Holidays New Year and Christmas. New Year and Christmas in Great Britain

In Wales, the back door releases the Old Year at the first stroke of midnight: it is then locked "to keep the luck in", and at the last stroke the New-Year is let in at the front.

It is commonly believed that New Year's Day is less important in England than Christmas. It is true in the southern and eastern parts of the country. However, even there, the welcoming of the New Year is growing in popularity, particularly among younger people who prefer to spend Christmas with kin, but New Year with friends. New Year's parties go all night through.

The most famous places of festivities are Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square in London where crowds of people greet the New Year with the linked-arm singing of "Old Lang Syne", kissing total strangers, blowing whistles and automobile horns and shooting firecrackers. Someone usually falls into the fountain in Trafalgar Square. Unfortunately for all these midnight celebrators, January 1st is not a public holiday in England.

In Scotland, New Years celebration is the greatest festival of the year, where it even has a special name, Hogmanay. Nobody, however, can successfully explain where this word comes from. After midnight people visit their friends. They carry cakes and spiced ale to wish their hosts a good year.

The first visitor, must bring a special present - a piece of coal - to wish good luck and warmth to the house. This is an old Scottish custom. The first footer may also bring a loaf of white bread and a bottle of whiskey, On entering he must place the coal on the fire, put the loaf on the table, and pour a glass for the head of the house, all normally without speaking or being spoken to until he wishes everyone "A Happy New Year". He may also carry a silver coin to wish wealth.

Topic translation: New Year in Great Britain

In Wales, the old year leaves through the back door at the first strike of the clock at midnight: then the door is locked “to keep out good luck”, and at the last strike the New Year is let in on the threshold.

New Year's Day in England is generally considered to be less important than Christmas. This statement is true for the southern and eastern parts of the country. However, even there, celebrating the New Year is becoming increasingly popular, especially among the younger generation, who prefer to spend Christmas with family and New Year with friends. New Year's celebrations last all night.

The most famous places for celebrations are Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square in London, where crowds of people ring in the New Year holding hands, singing "Old Lang Syne", kissing complete strangers, blowing whistles, honking car horns and setting off fireworks. Someone usually falls into the fountain in Trafalgar Square. Unfortunately for all those midnight revelers, January 1st is not a public holiday in England.

Celebration in Scotland. New Year's is the biggest holiday of the year, it even has a special name, Hogmanay. No one, however, can explain where this word came from. After midnight people visit their friends. They bring pies and spiced beer to wish the owners a good year.

The first visitor must bring a special gift - a piece of coal - to wish the house good luck and warmth. This is an old Scottish custom. The first guest may also bring a loaf of white bread and a bottle of whiskey. Upon entering, he must throw a corner into the fire, put bread on the table and drink a glass to the head of the family, usually without saying anything - and they don’t say anything to him until he has wished everyone a Happy New Year. He may also bring a silver coin with a wish for wealth.

New Year in Britain is celebrated on January 1, the first day of the first month as per the Gregorian Calendar. This day was officially declared as New Year’s Day in 1752.

New Year is the much awaited celebration for the people of Britain. Many people hold or attend parties in the evening to say goodbye to the old year and to welcome the new year. The past year is also thoroughly reviewed in the media, including television and newspapers.

The custom of exchanging gifts on New Year has become widely popular in Britain. Although this custom of exchanging gifts was originally done at New Year it is now transferred to Christmas. In England the children rise early on New Year so that they can make rounds to neighbors and singing songs. The children are given sweets, coins, apples and mince pies for singing.

New Year Traditions in Britain

The First-Foot

A very old custom of “first footing” is still followed in Britain. “First foot” is the first person to cross the threshold of a home on New Year’s Day and a bringer of good fortune for the coming year. Preferably the male visitor would be a young, handsome, dark-haired, healthy male. A blonde, a red-haired or a woman are not allowed to enter the house first as they are supposed to bring bad luck. This is because a dark-haired man in ancient times would have been regarded as a fellow Scotsman, and therefore to be considered safe, whereas a fair haired or headed red man could have been a Viking and therefore potentially a dangerous enemy.

But in some places the first-foot must always be a male who enters the house first, and the color of his hair doesn’t matter.

The first-foot was supposed to bring gifts of money, bread or cake, coal or salt as these were considered lucky. The bread and cake was to ensure that the household did not go hungry during the coming year, the coal was to ensure that the house would be warm throughout the year and the salt was said to bestow wealth, as salt used to be a rare and precious commodity.

