For Russians, the main holiday is considered New Year. This is undeniable. Adults and children are waiting for him. For Americans, Christmas is considered the main holiday. Americans also celebrate the New Year, but with less excitement. However, they attend concerts, watch a parade, shop at fairs and admire colorful fireworks displays.
The history of New Year's celebrations by Americans
Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar in 1582. In the colonies of England, from which the States were then formed, they began to live according to this calendar 30 years earlier. Americans adopted the New Year on January 1 from the Europeans. Traditionally, people walked and had fun there on New Year's holiday.
American New Year's traditions
Residents of the United States imagine the New Year in the form of a baby in a diaper. In their opinion, the New Year develops, matures and ages over the course of 365 days. By the end of December he turns into an old man, He has to transfer his position to the newborn baby. This happens every year.
On the eve of the New Year, residents of America radically change their destiny, deciding from the first days of the new year to live in a new way. Some people start fighting their own bad habits, including smoking, excess weight. They want to play sports, make peace with relatives, or collect some objects.
The New Year is a kind of temporary launching pad for them.
In the last week before the New Year, Santa Claus walks the streets. He allows children to take pictures with him. And in New Year's Eve comes to them and leaves gifts. He usually puts them on the fireplace or hides them in a stocking.
Christmas decoration
Americans know no bounds when it comes to decorating their homes and streets. They buy everything: crackers, tinsel, all the pyrotechnics, balloons and sparklers in stores. Their houses sparkle with shiny tinsel and rain. There is a crackle and sparkle from pyrotechnics on the street. There are so many people in the capital that it is difficult to move around.
Video - How houses in the USA are decorated for New Year and Christmas
New Year celebration
Residents of the United States most often celebrate the New Year with their families, among relatives and friends. Young Americans love to go to mass celebrations, where several thousand spectators gather. They are seduced by joyful screams, car horns, bursts of firecrackers, and volleys of fireworks.
New Year's attributes
In 1907, a purely American tradition. Today it is known in many countries. Since then, every year on the last day of December, a minute before the New Year, a large ball is thrown from a height of 23 meters in Times Square. Its flight to the ground lasts a full minute. The last 10 seconds of his fall are unanimously counted down by the spectators who have gathered in the square.
More more people count down the last seconds of the ball falling sitting in front of my TV. When the ball reaches the ground, the New Year begins. This happens exactly at midnight. The tradition has managed to gain popularity among Americans. Many residents of the capital and its guests come to the square on a fabulous night. They want to watch the ball descend, counting down the last moments of the past year.
Other states and localities
Residents of other cities enjoyed watching the New Year's ball descend. Only they replaced it with their own items. In Georgia, instead of a ball, a big peach falls. In North Carolina, a brass acorn flies from above and weighs 900 pounds. In Strasbourg, a ping-pong ball flies from a height.
New Year's Day in the United States of America began to be celebrated around the 17th century. This tradition was brought to the American continent by colonists from Holland. New Year is public holiday in USA. January 1 is an official day off. But still, the main one winter holiday for America - Christmas. The holiday of Catholic Christmas is of a spiritual and religious nature. On this holiday, believers must attend church. And they celebrate the holiday with their family, most often in their parents’ house. Unlike Christmas, New Year is a secular holiday that is celebrated with friends in restaurants, cafes, casinos, or simply on the streets and squares.
The brightest, most solemn and crowded New Year celebration takes place in New York in Times Square. For more than a hundred years, there has been a tradition on December 31 at 23.59 to lower the so-called time ball - the Times Square Ball - from The New York Times Tower. This famous attraction was invented by the first owner of the tower back in 1907. New Yorkers liked it so much that since then this ritual descent, which has already become a good tradition, is performed every year. A huge sparkling ball, secured with a special cable, solemnly descends down during the last minute of the outgoing year to the jubilant screams of people gathered in the square and a multi-million television audience. They say that the number of television viewers watching this attraction reaches one billion people around the world.
