Sunday, December 31, 2006

New Year's celebrations around the world











Tired of the same old ball dropping, champagne toast, auld lang syne at midnight? Try one of these new year's traditions from around the world.

Thai celebration: The New Year celebrations start by people chasing each other down the street with buckets of water. This is also a day for good deeds and karama-polishing acts.

Swedish celebration: Go to church, go to smorgasbords and drink spicy glogg.

Denmark: Throw broken dishes at your friend's doors. Old dishes are saved year around to throw them at the homes where their friends live on New Years Eve. Many broken dishes were a symbol that you have many friends.

Portugese and Spanish celebrations: pick and eat twelve grapes from a bunch as the clock strikes twelve on New Year's Eve. This is done to ensure twelve happy months in the coming year. Sometimes the grapes are washed down with wine.

Netherlands: burn your Christmas tree in a street bonfire.

Japanese celebration: Hang a rope of straw across the front of your house to keep out evil spirits, the straw stands for happiness and good luck. When the New Year begins, the Japanese people begin to laugh, and this is supposed to bring them good luck in the New Year.

Korean: on New Year's day wear new clothing. This symbolizes a fresh beginning.

3 comments:

rzdesign said...

I like the Thai, but as it is only in the 40's here. . .

mmm! Glogg! Glogg is good!

The SPanish/Portugese/Cubans typically drink what is called Cidre, like cider, after eating the grapes. I just heard that on the radio yesterday!

What are you doing?

Lisa Ryan said...

I too would like to throw buckets of water, yelling Sawatdee Pi Mai!

I also like Denmark's tradition.

Instead, will go to several parties with the usual ball drop watching, champagne toasting, and auld lang syne singing. Although this year, I am bringing grapes.
:-)

sushilsingh said...

Dear,Friend
"New year is celebrated around the world with hope and good wishes.

Every country has their own traditions and rituals and they welcome

the new year in their own unique ways. One common factor among all

nations observed in their new year celebration is special prayers,

blessings, attractive costume parties and religious celebration.
Please visit for more detail
http://www.desidirectory.com/indian-festival-events/Default.asp?Ord

Date=0&txtKeyword=&page=2