Holiday Celebrations

How do you celebrate the New Year? We've gathered some information from friends, family and research on the web and listed them below. Do you have more to add? Please feel free to submit a comment and images if you have any!

Cambodia
Chaul Chnam Thmey
In Cambodia, New Year’s is celebrated in April. The New Year is called Chaul Chnam Thmey which literally means entering the New Year. In preparation for the New Year, houses are cleaned and decorated. An altar decorated with food, flowers, incense and a Buddha statue is set up to welcome the New Year Spirit Tevada Chhnam Thmey.

China
Yuan Tan
The Chinese follow the lunar calendar therefore New Year’s Day occurs sometime in January or February. In preparation for the New Year, houses are cleaned and decorated to appease Tsao-Chun the Kitchen God believed to visit their homes on New Year’s Day. Families gather for dinner and children are given lai-see, red envelopes with money. Ancestors are honored by leaving food by pictures or altars in the home.

Ethiopia
Enkutatash
In Ethiopia, Enkutash is celebrated on September 11 following the Orthodox Julian calendar. Enkutatash means the "gift of jewels."

Greece
Festival of Saint Basil
New Year’s Day is also the Festival of Saint Basil who was famous for his kindness. Greek children leave their shoes by the fire on New Year's Day with the hope that he will come and fill the shoes with gifts.

India
Diwali
Diwali is a centuries old (India) Hindu tradition and marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year ocurring during the Hindu month of Aippasi (October/November). The fesitval of Diwali lasts 5 days and celebrates the victory of good over evil.

Iran
No Ruz
In Iran, the New Year is celebrated on March 21. No Ruz literally means New Day. During the 13 day New Year period, families visit one another and gifts are exchanged.

Israel
Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah, literally meaning head of the year is the Jewish New Year occurring during Tishri, the seventh month of the Jewish calendar. It also marks the beginning of a ten day Holy period ending with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, a time for reflection and prayer.

Mexico
Ano Nuevo
Many Mexicans eat 12 grapes and make 12 wishes (one for each gong on the clock at midnight.)

Japan
Oshogatsu
On January 31, New Year’s eve, soba (buckwheat noodles) is cooked and eaten symbolizing longevity. Traditionally, it is believed that first day of the New Year determines the course of the rest of the year. Therefore, the day is supposed to be full of happiness and free of anger and stress. Children receive otoshidamas which are small gifts with money inside.

Philippines
Araw ng Bagong Taon
For New Year's, it is customary to make sure the house is cleaned, all dirty laundry washed, and windows are left open to welcome the New Year spirits in the home. Families gather together and eat traditional foods.

Vietnam
Tet Nguyen Dan
Tet Nguyen Dan literally means the first morning of the first day of the new period. The Vietnamese people follow the lunar calendar so the New Year, “Tet” does not fall on the same date each year, although it is always in January or February. It is believed that the first days of the New Year determine the course of the rest of the year. As such, people refrain from arguments, children behave, and families make special efforts to gather together.

Please note that all reference to dates is based on the Gregorian Calendar which is the calendar system used in the United States. Many countries follow other calendars, therefore their New Year’s Day fall on a different date than in the United States.

Lesson Idea for Teachers:
Have students share how their family celebrates New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. What preparations are done? What rituals, if any, occur? What food is prepared?