Hogmanay

In Scotland the New Year celebrations are known as Hogmanay. Hogmanay is the Scot’s word for the last day of the year, 31st December and the partying can last right through to January 2nd, which is a Bank Holiday in Scotland. Hogmanay has its origins in pagan times, an ancient time when the people would hold festivals for the sun and fire in the middle of the winter, to help them go through the cold hard times and to encourage the warmth and the longer days to return in the spring

Up until the 1960’s, Hogmanay was a more important festival in Scotland than Christmas. On the day of Hogmanay, 31st December, traditionally the house would be cleaned throughout so that the New Year would be welcomed into a pristine, tidy home. It is regarded as very bad luck to welcome the New Year into a dirty and untidy house!

New Year Resolutions

New Year in Great Britain is also a time to make New Year Resolutions. A New Year Resolution is a commitment to change a habit or engage in a healthier lifestyle. Typical New Year Resolution’s include giving up smoking, losing weight, vowing to get fitter or saving money. However, many of these resolutions, made in a flush of alcohol and partying, are not kept for very long and are apt to be repeated year after year!

New Year Celebrations in Britain

New Year celebrations in Britain is a colorful affair and is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Midnight parties, lavish meals, champagnes, music, dance and fireworks are the important parts of New Year in Britain. It is the biggest night-out of the year.

Another important part of New Year celebrations in Britain is the biggest New Year parade. The parade starts at noon walking down the streets via Whitehall, Pall Mall and finishing in Berkley square. Musicians, dancers, acrobats, drums and other entertainers do a splendid job to make the event most distinguished one. Everyone present at the Berkley is openly invited to join the carnival and enjoy the festive occasion.

New Year Symbols

One of the most widely known symbols of New Year’s Eve is the image of the Clock Tower at the Palace of Westminster, in London, counting down the last minutes of the old year. The first chimes of Big Ben, the bell housed in the Clock Tower, in the new year are broadcast live on radio and television. This is followed by a spectacular fireworks performance, often centered on the London Eye, which is claimed to be the largest Ferris wheel in Europe.

New Year in Britain is celebrated on January 1, the first day of the first month according to the Gregorian calendar. This day became the official New Year's holiday in 1752.

New Year is one of the most awaited holidays for the British. Many people go to visit or receive guests to spend the Old Year and celebrate the New Year. The Old Year is also devoted to detailed reports in the media, for example, on television and in newspapers.

The custom of exchanging gifts for the New Year has become very popular in Britain. Initially, gifts were given for the New Year, and now - mainly for Christmas. In England, on New Year's Day, children get up early to have time to get around their neighbors and sing songs. Children are given candies, coins, apples and sweet pies for singing.

New Year traditions in Britain

First guest of the New Year

The very old tradition of the "first guest" is still alive in Britain. The “first guest” is the person who will be the first to cross the threshold of the house on New Year’s Day and will bring good luck in the coming year. It is advisable that he be a young, handsome and healthy man with dark hair. Blondes, redheads or women are not allowed to enter the house first in the New Year as it is believed to bring bad luck. This is because in ancient times a dark-haired man was likely to be a fellow Scot and therefore not a threat, while a blond or red-haired man was likely to be a Viking and therefore a potential enemy.

But in some areas, the main thing is that the “first guest” is a man, and hair color does not matter.

The “first guest” should bring money, bread or pie, coal or salt as a gift, as all this brings good luck. Bread and pie mean that there will be no hunger in the house in the coming year, coal means that the house will be warm all year, salt brings wealth, since in former times salt was a rare and expensive commodity.

Hogmanay

In Scotland, the New Year's holiday is called Hogmanay. Hogmanay is the Scottish word for the last day of the year, December 31st. Hogmanay celebrations can last until January 2; In Scotland it's a public holiday. The origins of Hogmanay are in the daytime times of paganism, when people celebrated the festival of the sun and fire in the middle of winter to help them get through the difficult time of cold and to encourage the warmth and long days to return in the spring.

Until the 1960s, Hogmanay was a more important holiday in Scotland than Christmas. On Hogmanay, December 31st, it was traditional to clean the entire house to welcome the New Year in a clean and tidy environment. It is believed that celebrating the New Year in a dirty house is a very big bad luck!

New Year's resolutions

In Britain, New Year is also a time for New Year's resolutions. A New Year's resolution is a commitment to quit a bad habit or start living a healthier lifestyle. Typical New Year's resolutions are to quit smoking, lose weight, start a healthy lifestyle, or save money. Unfortunately, many of these decisions made while under the influence of alcohol at a party don't last very long and tend to be made again year after year!

