New Year is the most favorite holiday among many of us. What is the holiday fuss! Choose and beautifully wrap gifts for relatives and friends, buy a new outfit, decorate the Christmas tree and paint a tasty and unusual menu. And how this holiday awaits the kids! And no wonder - after all, on New Year's Eve, Santa Claus and his assistants, led by the Snow Maiden, obedient kids lay out their desired gifts under the Christmas tree.
And of course, not a single preparation for a magical night passes without any innovations. Someone in the latest fashion adorn the Christmas tree, someone throws a theme party, and someone conjures in the kitchen, inventing a culinary masterpiece. And despite the fact that many families still observe traditional gatherings in front of the TV and a vase with olivier, each of us wants to bring something new to this holiday that will make New Year's Eve special and unique. Unusual and interesting ideas for celebrating the New Year can be found in this article.
Excursion into the past
According to scientists, the custom to celebrate the New Year originated in Ancient Mesopotamia for 3000 years BC - and this is almost 25 centuries ago! True, the year of the ancient people lasted 10 months, and the beginning of a new one was noted at the end of March, when the rivers spilled and a new agricultural period began. The celebration of the New Year lasted for 12 days, and these days people were strictly forbidden to work. In addition, everything was allowed to all, slaves became masters and vice versa. The strictest taboos were imposed on the court, punishments and executions during the holidays - this was a period of a kind of anarchist permissiveness.
Innovation of Julius Caesar
The celebration of the New Year on January 1, or rather on the night of December 31 to 1.01, is nowadays considered quite ordinary, and few people know that this tradition came about thanks to the emperor Guy Julius Caesar. It was he who, in 46 BC, increased the annual cycle from 10 to 12 months, adding January and February, and signed a decree that the year should begin on January 1. On this day, the inhabitants of the Roman Empire brought gifts and sacrifices to the two-faced god Janus, the patron saint of entrances and exits, as well as the end and the beginning. Over time, the Julian calendar began to be used in all corners of the globe, and the celebration of the New Year began to be carried out in accordance with it.
First day of the year
Until the Julian calendar appeared in Russia, the year of the Russian people began in March, and the holiday itself was called nothing more than “The first day of the year”. This continued until 1492, when a deeply religious Christian, the great Tsar John the Third, with the assistance of the Moscow Council, signed a decree on the appointment of September 1 as the first day of the annual cycle. On this day, it was customary to pay tribute, collect duties and taxes. The New Year, the celebration of which was accompanied by cash rewards for ordinary people, nevertheless, despite this unpleasant moment, was loved by many of them. Indeed, only on this single day of the year could any commoner appear in the Kremlin before the tsar’s royal eyes and gain justice and mercy from that person.
Emperor's New Year Decree
The decree on the celebration of the New Year on January 1 in 1700 was signed by the great innovator - Emperor Peter the Great. It was he who introduced the Julian calendar, which was used with might and main in Europe.
In addition, the sovereign ordered to mark the beginning of a new annual cycle during the week and personally checked whether the subjects were observing his decree. So the familiar New Year entered the Russian Empire. The traditions of the celebration of Peter the Great “spied” all in the same Europe: it was thanks to him that this holiday became the way we know it to this day.
Christmas tree, candles, New Year
Thanks to the decree of Peter the Great, the doors of all houses were open for any guest for 7 days, whether it was a simple hard worker or a boyar. Bonfires were burned nightly in all courtyards and on the streets, and the lights of lit oil dishes flashed merrily in the windows of the houses. Then there was a tradition to plant a Christmas tree, which was decorated with everything that the soul wished: nuts, sweets, homemade toys and apples. That was such a fun celebration. New Year in Russia quickly became the favorite holiday of all people.
First new year fireworks
By the way, Peter the Great also approved the New Year’s fireworks by signing a decree to arrange a large firework on Red Square, and also commanding everyone who has a cannon or a shotgun to fire three times. More than 300 years have passed since then, but on the night of December 31 to January 1, we still celebrate the New Year. Traditions of celebration and festivities, fireworks, richly laid tables and gifts - all these innovations of Peter the Great are still alive.