The Tournament of Roses and Pantomime Parade festivals are very popular among Americans and numerous tourists who come to the United States for the New Year holidays.
The Tournament of Roses has been held annually since 1890 on January 1 in Pasadena, California. As the name suggests, the main theme of the parade is the festival of flowers. This colorful and grandiose show was conceived by the residents of Pasadena to demonstrate the beauty and wealth of their warm state, as opposed to snowy New York in January. Preparations for the parade take place throughout the year, and the celebration ends with the traditional Pink Ball football match.
The "Mime Parade" was first organized in Philadelphia by emigrants from Ireland. This grandiose and very long ten-hour show presents colorful parade artists, musicians, singers, clowns, mimes and dancers walking through the streets of the city and demonstrating their art to numerous spectators. Tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world come to Philadelphia to see this grandiose, bright spectacle on January 1 of every year.
The custom of celebrating the New Year with a glass of sparkling wine or champagne has taken root in the USA, but they do not give gifts for the New Year, because... a huge number of gifts have already been given for Christmas. In America, much attention is paid to decorating your home for Christmas. Depending on their material capabilities, Americans strive to decorate their home or apartment to the maximum, this is not limited to just installing a Christmas tree, they use a huge number of electric garlands, figures of the baby Jesus, the Virgin Mary, Joseph, the Magi, Santa Claus and various fairy tale characters. Often these figures are life-size and can move. The spectacle is fascinating and accessible to everyone, when they are displayed by the owners in front of their houses. Sometimes there are public or secret competitions between home owners to see who can decorate their home and yard for the holiday better, more elegantly, beautifully, wittily and more expensively. It is clear that all this beauty remains until the New Year holiday. Therefore, for the New Year, all of America sparkles and shimmers.
Happy New Year and Merry Christmas!
Americans think about decorating their home both inside and outside long before January 1st. Christmas and New Year's toys and decorations open back in October. Here you can find everything to celebrate the New Year - from napkins and dishes with special patterns to Santa Clauses on the lawn.
New Year in the USA is primarily associated, of course, with New York and Times Square. A huge crowd explodes with a storm of delight, accompanying the traditional ceremonial descent of the famous Ball, sparkling with thousands of neon lights. You definitely need to take part in this - and you will be provided with a full drive. It is noteworthy that mostly foreigners gather there, while the townspeople are catching up on sleep.
Although New Year's Day is officially celebrated on January 1st in the United States, celebrations begin on December 31st. According to tradition, everyone sees off until midnight old year, and then they meet the one who has arrived. Americans love to celebrate this holiday noisily - in theaters, nightclubs and restaurants. At exactly midnight, after the ringing of bells, fireworks fly into the air, champagne corks, the howl of sirens and car horns announce the beginning of the New Year. People hug and kiss each other and wish each other happiness.
Some major cities in the United States hold parades on January 1st. Admittedly, the most fun and numerous of them is the New Year's parade in New York's Time Square. Thousands of city residents gather here Big Apple, they are joined by millions of Americans watching the colorful show on television.
Such popular festivals among Americans as the Tournament of Roses and the Pantomime Parade, the origins of which traditions arose in the middle of the last century, are also associated with the New Year's holiday.
The mime parade, which was first organized in Philadelphia by Irish immigrants, is staged as a ten-hour performance. The parade includes clowns, musicians, and dancers. All of them parade through the city streets under the leadership of the King of Pantomime, dressed in bright costumes, to the music, sounds of pipes and flutes.
The Tournament of Roses, which was first held in Pasadena, California, immediately gained a large number of fans due to its beauty and unusualness. The tournament ends with the Pink Ball football match, which is also broadcast on national television. As a rule, this event attracts the attention of thousands of tourists and millions of television viewers.
The obligatory attributes of the New Year's holiday in the United States include an old man, symbolizing the past year, and a baby, symbolizing the new year. There is a clear analogy here with the ancient Roman god Janus, after whom the month of January was named. Legend testifies that Janus was two-faced: one face turned to the past, the other to the future. Many Americans experience similar feelings on New Year's Eve, critically assessing the achievements of the past year and making plans for the coming year.