New Year celebrations in Britain

New Year in Britain is a colorful holiday that is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Nightly parties, lots of New Year's food, champagne, music, dancing and fireworks are all important components of New Year's celebrations in Britain. This is the most significant party of the year.

Another important component of New Year's celebrations in Britain is the big New Year's parade. The parade starts at noon and winds its way through the streets of London through Whitehall, Pall Mall and ending at Berkley Square. Musicians, dancers, acrobats, drummers and other artists try to make this event as bright and memorable as possible. Everyone in Berkeley Square is invited to take part in the carnival and enjoy the festivities.

New Year symbols

One of the most widely known symbols of New Year's Eve is the tower clock of the Palace of Westminster in London, counting down the last minutes of the old year. The first ringing of Big Ben, the bells on the clock tower, is broadcast live on radio and television in the New Year. This is followed by a huge fireworks display, usually around the London Eye, the largest Ferris wheel in Europe.

The first of January, New Year’s Day, is a big holiday in Scotland. Scottish people celebrate New Year's Eve in every family. Friends usually come on that day.

They have a good dinner. After dinner there are apples, other fruits, and different sweets to eat. Then all the family and the friends begin to play games and dance. Before twelve o'clock at night many people in the towns go out into the streets to dance and to sing songs.

In England New Year's Day is not a big holiday, it is not so popular. Very many people go to bed before twelve o’clock on New Year’s Eve. But some families celebrate this evening at home. At midnight they also go out into the streets and squares.

In London people go to the Trafalgar Square. In this square they see a great tree brightly decorated with little lamps. When the largest clock of London - Big Ben - begins to strike twelve, the people in the square join their hands and sing. They also wish a Happy New Year to each other. New Year is one of the favorite holidays for many people in Great Britain.

Translation

The first of January, New Year's Day, is a big holiday in Scotland. The Scots celebrate the New Year in every family. Usually friends come over on this day.

They have a good lunch. After lunch - apples and other fruits, as well as various sweets. Then all the family members and friends start playing games and dancing. Before midnight, many people in cities take to the streets to dance and sing songs.

In England, New Year is not such a big holiday, it is not so popular. Many people go to bed before twelve o'clock on New Year's Day. But some families celebrate this evening at home. At midnight they also go out into the streets and squares.

In London, people go to Trafalgar Square. In this square they see a large Christmas tree, brightly decorated with lamps. When London's largest clock, Big Ben, begins to strike twelve, people in the square join hands and begin to sing. They also wish Happy New Year to each other. New Year is one of the favorite holidays for many people in the UK.

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Topic: New Year Customs and Celebrations in the UK

Topic: Traditions of New Year celebrations in the UK

Every night, British people traditionally celebrate the final day of and the first day of the new one. They arrange parties and festivals to say good-buy to the old year, recollecting their achievements and welcome the new one making wishes that will hopefully come true.

Every night from December 31 to January 1, the British traditionally celebrate the last day of the current year and the first day of the new one. They organize parties and celebrations to bid farewell to the old year by remembering their achievements, and to welcome the new year by making wishes that they all hope will come true.

The last December calendar date is known as New Year's Eve. prefers to stay at home and have a celebration with their loved family members and close friends. Several minutes before the midnight bottles of sparkling champagne and other fizzing drinks are uncorked and all adults and children are getting ready to drink a traditional toast to the following year. They count every second down to the midnight, and when the clock points to twelve celebrants hug and kiss each other wishing many happy returns and a better new year soon after the! traditional fireworks are set off, everyone sings "Auld Lang Syne" holding each others hands. This New Year's song was created on the poem of Robert Burns, who is known all over the world as a famous Scottish poet. Many children stay up until early. morning and enjoy the celebration.

The last day of the calendar in December is known as New Year's Eve. Most of the British prefer to stay at home to celebrate the holiday with their beloved family members and close friends. A few minutes before midnight, bottles of sparkling champagne or other carbonated drinks are opened, and all adults and children prepare to raise their glasses for the traditional toast in honor of the next year. They count down the last seconds until midnight, and when the clock stops at the twelve o'clock mark, everyone in the celebration hugs and kisses and wishes them all the best for the new year! Soon after the traditional fireworks display, everyone sings "Auld Auld Time" while holding each other's hands. This New Year's song was created based on the words of Robert Burns, an outstanding Scottish poet known throughout the world. Many children stay up until the early hours of the morning and enjoy the celebration.