In the footsteps of Santa Claus
Without what, in a family where there are children, not a single New Year is complete? Celebration for kids begins with gifts that they personally brought or quietly left under the Christmas tree kind Santa Claus. Do you know who he is and where it came from?
They say that the prototype of Santa Claus was a very real person who lived in the 4th century. His name was Nicholas, and besides the fact that he had a good soul and a warm heart, he was an archbishop. According to legend, this holy man helped poor people by throwing nodules of gold in their windows, and if there were children in the family, then in addition to gold, toys and homemade sweets cut out of wood appeared in the nodule. After the compassionate Nicholas ascended to heaven, he was canonized and declared a saint. St. Nicholas Day (St. Nicholas Day) began to be celebrated on December 19, and the holy tradition was continued by admirers of the saint. In connection with the change of calendars, the dates were mixed up, and the custom to give sweets and gifts to the child shifted to the New Year. The appearance of Santa Claus has acquired new details over the centuries. The kind old man, familiar to us, without which not a single New Year celebration is complete, was acquired in 1860.
New Year's chores
New Year is not only everyone’s favorite bright holiday, but also very troublesome. In anticipation of the New Year’s Eve, you need to solve a lot of questions: finish important things, come up with the New Year’s menu, buy gifts, go to the hairdresser, buy a new outfit. But the most important: how, where and with whom to spend the New Year? The scenario of the celebration can be different and vary depending on what impressions you want to receive. After all, couples with children will do one thing, and unmarried boys and unmarried girls - quite another. We offer several ideas that will make the New Year celebration happy and unforgettable!
Idea No. 1: Restaurant
We will make a reservation right away: for kids, celebrating the New Year in a restaurant will be too tiring: they will be capricious and cry, and parents will be annoyed and nervous. As a result, the holiday will be hopelessly ruined. Therefore, it is better to celebrate the New Year in a restaurant without children.
If you decide to spend a magical night in a restaurant, the algorithm of your actions should be as follows:
- Choose a restaurant in advance, get acquainted with the cost of the admission ticket and show program, inquire about the menu and learn about the dress code.
- Decide on a company for the New Year, specify the details.
- Book a table in your favorite restaurant.
- Think over your image in accordance with the approved program of the restaurant dress code.
- Make time and sleep before the long New Year's Eve, as well as visit a beauty salon to look perfect.
Idea No. 2: rented apartment
New Year celebration in a rented apartment is a favorite practice of youth. And no wonder: the budget of most of them will not stand the test of a restaurant, and celebrating a holiday with parents is no longer interesting. The main thing is to develop a plan and strictly follow it:
- Gather a company of friends with whom the New Year will be celebrated.
- Find an apartment that will meet all the requirements (it is desirable that it has several rooms for those who want privacy).
- Choose who will be responsible for the rented apartment.
- To think through the menu and make the list of products.
- Divide the budget for all guests.
- To come up with a holiday scenario and, in accordance with it, decorate temporary housing.
- Decide in advance who does what and paint for all the tasks.
- Stock up with mineral water and activated carbon tablets.
- After the New Year's Eve, cooperate and collect together the traces of the celebration.
Idea number 3: country house
To celebrate the New Year in a new place is unusual and very fun. And a country house, especially if it is located in the forest, is a great solution for both couples with children and teenagers.
Fresh air, snow-white fluffy snow, clear stars and close people nearby are truly fabulous! Unlike the metropolis, in which snow turns into a gray mess, you can sled and ski outside the city, sculpt funny snowmen with carrot-noses and play snowballs. The New Year’s menu can be both exquisite and the simplest. And what could be better than hot mulled wine and barbecue fried on a barbecue in a quiet winter forest? By the way, you can dress up a Christmas tree right in the forest - the main thing is to bring toys with you. And if, instead of traditional plastic balls, hang corn cobs, apples, nuts and cookies on Christmas tree paws, then you can become a real Santa Claus for squirrels and other forest residents. So, to unforgettably celebrate the New Year in a country house, you need:
- Decide on the number of people who will celebrate New Year with you.
- Use the Internet or reviews of friends and choose a country house.
- Agree with the landlord, if necessary - make an advance payment.
