In England the New Year is not as widely or as enthusiastically observed as Christmas. Some people ignore it completely and go to bed at the same time as usual on New Year's Eve. Many others, however, do celebrate it in one way or another, the type of celebration varying very much according to the local custom, family tradition and personal taste.

The most common type of celebration is a New Year party, either a family party or one arranged by a group of young people. This usually begins at about eight o "clock and goes on until the early hours of the morning. There is a lot of drinking, mainly beer, wine, gin and whiskey; sometimes the hosts make a big bowl of punch which consists of wine, spirits, fruit juice and water in varying proportions. There is usually a buffet supper of cold meat, pies, sandwiches, savouries, cakes and biscuits. At midnight the wireless is turned on, so that everyone can hear the chimes of Big Ben, and on the hour a toast is- drunk to the New Year, and Auld Lang Syne (The days of long ago, a song by Robert Burns) is sung.

Another popular way of celebrating the New Year is to go to a New Year's dance. Most hotels and dance halls hold a special dance on New Year's Eve. The hall is decorated, there are several different bands and the atmosphere is very gay.

The most famous celebration is in London round the statue of Eros in Piccadilly Circus where crowds gather and sing and welcome the New Year. In Trafalgar Square there is also a big crowd and someone usually falls into the fountain.

Those who have no desire or no opportunity to celebrate the New Year themselves can sit and watch other people celebrating on television. It is an indication of the relative unimportance of the New Year in England that the television producers seem unable to find any traditional English festivities for their programs and usually show Scottish ones.

January 1st, New Year's Day, is now a public holiday, fortunately for those who like to celebrate most of the night. Some people send New Year cards and give presents but this is not a widespread custom. This is the traditional time for making "New Year resolutions", for example, to give up smoking, or to get up earlier.

Also on New Year's Day the "New Year Honors List" is published in the newspapers, i.e. a list of those who are to be given honors of various types - knighthoods, etc.

New Year 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.

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 good luck", and at the last blow the New Year is allowed on the threshold.

It is generally considered that the New Year in England is less important than Christmas. This statement is true for the southern and eastern parts of the country. However, even there, New Year's Eve 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.

Most Famous places festivities - Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square in London, where crowds of people celebrate the New Year holding hands, singing "Old Lang Syne", kissing complete strangers, whistling whistles, car horns and fireworks. Someone usually falls into the fountain in Trafalgar Square. Unfortunately for all these midnight festivities, January 1st is not a public holiday in England.

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

The first visitor should 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 on the fire, put bread on the table and drink a glass for the head of the family, usually without saying anything - and nothing is said to him until he wishes 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 red headed 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 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 of the Gregorian calendar. This day became the official New Year's holiday in 1752.

New Year is one of the most long-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 given extensive coverage in the media, such as television and newspapers.

The custom of exchanging gifts on New Year's Eve 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 Eve, children get up early in order to have time to go around the neighbors and sing songs. Children for singing are presented with sweets, coins, apples and sweet pies.

New Year traditions in Britain

First guest of the New Year

The very old tradition of the "first guest" is still alive in Britain today. The "first guest" is the person who will be the first to cross the threshold of the house on New Year's Eve and bring good luck in the coming year. It is desirable that it 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 that this will bring bad luck. This is explained by the fact that in ancient times a dark-haired man was most likely a Scottish compatriot, and therefore did not pose a danger, while a fair-haired or red-haired man could be a Viking, and therefore a potential enemy.

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

The “first guest” should bring money, bread or a cake, coal or salt as a gift, as all this brings good luck. Bread and cake mean that the house will not starve in the coming year, coal - that the whole year will be warm in the house, salt brings wealth, since in former times salt was a rare and expensive commodity.

Hogmanay

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

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

New Year's Resolutions

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

New Year's Eve in Britain

New Year in Britain is a colorful holiday that is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Night parties, an abundance of New Year's dishes, champagne, music, dancing and fireworks are all important components of the New Year celebration in Britain. This is the biggest party of the year.

Another important part of New Year's Eve celebrations in Britain is the big New Year's Eve parade. The parade starts at noon and passes through the streets of London through Whitehall, Pall Mall and ends at Berkley Square. Musicians, dancers, acrobats, drummers and other artists try to make this event as bright and memorable as possible. All who are in Berkeley Square are invited to take part in the carnival and enjoy the celebration.

Symbols of the New Year

One of the most widely known symbols of New Year's Eve is 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 bells on the tower clock, are broadcast in the New Year in live on radio and television. This is followed by a huge fireworks display, usually in the area of ​​the London Eye (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. Friends usually visit on this day.

They have a good lunch. After lunch - apples and other fruits, as well as various sweets. Then all family members and friends start playing games and dancing. Before midnight, many people in the 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. A lot of 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 take to 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 the largest clock in London - Big Ben - starts to strike twelve, people in the square join hands and begin to sing. They also wish each other a Happy New Year. New Year's Eve is one of the favorite holidays for many people in the UK.

If you liked it, share it with your friends:

Join us atFacebook!

See also:

The essentials of language theory:

We offer online tests:

Topic: New Year Customs and Celebrations in the UK

Topic: British New Year traditions

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 festivities to say goodbye to the old year by remembering their achievements, and to welcome the new year by making wishes that everyone hopes 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. 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 are preparing 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, all the participants in the celebration hug and kiss with wishes of all the best in the new year! Shortly after the traditional fireworks, everyone sings "Auld Lang Syne" while holding each other's hands. This New Year's song was created to the words of Robert Burns, an outstanding Scottish poet, known throughout the world. Many children stay up until 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 the New Year in pubs and restaurants. They are mainly attracted by the beautiful Christmas decorations, delicious food and drinks, and a special entertainment program with lots of entertainment and loud music. Folk festivities in the open air 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 bank holiday, so almost everyone in the UK spends it at home, relaxing after a stormy celebration.

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. The first visitor should keep silence until the coal is put to the 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.

There is an old belief in the UK that the first person to enter the 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, the loaf of bread is placed on the table, and the glass alcoholic drink will not be given 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 enters the house first may cause the anger of the owners of the house, because he is associated with bad luck. This is due to 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 come of spring with much warmer days and shorter nights.