happy..nEW Year..2010

..Last night party at friends place..saying good bye to 2009 and welcoming 2010.. usually every year we have a family get together ,but this year ..since none of the family members were there.. as mom and dad have gone for a wedding to India..and my brother in law ..has gone to New york with family and kids ..we were left with our aunt and uncle ..who accompanied us to the party...as they are our commons friends ..it was fun though ...with dinner and couple dance... Sitting there I thought every new thing is celebrated ...it brings a hope and joy.. without any fear... every year ceremoniously we celebrate and welcome New year..But what significance does it have otherwise then an end of the year...
The beginning of spring is a logical time to start a new year. ....After all planting new crops, and of blossoming....
January 1, on the other hand, has no astronomical nor agricultural significance. It is purely arbitrary. NEW YEAR TRADITIONS.....
Other traditions of the season include the making of New Year's resolutions. Popular modern resolutions might include the promise to lose weight or quit smoking. The early age.. most popular resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment or money...
FOR LUCK IN THE NEW YEAR
Traditionally, it was thought that one could affect the luck they would have throughout the coming year by what they did or ate on the first day of the year. For that reason, it has become common for folks to celebrate the first few minutes of a brand new year in the company of family and friends. Parties often last into the middle of the night after the ringing in of a new year. It was once believed that the first visitor on New Year's Day would bring either good luck or bad luck the rest of the year. It was particularly lucky if that visitor happened to be a tall dark-haired man. We ate grapes ..twelve each served in bowls immediately after new year according to Spanish tradition..it brings good luck to start with fresh Green grapes.. ......Traditional New Year foods are also thought to bring luck. Many cultures believe that anything in the shape of a ring is good luck.....because it symbolizes "coming full circle," completing a year's cycle. For that reason, the Dutch believe that eating donuts on New Year's Day will bring good fortune.

Spain

The Spanish ritual on New Year's eve is to eat twelve grapes at midnight. The tradition is meant to secure twelve happy months in the coming year.

The Netherlands

The Dutch burn bonfires of Christmas trees on the street and launch fireworks. The fires are meant to purge the old and welcome the new.

Greece

In Greece, New Year's day is also the Festival of St. Basil, one of the founders of the Greek Orthodox Church. One of the traditional foods served is Vassilopitta, or St Basil's cake. A silver or gold coin is baked inside the cake. Whoever finds the coin in their piece of cake will be especially lucky during the coming year...

United States

Probably the most famous tradition in the United States is the dropping of the New Year ball in Times Square, New York City, at 11:59 P.M. .....Thousands gather to watch the ball make its one-minute descent, arriving exactly at midnight..... The tradition first began in 1907. The original ball was made of iron and wood; the current ball is made of Waterford Crystal, weighs 1,070 pounds, and is six feet in diameter......A traditional southern New Year's dish is Hoppin' John—black eyed peas and ham hocks. An old saying goes, "Eat peas on New Year's day to have plenty of everything the rest of the year..and I dont like green peas..

The Indian New Year is popularly known as the festival of Deepawali or DiwaliI jus love Dipawali.... This festival is celebrated for five days as it marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year. It is one of the most widely celebrated festivals all over India. Deepawali signifies the end of the previous year and the start of a New Year. Deepawali is one of the most cheerful festivals of India that is enjoyed by people to the fullest. This festival of Deepawali, that makes a start for New Year symbolizes victory of good over evil. People make a lot of preparations for this Indian New Year, like they decorate their houses with fresh flowers, exchange gifts with relatives and friends, buy new clothes, enjoy get-together with their near and dear ones, and lot of other activities are a part of this colorful Indian New Year festival... last but not the least... happiness and prosperity ....can make every single day..a NEW YEAR....
..........................HAPPY NEW YEAR.............................