Practical and sincere at the same time, they even write down for themselves " New Year's tasks", in which they plan to quit smoking or go on a diet, or wake up earlier, or spend less money on clothes. Usually, when the year comes to an end, "challenges" become a reason to laugh at yourself.
Do you know what is the most important difference between us (Russian speakers) and Americans? What about the fact that they have a Christmas tree and we have a New Year’s tree? Of course, this is a joke (about the main difference), but in general there is some truth in this. Christmas in America, as in Western Europe, is celebrated annually on December 25th. This holiday is eagerly awaited by both adults and children. And this is not at all surprising, because its atmosphere is present in everything: decorated streets and houses, waiting for Santa and gifts, an abundance of goodies on the festive table. All residents are preparing very hard for Christmas, Christmas songs are sung all around and gifts are bought. During this period, donations greatest number money, toys, food and other things.
Christmas in the USA is a family holiday and gifts are given specifically for Christmas, not for New Year. Moreover, gifts are opened in the morning after waking up. They treat the New Year very calmly; it is mainly a holiday for the younger generation with noisy parties. All festive table Only prepared for Christmas. There is no sign “how you celebrate the New Year is how you will spend it.” And there is no New Year's address from the President in the USA either? When the clock strikes 12 times - on TV in live they show the main square of the city and people watch as a crystal ball or star descends through the building to the beat of the chimes.
Live Christmas trees are preferred, but artificial ones are also popular. Living Christmas trees are really very fluffy and beautiful (as if they were specially grown to be perfectly even).
Rain and tinsel are not hung on the tree. Toys and lights are a priority. A star or angel is placed on the top of the tree. Christmas trees begin to be installed at the end of November and already on December 26-27 you can see green beauties thrown into the trash. So for “our people” in America, this is very lucky - you can buy a Christmas tree and toys at good discounts? Also, Americans really like to decorate their homes for any holiday occasion. During the Christmas holidays, these are wreaths on the doors, an abundance of lights around the perimeter of the house and all kinds of figures installed in front of the house (most often these are inflatable snowmen, deer, Santa).
Ugly sweaters are one of the symbols of Christmas in the States. Kits for these are sold in many supermarkets for about $30. They include a sweater - two designs to choose from and adhesive embellishments. Are there competitions for the worst sweater in bars or offices?
Traditional dishes on the Christmas table are turkey or ham with cranberry sauce (they love this dish for both Thanksgiving and Christmas). Before dinner, it is customary to read prayers. Besides family holiday In the USA there is a corporate culture of celebrating Christmas. From mid-December corporate parties.
And of course, Secret Santa is one of the most widespread traditions in America. Usually secret Santa is played by friends or at work, but lately people have also started playing Secret Santa. social media- uniting not only different cities, but also other countries and continents. The essence of this game is this: the amount of the gift is agreed upon, for example, 20 dollars and people write their name on pieces of paper and throw it into a container. Then they take turns drawing out each other’s names (without admitting who got it) and give gifts.
Americans are the nation that gives and receives the most gifts at Christmas. In addition to gifts, many Americans bake liver, pies and prepare other spices, which they distribute to neighbors and friends on the eve of the holiday.
And in small American towns there is a glorious tradition. There it is customary to visit each other and sing old Christmas songs. Children dressed as angels sing Christmas carols and praise God.
And of course, everyone says Merry Christmas to each other?
New Year in the United States of America is celebrated on the night of December 31 to January 1. This holiday is second in popularity to Catholic Christmas (December 25). Unlike Christmas, which is a family celebration, most Americans celebrate New Year's Eve publicly, with friends at parties, carnivals, clubs and casinos.
The most popular place to celebrate the New Year is Times Square in New York. The most spectacular action in the country takes place here - the descent of the Time Ball (Times Square Ball). On December 31 at 23.59 it is lowered from a 23-meter height along the flagpole. The ball reaches its lowest point at midnight, which is considered the beginning of the New Year. This action took place for the first time in 1907. The Americans liked its spectacle, and the descent of the time ball became an annual tradition. The design of this New Year's attribute has changed more than once over the years. In 1907, it was a structure made of metal, wood and incandescent lamps. The modern ball consists of triangular crystal panels and thousands of LEDs.
