New Year's Eve is a word associated with the end of the year since, according to the definition endorsed by the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE) , it describes the night that marks the end of each year .
It is a special day that takes place between traditions , memories and wishes of health , love and prosperity for the coming season. This date arrives when the Gregorian calendar marks December 31 and takes place on the same time worldwide, although the farewell to the old year is not simultaneous on the planet since a local time applies in each corner. It is common, therefore, for the countdown to the New Year's toast to be lived with the television on to follow the television broadcast of the celebrations in nations that do not share a time zone .
What is customary on New Year's Eve
On New Year's Eve it is customary to enjoy dinner with family and/or friends. Of course, how to live this holiday season depends on personal preferences or the situation you are going through on an individual level. More than one, for example, chooses to take a trip for that date and break with the tradition of the long table and many dishes with a special menu made up of a variety of appetizers , starters (or entrees), main courses and desserts. .
Others, meanwhile, have simpler plans but conceived from the desire to prioritize family unity and value food without allowing themselves to be frustrated, perhaps, by the impossibility of accessing luxuries such as, to indicate concrete realities, toast with champagne and eat seafood . Since the best is not always the most expensive or sophisticated, to welcome the new year in a fun way it is not necessary to invest large sums of money in a gala dinner decorated with candelabras and restricted to gourmet preparations. Music , joy , hugs , kisses , good vibes, something delicious to eat and drink and, ultimately, the well-being of loved ones are enough to live a beautiful and emotional night .
Rituals for the year that ends and the one that comes
By tradition or superstition, on New Year's Eve and New Year's Eve many people set up rituals for the year that ends and the year to come . In this type of practice, colors gain considerable prominence.
The toast at midnight is a New Year's Eve classic.
More and more people, to detail a specific choice, dress entirely in white for that celebration . The desire to attract harmony, renewal, purity and peace generally drives this choice of both women and men of different ages and nationalities. The case of underwear is different, since the preferred ones are red tones (associating them with passion and good luck) and yellow (understanding them as symbols of vitality and eternity). Believing in superstitions also drives several individuals to reinforce the chromatic effect with the practice of wearing their underwear inside out on New Year's Eve and leaving them correctly when they begin to move through the first hours of January.
Taking advantage of the previous days to send greeting cards to relatives, friends, coworkers or neighbors wishing them a good year, as well as to assemble a figure in community in order to comply with the ancient ritual of burning dolls are other ways. traditions typical of the last stretch of December .
In Argentina , Spain and other countries, when midnight arrives in many homes each of the twelve New Year 's bells is accompanied by the eating of a dozen lucky grapes .
The rituals to close each year even include a mental review or a very intimate individual process of recounting the year to rescue positive memories and learn from those negative moments, or not so good, in order to get rid of thoughts that are sad or not. add up and start a new cycle with hope, optimism and faith. To let go of the past and let it go, there are those who start on December 31 decreeing what they want with the purpose of attracting it and implement a routine very early on that combines relaxation baths to purify themselves, gratitude to the universe, the use of the broom to sweeping (energetically cleansing) the home and lighting candles .
At the end of New Year's Eve it is customary to raise glasses and toast, wishing to have a happy new year.
New Year's Eve Celebration
What to do and how to navigate the New Year's Eve celebration always depends on the personal situation, intentions, preferences and possibilities of each individual.
To the satisfaction of society as a whole, there is a wide range of alternatives available to the community.
Those who want to experience a celebration that transcends the typical family gathering at home can reserve a table at a restaurant that offers a dinner show or attend a nightclub , for example.
It is also worth keeping in mind that in some cities public events with shows and fireworks are organized to welcome the New Year with pure celebration. Regarding pyrotechnics , it is necessary to take advantage of this space to raise awareness since, although it is an attractive and very traditional product, it not only involves the investment of large sums of money to acquire it but is also dangerous and destabilizes (disturbs, frightens). with the noise of explosions to animals and people. It is more convenient, economical and healthy, therefore, to entertain yourself with party favors suitable for all ages and realities.