Nowadays has New Year’s celebrations in pubs or restaurants. They are mainly attracted by nice New Year decorations, tasty food and drinks, and a special entertainment program with lots of fun and loud music. Outdoor gatherings around the enormous New Year tree and firework displays are popular as well.

Nowadays, more and more people are celebrating New Year's Eve in pubs and restaurants. They are mainly attracted by the beautiful New Year's decorations, delicious food and drinks, and a special entertainment program with lots of entertainment and loud music. Open-air festivities around a huge New Year tree with fireworks are also very popular.

1 January is a bank holiday, so nearly everyone all over the UK stays at home and relaxes after an exciting celebration.

January 1st is a public holiday, so almost everyone in the UK spends it at home, relaxing after the wild celebrations.

There is an old belief in the United Kingdom that the first visitor appeared inside on New Year's Day several minutes after the midnight can bring the prosperity and luck for the nearest 365 days. is supposed to be a tall man with dark hair and pleasant -looking appearance. He usually brings a gift, which consists of a piece of coal, a loaf of bread and a bottle of Whiskey. The gift symbolizes warmth, prosperity and generosity. fireplace, a loaf of bread is put on the table and a glass of alcohol drink is passed to the main person of the family. The visitor wishes “Happy New Year” and leaves the house through the door the back side.

There is an old belief in Britain that the first person to enter a house in the New Year a few minutes after midnight can bring prosperity and good luck for the next 365 days. The first guest should be a tall, dark-haired man of good appearance. He usually brings a gift, which consists of a piece of coal, a loaf of bread and a bottle of whiskey. The gift symbolizes warmth, prosperity and generosity. The first visitor must remain silent until the coal is placed in the fireplace, a loaf of bread is placed on the table, and a glass of alcoholic drink is served to the head of the family. The guest says “Happy New Year!” and leaves the house through the back door.

A man with fair or red hair came in the house first may cause anger of the house owners, because he is associated with bad luck. It can be explained by the ancient times reality. Dark-haired Scotsmen protected their homes from Vikings, who were mainly blond or red-haired enemies.

A man with blond or red hair who comes into the house first can anger the owners of the house because he is associated with bad luck. This is explained by the realities of ancient times. The dark-haired Scots defended their homes from the Vikings, who were enemies, and they had predominantly blond or red hair.

Hogmanay means the last date of the year in Scottish language, so it is an equivalent to the New Year day. In Scotland the parties last until the second day of January, which is a day off in that country. The tradition of celebrating Hogmanay originates from pagan times, when people hold festivals to glorify the sun and flame in winter days. It helped them to overcome the difficulties of the cold and dark season and encourage sooner to come of spring with much warmer days and shorter nights.

New Year is the best of holydays. At New Year’s Eve always appears this strange expectation of something big, new and great. Joyful atmosphere is all around. Everybody is busy picking nice Christmas trees, presents and feasts for holyday table. It seems like fairytale since childhood.

Preparations for this celebration are starting early. Everything begins with general cleaning. Than rooms are decorating with beautiful toys, garlands, holiday lights and candles. But the most beautiful decorations are New Year and Christmas wreaths with conifer branches, bright ribbons and figures of angels.

Dishes on holyday table are always special. And the most important moment of celebration is coming of New Year with chiming clock. Last toll beginning marks of grand firework which may last for whole hour. Than all guests, relatives and friends, begin celebrations with dances and contests which last for the night whole. And the first thing to do at next is to check all presents.

It is best when whether at New Year is cold and snowy. Colorful lights are flashing in all windows. Everybody is celebrating and having fun. Apparently because New Year is mutual celebration it is so much fun to celebrate it.

Wonderful New Year's holiday (text translation)

New Year is the best of holidays. On New Year's Eve there is a strange anticipation of something big, new and wonderful. There is a festive atmosphere all around. Everyone is busy choosing Christmas trees, gifts and treats for the holiday table. Since childhood, this time has been like a fairy tale.

Preparations for the celebration begin early. The first stage is general cleaning, and then all rooms are decorated with beautiful toys, garlands and candles. But the most beautiful New Year's decorations are wreaths with pine branches, bright ribbons and angels.

Dishes on the holiday table are always special. And the most important moment of the celebration is the beginning of the New Year with the chimes ringing. The final chime of the bell signals the start of a spectacular fireworks display that can last for an hour. Then all the guests, relatives and friends, begin to have fun, dance and organize competitions. The holiday continues all night, and the first thing in the morning is to check the gifts under the tree.

It's best when the weather for the New Year is cold and snowy. Multi-colored lights in all the windows seem brighter and warmer. Probably the New Year is so fun because it is common to everyone.