Since childhood, the New Year is the most beloved and long-awaited celebration for every person. This is a holiday of a Christmas tree, sparkle of lights, home comfort, pleasant memories, hopes and magic. It is celebrated in almost all countries of the world, the new year in France, Germany, Denmark and other countries is slightly different from our celebration. It is massive and accompanied by street processions, masquerades, songs and dances.
Curious how the New Year is celebrated in France?
The French call this holiday the day of St. Sylvester, all because its day falls on December 31st. Residents of France celebrate New Year with the whole family, but not at home. It is customary to celebrate a holiday somewhere in a restaurant, cafe or night club. The windows of these establishments must be painted with thematic drawings, patterns and beautiful inscriptions. During the New Year's Eve dinner, the inhabitants of France wear bright pointed caps, dance, throw confetti or serpentine into each other and joke.
On a solemn night, it is especially crowded in the center of Paris, on Montmartre and the Champs Elysees. Citizens take to the streets of their city, and, raising a glass of champagne for the "new happiness", go for a walk along the elegant night streets. This night the boulevards and avenues are filled with people who friendly hug each other and congratulate on the occasion.
Not one new year in France can not do without a lottery. This is the favorite entertainment of the French, thanks to which you can win chicken, turkey and even a pig.
The festive table is traditionally decorated with mistletoe. It is believed that this plant is able to bring good luck. From the dishes, the French prepare black puddings, turkey or fried goose, baked pork head, beans, peas, chestnuts, nuts, lentils, sweets and cakes made from milk. But the most important French New Year’s meal is a goose liver.
By tradition, the hostesses prepare a pie for dessert and put one bean in it. The person who gets a piece of the pie with the baked bean in it is called the "bean king" and on a festive night everyone should obey only him.
For the new year in France, as well as here, it is customary to give small gifts to friends and relatives. It can be any graceful, stylish, funny, original or just nice little things. For example, in 2002, the French, after putting the euro into circulation, presented their friends and relatives with packages and new pan-European coins, the value of which was 100 francs.
New Year in France is unthinkable without Santa Claus, but here it bears the name of Per Noel. This wizard on a festive night comes into every house and leaves gifts for children in shoes.
Christmas trees shining with colorful lights stand in every house and on the streets. Clay or wooden figures called santons are usually displayed near them. In addition, the French in the New Year decorate their homes with flowers. They place them one at a time and in huge bouquets, and always put flowers on the festive table. Each French family has a model describing the scene of the birth of Christ, it is also an element of New Year's decor.
All over the world it is believed that the French are a loving nation. However, on New Year's holiday they prefer not to kiss at all. Instead, they fill up and get drunk to the dump. Traditionally, all owners-winemakers necessarily clink glasses with a barrel of wine, congratulate her on the coming triumph and drink for the future harvest. And since only the lazy are not engaged in wine production in France, one can imagine what fun reigns on New Year's Eve in this country.
The French cease to celebrate New Year only on January 6 in connection with the onset of the next holiday - Epiphany.
Now you will know how to celebrate the new year in France: noisy, fun, bright and friendly.