What is the most enjoyable part of a slumber party? We’ll give you a hint: it’s not sleeping! Staying awake late with close friends and family members can be a fantastic way to create fun and lasting memories.
Occasionally, staying up late is a part of a special celebration. For instance, on New Year’s Eve every year, millions of people stay awake late to say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new one.
Do you enjoy staying awake late on New Year’s Eve? Counting down to midnight is a long-standing tradition that many families participate in. There’s nothing quite like welcoming in the new year right from the beginning in the company of dear friends and family members.
How else do you celebrate the new year? Many people celebrate the new year with sparkling drinks and special dishes. They may enjoy these treats at parties where they wait for the large, illuminated Waterford crystal ball on top of One Times Square to drop, signaling the new year and initiating a massive fireworks display.
At the stroke of midnight, you are also likely to hear the familiar sounds of Auld Lang Syne, an old Scottish song that became popular as a New Year’s Eve song in 1929 by the famous band leader, Guy Lombardo. The song’s title translates to “old long since” and signifies “times gone by.” The lyrics encourage us to remember past individuals with affection.
Naturally, people around the world often have their own unique and special traditions. For example, in Japan, the new year is the most significant holiday of the year. It is a time of renewal when people take time off work, clean their homes, and spend time together as a family.
In Spain, it is a tradition to eat 12 grapes at midnight. The Spanish believe that doing so will bring 12 happy months in the new year. In the Netherlands, the Dutch gather their Christmas trees in the street and burn them in a massive bonfire while launching fireworks.
What does your family usually do to celebrate New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day? Do you make resolutions? Go to a fireworks display? Watch a favorite television show? If you don’t already have a tradition, start one this year!
Give It a Try
Are you prepared to stay awake all night? Gather a few friends or family members to join you in staying awake and trying out the following activities:
- Reflect on the previous year. What were the positive aspects of it? What changes would you make if given the chance? How can you make the upcoming year even better? If possible, take a notebook and jot down some resolutions for the coming year. You can refer back to this list throughout the year to track your progress. Then, next year at this time, you can review your list to see how well you did!
- If you find yourself at a New Year’s Eve gathering and that familiar, popular song starts playing, what will you do? Are you familiar with the lyrics? Can you sing along? Prepare for your New Year’s Eve celebration by familiarizing yourself with the words to Auld Lang Syne.
- How would you celebrate New Year’s Eve if you were in England or Australia? Discover the different New Year traditions around the world to find out. If you could celebrate the start of the new year in any country, where would you choose? And why?
Useful Sources
- http://www.forbes.com/sites/reneesylvestrewilliams/2011/12/28/100/
- http://www.infoplease.com/spot/newyearcelebrations.html
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