New Year’s Day

January 1 is the first day of a new year according to Gregorian calendar ( In the Gregorian calendar which the United States started observing in 1752 this date liturgically marked the Feast of the Naming and Circumcision of Jesus ). New Year’s Day is a federal holyday and also the most celebrated public holiday. All government offices, banks and schools are closed on this day. As well as most businesses are.

The New Year’s start symbolizes new beginning in different areas of life. It’s time to remember the passing year and time to make planes for the year coming. And of course it’s a great opportunity for relatives to gather at festive table, to give and receive presents, to enjoy spending time with family and friends. Lots of New Year’s resolutions are made. These are usually promises to themselves to stop smoking or drinking, to lose weight, exercise more or to live a healthy lifestyle.

New Year’s Celebrations usually include counting down to 12:00 on the preceding night, fireworks and fire crackers at midnight at the moment the new year arrives, toasting with champagne (New Year’s Day is considered the most drunk American holyday) . The ball drop at Times Square in New York City has become a national New Year’s festivity. Many parades, parties, concerts and festive TV shows are held. Special football games are played.

In American Hospitals there is a good tradition to give presents to babies born on New Year’s Day. They are even called New Year babies. The birth of the first baby in the New Year is celebrated with appearances on local news shows and in local newspapers. By the way, a male baby dressed in a diaper, a hat and a sash is a common symbol of New Year’s Day. It’s a Baby New Year. Print on his sash represents the year. Baby New Year grows up and ages in a single year. At the end of the year he becomes an old man and hands his role over to the next Baby New Year.

New Year’s Day is also traditionally a religious feast. Many people attend churches and observe Watchnight services.

On this wonderful day we want to remind you that the main goal of New Year’s Day celebration is to remind again about value of life on Earth, about importance of family and friendship, about love and support. Happy New Year!