New Year's Eve is a special time when people all around the world celebrate the end of the old year and welcome the new one. People have different ways to celebrate! Countdowns: Many places have big countdowns where people count from 10 to 1 as the clock strikes midnight. When it's midnight, everyone cheers, hugs, and sometimes sets off fireworks to celebrate!
Fireworks: In many countries, colorful fireworks light up the sky on New Year's Eve. It's like a big, beautiful party in the sky!
Special Foods: Some people eat specific foods for good luck in the new year. For example, in some places, people eat 12 grapes at midnight—one for each month—to bring good luck for the upcoming year.
Noisemakers: Some places use noisemakers like horns, drums, or pots and pans to make lots of noise at midnight. It's a fun way to welcome the new year and chase away any bad luck.
Wishes and Resolutions: People often make New Year's resolutions. These are promises to do something better or change something in the new year. They might wish for good things to happen, like being kinder or trying new things.
Different Traditions: Every country and culture might have its special traditions. For example, in Scotland, they have 'First Footing,' where the first person to step into a house in the new year brings good luck. Remember, New Year's is a time for happiness, hope, and celebrating with friends and family, no matter where you are or how you celebrate!
Love it or Lose it!
The new year is a great time for hopeful wishing but it is also a good time to get rid of things that are weighing you down. In Ecuador they make or write down and then burn the bad parts of the old year. In Italy they throw out old things and look to start the year fresh.
YOU have a choice. On the paper I have given you please write down a wish for the new year OR you can write down something from the past year that you want to get rid of. When you are done crumple that paper into a loose ball and we are going to use it for our next activity.