- Collect a bag with things and, in addition to holiday dresses, grab a lot of warm clothes.
- To think over and take a first-aid kit with you (note that situations are different, but you will have to get far to a pharmacy).
- Discuss the menu of the New Year's table and decide whether you will cook everything in a country house or buy a ready-made one in a supermarket.
- Think of a Christmas tree dress.
- If you will get to your destination with your car, make sure that the fuel tank is full and that you have all the necessary tools in the trunk in case of unexpected breakdowns.
- Do not forget to bring hygiene products!
Idea number 4: home comfort
To celebrate the New Year at home is a tradition beloved by many. This is a great opportunity to isolate yourself from the bustle and have a good time with your family. Indeed, there are so few such moments in the whirl of events! To meet the beginning of the year at home is not only comfortable, but also fun! For example, you can cook dishes that are usually not cooked in your family, come up with a new family tradition, decorate your home with handmade toys, paint windows with New Year's patterns.
You can invite parents, grandparents, and close friends to visit. If you have pets, do not ignore them: you can tie festive ribbons with bells on cats and dogs, stick snowflakes on the aquarium, and hang a pair of bells on a cage with a parrot or rodent. Here are some tips for celebrating the New Year in your native land:
- Sit with the whole family and discuss at your home council how and with whom the family will celebrate New Year's Eve.
- If there are children in the family, ask them to make invitation cards for all guests (aunts and uncles, and especially grandparents, love crafts from kids).
- Ask each member of the family what dish he would like to try at the holiday (you can use the old cookbook or the Internet).
- Come up with a New Year's script or contests, do not forget to buy small prizes (handkerchiefs, lollipops, wet wipes, fridge magnets)!
- Buy funny costumes for kids (you can buy good and funny masks for yourself).
- Decorate the house with colorful garlands, New Year's figures and balls, do not forget about the Christmas tree.
- Place lighted candles throughout the house - this will add magic (remember about fire safety!).
- Prepare the festive dishes 5-6 hours before the arrival of the guests - thus, the whole family will have time to walk in the park, rest and tidy themselves up.
- Do not forget to charge the camera and camcorder!
Idea number 5: visit
If you were invited to visit - you should think about etiquette. Come to a welcoming home empty-handed - bad manners. Let's not forget about the courtesy and the rules of good form, especially on New Year's Eve! So, if you are invited to visit, then it is worth considering the following details:
- If the holiday will be held in the circle of close friends, discuss the menu in advance (you can arrange that each invitee will bring something of food with him).
- Alcohol tends to run out, so grab a bottle of champagne, wine, or brandy with you.
- Remember that fruits and sweets do not happen much, tangerines and sweets are especially popular.
- If there are children in the house - do not forget to buy them small surprises: the girls will like beautiful hair clips, hygienic lipstick or a cute bracelet, and the boys will be delighted with cars, dinosaurs or a laser keychain.
- If the mistress of the house is not an inveterate cleanroom, you can bring confetti, crackers and serpentine, they will perfectly fit into the New Year mood;
- In the event that the owners of the house fully take on the festive table, we recommend buying them good gifts: choose a present according to their preferences.
- If you are taking any medications, do not forget them at home (the same applies to female intimate hygiene products).
- Ask the hosts about the dress code, if the New Year's party is themed, take care of the proper costume.
Idea number 6: with light steam!
New Year can be celebrated not only at a party, at home, in a restaurant or in the woods, but also in a sauna. The main condition is not to drink too much alcohol, since in conditions of hot steam it is dangerous for health. This option is suitable for people without children, as well as a bachelorette party or a purely male company. The most difficult thing is to find a free sauna. Everything else is up to you. You can prepare your own meals, order in a restaurant or buy in the department of prepared dishes in a supermarket. A birch broom placed in a vase and hung with garlands can act as a Christmas tree. Champagne can be drunk from beer mugs, and the menu can consist of sushi, rolls and sashimi. The simplest is a New Year's costume: a snow-white sheet.
By and large, it’s not at all important where you will celebrate the New Year. The most important thing is that there are those who you love and who you love near you. This is the best thing that can be on the most magical night of the year. The rest is just scenery.