bring luck for the whole year. However, you must be attentive and open the bottle exactly when the clock strikes 12, and then make a wish immediately.

Vodka

No Russian celebration is complete without vodka, and it's quite clear why-this local drink is the most popular spirit during the holidays in the Russian Federation, Ukraine and Belarus. Vodka is usually served straight out of the fridge and goes well with caviar and pickled vegetables. Yummy!

Baked Duck with Apples or Pears

Duck courses are very common in all the parts of the Russian Federation, but many locals save the dish for special occasions, including New Year's Eve.

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7 Things Russians Eat to Celebrate the New Year

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This is one of the most important snacks during the Russian New Year and is usually served with butter, green salad and bread. Black caviar is sometimes served separately because it's pricier. Often served in beautiful silver or porcelain dishes filled with chipped ice lemon pieces, the caviar sandwich and dishes are symbols of wealth.

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In Germany, Most people like to eat sauerkraut to start their New years, for good fortune.

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Sauerkraut

To the rest of the world, the idea of eating sauerkraut in order to jump-start the cash flow in the new year seems utterly bizarre, or at least rather irrelevant. Not in Germany! Here, each shred of fermented cabbage signifies a bit of currency. Therefore, the more sauerkraut a person eats on New Year's Day, the better. In fact, many will take their first bites just as the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve. Just be sure to squeeze in the New Year's kiss before your good fortune halitosis sets in.

Pork

More often than not, sauerkraut is eaten alongside some pork. Roasted pork is the most common, but some will opt for pickled pig's feet or bratwurst instead. Traditionally speaking, the pig represents prosperity, heartiness, and good humor. Representing well-being, consuming this animal on New Year's Day is said to usher in some extra good luck for the year to come. This symbol has also been translated into a popular sweet treat, often featured as a dessert on New Year's Eve menus: the good luck pig. Made from marzipan, eating this adorable pink piglet will also do the trick as far as good fortune goes.

Lentils

Similar to the meaning behind sauerkraut, but perhaps a bit more convincing, the lentil represents good luck in the form of prosperity. Thanks to its flat, round shape, each lentil signifies a coin, so the more lentils one eats, the richer one will be in the new year. This tradition has been so widely accepted that eating a warm bowl of lentil soup on New Year's Eve is probably one of the most widespread and common things to do on this day. Be sure to finish the dish in its entirety, though - this will ensure that your pockets will always be filled with money.

Fondue

While in itself not technically linked to luck, the act of gathering with family and friends to wish them Prost Neujahr, Guten Rutsch, or Viel Glück, is certainly linked to channeling positive vibes and good cheer. In contemporary times, Germans have been known to gather in large groups to eat fondue or raclette, dipping skewers with meats, breads, and veggies in the communal pot or griddle. Sometimes, stones are heated and guests use their skewers to grill meat on them as well. This kind of meal is particularly common on New Year's Eve.

Salted bread

It is worth mentioning that monetary wealth is not the only form of prosperity Germans believe is worth protecting. To stave off times of hunger and nutritional scarcity, Germans in some regions, including that of Saxony, will leave a piece of bread sprinkled with salt underneath the tablecloth overnight as a means of warding off tough times in the future.

Seafood

For reasons linked to luck, Germans tend to avoid eating poultry on New Year's Eve. It is believed that poultry consumption on this day diminishes one's overall happiness in the year to come, as it flies away on the wings of the bird that was eaten. Carp is a common alternative here, most often eaten on Silvester. As with sauerkraut or lentils, each scale on the fish is said to represent a unit of money, and some believe carrying a scale around with them in the coming year will also add to their overall prosperity.

Pretzels

Finally, while many different sweet treats and baked goods are commonly eaten on Silvester and New Year's Day, pretzels steal the show. Woven into a myriad of different patterns - from the traditional twists to wreaths or braids - they represent infinity, unity and, of course, good luck. Also, if you're visiting Germany over the holidays, expect to stumble upon a loaf or two of Neujahrsbrot, a type of bread commonly gifted this time of year. It is similar to a pretzel in shape and dough, but is often baked to be fluffier and sweeter than your average pretzel.

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To the rest of the world, the idea of eating sauerkraut in order to jump-start the cash flow in the new year seems utterly bizarre, or at least rather irrelevant. Not in Germany! Here, each shred of fermented cabbage signifies a bit of currency.

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This past year i have learned a lot, I have learned what true Friends can and cant do, I've learned that to get better at something you cant just expect it, you have to work hard on what you want, you may not get what you want but someday somebody will appreciate your hard work.

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This year, i want to set higher standards for myself because i want to be successful so that my family can be proud of me and so that i can set a better example for my younger siblings.