- Celebration history
- Preparation for the holiday
- New Year's table
- New Year traditions
- Present
- British santa claus
- Where to celebrate a holiday in Britain
Residents of the UK celebrate the New Year with pleasure, as it is not only a long-standing tradition, but also an opportunity to extend the Christmas holidays. In almost every part of the kingdom, on the night of December 31 to January 1, there are mass events dedicated to this holiday.
Celebration history
It is worth noting that until 1752 the date of the New Year's celebration fell on December 25 due to the fact that the country lived according to the Julian calendar. The transition to a new chronology system took place in the above-mentioned year. Since then, the official date of the holiday has been established, which is celebrated today on January 1.
Preparation for the holiday
Residents of the UK are very scrupulous, and therefore prepare for the holiday in advance. For the most part, this is a kind of ritual, which is a series of actions.
The week before the New Year, the following is done:
- groceries and gifts for family and friends are purchased;
- general cleaning of the territory of the house is carried out;
- old things and furniture are thrown away;
- a decorated Christmas tree is installed in the center of the room;
- a wreath of spruce branches is hung on the door.
As for the streets of large cities, they flash with thousands of lights even during the Christmas period. For the New Year, some compositions are being updated, and in the shop windows you can see fabulous compositions on a festive theme.
New Year's table
British cuisine is renowned for its long traditions and variety of dishes. Each hostess considers it her duty to surprise guests with delicious dishes and cook something special. The festive menu usually includes: turkey baked with chestnuts; steaks; goose stuffed with apples; stewed potatoes with vegetables; fried Brussels sprouts; oatmeal cakes; fruits; puddings; pies stuffed with meat.
A special place on the table is occupied by a pie made of shortcrust pastry and covered with almond flakes. The delicacy is decorated with miniature marzipan figurines with national symbols. The British believe that eating one piece of such a pie will bring happiness and prosperity in the coming year.
Among the spirits, the most popular are Irish ale, punch, rum, bourbon and grog.
New Year traditions
Since ancient times, customs have been preserved in the country, which are observed in every home today.
The first thing the owner does when the clock strikes twelve is to open the back door of the house. Thus, the old year is leaving, leaving behind all the troubles and problems. Next, you need to open the front door to let in the new year.
On the eve of the holiday, a to-do list is drawn up for the next year. The ritual is symbolic, but the inhabitants of the country perform it with impeccable accuracy every year.
Another long tradition is that the first guest after the new year should ideally be an attractive man with dark hair. Such a person, according to British beliefs, brings good luck and prosperity to the house. At the same time, the guest must give the owners a piece of bread, a little salt and coal, which should be burned in the fireplace.
On New Year's Eve, lovers kiss under a branch of mistletoe near Big Ben, confident that this custom will help strengthen their relationship in the future. It is also customary to decorate the doors and walls of the room with mistletoe or ivy branches. The ritual is done so that evil spirits cannot enter the dwelling.
In Edinburgh, the custom of burning an old barrel filled with tar is widespread. To do this, an area in the yard is cleared in advance, and all family members take part in the ceremony.
Present
Most of the presents are presented during the Christmas period. For the New Year, nice little things are given, including serving spoons, magnets, key rings, postcards, sweets and textiles. Gifts are pre-distributed in fabric bags, and then, by lot, they find their owner. The one who got, for example, a miniature spoon is declared lucky for the whole next year.
British santa claus
The main storyteller of the country is Father Christmas - a magical New Year's hero known in all European countries. Santa Claus performs his main function at Christmas, however, on December 31, children expect gifts from him. To do this, a red sock is placed near the fireplace or door, where the present should be. According to one legend, many years ago, Father Christmas was sneaking through the chimney and accidentally dropped a few gold coins into the red stocking that was lying below. Since then, British children have been using the red sock as a gift bag.
The prototype of Father Christmas is considered to be a Scandinavian god named Thor, Saint Nicholas and the god of Saturn from ancient Roman mythology. Britain's modern Santa Claus combines the features of all these characters. His main attributes are a red robe with white inserts, a gift bag, a deer and a twig, with which he punishes naughty children.
Where to celebrate a holiday in Britain
Of course, a trip to London is ideal. Here you will fully immerse yourself in the solemn atmosphere and can take part in mass festivities or see historical sights in the light of neon lights. The Russian diaspora of the British capital annually organizes interesting entertainment programs for compatriots living in England.
Music lovers should go to Liverpool. It was here that the legendary group The Beatles took their first steps. Their songs can be heard at every step in the city, and musicians and artists perform in bars and restaurants on New Year's.
If you prefer an active holiday, then no doubt choose the ski resorts of Scotland. Medieval castles, dog sledding, trails of different difficulty levels, decent service, well-developed infrastructure - all this can be found in the resort areas. Do not forget that such a trip should be carefully thought out, since during the New Year's holidays it is very problematic to find a free room in the hotel.
