New Year Traditions

Question

I was thinking about the new year and how Americans celebrate it and then I wondered how others celebrated, if they celebrate at all. Do Latin American countries even celebrate the New Year? If so, what do they do? I know in China (although it is celebrated in other countries as well) they have a Chinese New Year celebration but that isn't until around February, so, do other countries celebrate the New Year on Jan. 1st or later/earlier? What goes on in Spanish speaking countries during this time?

Thanks!

Answer 1

In South America, people celebrate New Years pretty much like U.S., Canadians, and Europeans do. Parties, lots of food, drinking, fireworks, dancing, and then later on, when people have had too much partying, they will end up going to the hospital because of accidents with cars/fireworks or start fighting with each other (this is what my friends in Buenos Aires tell me, anyway)

BTW, The Chinese New Year is a HUGE celebration, but it actually takes place around beginning of February..it is the second new moon after the winter solstice, and it's considered national holiday with many people taking vacations during this time. - bdclark0423, Dec 31, 2009

oh, thanks, I forgot it was in February :) - hlsbookworm, Dec 31, 2009

alot of times mine is similar, i'm in Texas (E.E.U.U.) - DJ_Huero, Dec 31, 2009

Answer 2

In the southern United States we eat a special meal on New Year's Day. Traditionally it is pork in some form (representing "the fat of the land"), black-eyed peas (for good luck) and collard greens (for money). It is probably my favorite holiday meal. This year I am baking bone-in center-cut pork chops stuffed with portobello mushrooms and sun-dried tomatoes. If anyone would like the recipe, let me know! And happy new year, y'all!

where in the states are you...this is first time I've ever heard a tradion like this....very interesting!!! I'm guessing Luisianna, perhaps? - bdclark0423, Dec 31, 2009

My family is from Texas and the black eyed peas meaning luck is something I am familiar with. I think it is a "South" thing. - Lasairfiona, Dec 31, 2009

I grew up in Georgia and live in North Carolina now. - LaBurra, Dec 31, 2009

well I've never ever heard of black-eyed peas for New Years, so YES please send me a simple recipe and/or list of other dishes typically used in your meal!!! - bdclark0423, Dec 31, 2009

Answer 3

¡fuegos artificiales!

Answer 4

Well, I'm Canadian and I've always hated New Year's because of all the kissing and hugging. So, at a young age, I started avoiding all the parties (when I was very young I would hide in my room) and I still do to this day. I mean, my husband and I don't attend parties (not much anyway, and no New Year's parties). But we do wish everyone we meet a happy and prosperous new year, etc. with a handshake, maybe a hug and a kiss, depending how close we are to the person. The people from this small village where I live do have parties but generally do not party all night, it's generally pretty civilized and people usually have a designated driver if they need to drive home afterwards. There isn't any fighting that I know of.

When I was young, my parents would pack all the kids in the car the day after New Year's and make the rounds to friend's and family's houses to wish everybody a happy new year all over again! A lot of people would do that, they called it 'la relèche' in French and it literally means 'the relicking'. Ugh! Yuck! (Maybe that's why I always tried to hide from it).jejeje

Answer 5

I am in Veracruz, Mexico and all my coworkers have told me that everyone drinks until sunup and then they have breakfast.

I'm planning a nap for later today so that I can participate.

Answer 6

Eat haggis, of course. It's Hogmanay, after all.

Answer 7

Champagne, fireworks, parties... I stayed at home this year and went to bed half an hour after midnight. I guess I'm just too tired to celebrate

Well, I probably would've much rather go to bed when you did! I didn't end up sleeping until 2:30 a.m. :( - hlsbookworm, Jan 1, 2010

Answer 8

Although I'm not sure we are considered the south, we do the black-eyed peas thing in Maryland too.

I saw some in the latino supermercado yesterday and I thought it was funny that they are called "Frijoles caritas!" Little faced beans hehe

jejeje, funny....well I've never ever heard of black-eyed peas for New Years, so I guess you always learn something new every day (year....) - bdclark0423, Dec 31, 2009