New Year is probably the largest and most celebrated holiday. But in many countries, the celebration takes place in a completely different way. We have collected the most unusual New Year traditions from different countries, so that on the eve of the holiday you can even more imbued with the spirit of the New Year!
Greece
Unusual traditions of this country are associated with plants: On December 31, it is customary for the Greeks to expose the root of the sea onion beyond the threshold of the house.The next morning, his mother picks him up and knocks all the sleeping family members with it;
a few minutes before the arrival of the New Year, the entire Greek family goes out into the yard and waits for midnight. With its onset, relatives congratulate each other, and the most successful of them smashes pomegranates on the threshold of the house, and only after that everyone enters the house, always with the right foot.
Italy
Everyone knows that on New Year's Eve it is customary for Italians to throw out everything unnecessary from windows and balconies, including pieces of furniture. In reality, this is a myth to attract tourists. And here's what their celebrations really stand out for:
costumes: on New Year's Eve, all the inhabitants of the country are dressed in clothes of the colors of the Santa costume. Every Italian has something red - be it socks, underwear or the whole image;
by eating raisins: Italians have an unusual tradition of eating as much dried grapes as possible directly from the bunches. They believe that this ritual will bring them wealth in the coming year, because raisins are associated with coins.
Netherlands
The only time of the year when fireworks are allowed in Holland is from 10am on December 31st to 2am on January 1st. In addition to them, the streets are lit by fires, in which Christmas trees serve as firewood. So quickly the Dutch are parting not only with Christmas trees - it is customary to present gif.webpts on December 5th, often to receive them you need to go through a whole quest.
Austria
The Austrians call December 31 St. Sylvester's Day or Old Year's Day. People in the costumes of Perchten, a mythical character who looks more like a devil, walk the streets. They ring a bell, thereby announcing the departure of the current year. On the first day of January, the Austrians begin the carnival season, which continues until Lent.
Denmark
The Danes are lucky to have not one, but two Santa Clauses - the old big Yulemanden and the young little Yulenisse. An obligatory dish on the New Year's table is a large bowl of rice porridge with a secret - almonds or any other nut. Whoever gets it will certainly be happy next year.
Denmark has an interesting and unusual New Year's way to preserve conifers, it would not hurt to borrow it as well. Foresters treat spruce with a special agent, which begins to smell very unpleasant and harsh in the warm conditions of living quarters. Therefore, no one chops down living trees there.
Norway
On the eve of the holiday, the Norwegians visit the temple to receive the blessing to enter the new year. It is not accepted to congratulate with gif.webpts on this holiday, the exception is a box of matches, as a symbol of warmth and prosperity. Children expect gif.webpts from the goat. To lure her in, the toddler's Christmas socks and boots are filled with hay for the animal to eat. And in the morning, instead of goat food, there are sweets for the children. Residents of the country are limited to a traditional dinner with a family.
Germany
In general, New Year's celebrations in Germany are similar to ours. But they have one amusing and cheerful tradition: to jump on chairs with their feet as soon as the chimes begin to beat and jump with the last knock with joyful shouts and congratulations. Germans of all ages do this.