Other U.S. cities have begun holding their own versions of the ceremonial lowering. New Year's ball. Instead of a ball, they use local symbols: images of animals, plants, fruits, cars. Atlanta uses a giant peach, Raleigh uses a brass acorn, Strasburg uses a ping pong ball, and Plymouth uses a slice of cheese.
Traditions and rituals
On New Year's Eve, Americans take stock of the past year: they reflect on what was done and what failed. Everyone tries to make a list of important things to do for the next year: go to college, quit smoking, sign up for a dance, visit another country, change housing, car or job.
A traditional New Year's attribute in the USA is Baby - a child in a diaper. He grows and ages throughout the year. At the end he becomes an old man and transfers his powers to the next newborn. Americans love the image of a baby in a diaper. They often use it in New Year's shows, souvenirs and cards.
In America, it is not customary to give gifts for the New Year. They are presented to loved ones and relatives on Catholic Christmas.
history of the holiday
On the territory of modern America, New Year began to be celebrated in the 17th century, when colonists from Holland arrived in these lands. They introduced their own traditions and rituals. The cult of Indian pagan gods has been crowded out of society for centuries. It was only in the 20th century during carnivals and parades that people began to use their whimsical images in their holiday costumes.
New Year decoration
The New Year is preceded by Catholic Christmas, so the houses, streets and squares of US cities take on a festive look already in early December. Americans decorate store windows with fabulous New Year's compositions, which delight the eyes of passers-by and attract buyers. New Year trees are installed in the central squares of cities. The country's main Christmas tree is located in New York at Rockefeller Plaza. They begin to install it in mid-November. Americans look forward to the lighting ceremony of the main Christmas tree, which traditionally takes place on the last day of autumn. This tradition was founded in the 30s of the 20th century. Tens of thousands of citizens and tourists gather in the square to watch this vibrant spectacle.
The day before New Year's holidays Americans also decorate their homes. They install fir trees in the living rooms, decorate the facades of houses with shimmering garlands, hang a Christmas wreath on the door, and put figurines of deer, Santa Claus, and snowmen in the courtyards.
Festive table
For most Americans, New Year's is a public holiday. In the USA it is not customary to set a luxurious table from holiday dishes. Those residents of the country who stay at home on New Year's Eve prefer to put various casseroles and light snacks on the table. For dessert they serve sweet puddings and pies. From alcoholic drinks Americans prefer champagne, punch, and brandy.
Cities and resorts
New Year's holidays in the USA are celebrated cheerfully and on a grand scale. Carnivals and parades that take place on New Year's Eve will amaze guests with their entertainment.
New York is the center of the country's main festive events and noisy parties. The world-famous ceremony of lowering the ball will leave bright, unforgettable emotions.
In the city of Pasadena (California), since January 1, 1890, a grandiose New Year's event"Rose Parade". The festival features dozens of floats decorated with flowers, orchestras, horsemen, dancers and musicians. After the parade ends, a college football game takes place at the Rose Bowl.
The Philadelphia Pantomime Parade is not inferior in its entertainment and scale. Show performance under open air lasts about ten hours and is available to everyone. It features clowns, jugglers, dancers and musicians dressed in colorful costumes.
Exotic lovers will love it New Year holidays on the Hawaiian Islands. The most popular are the Big Island and Oahu. Tourists who find themselves in the mild and warm Hawaiian climate in winter will feel like they are in paradise. Visitors will be greeted by friendly locals with garlands of flowers. Beautiful nature, sandy coasts of the Pacific Ocean and clear water will not leave vacationers indifferent. Hawaii is a great place for surfing and diving. Restaurants and clubs diversify your holiday with parties. The most popular New Year's event in the Hawaiian Islands is the fire show.