Healthy Home Newsletter December Volume XVII Issue 12 | Page 5

New Years Eve Celebrations
--- United Kingdom ---
England celebrates the New Year by waiting for Big Ben (or another
clock) to strike midnight while enjoying a party. Usually, the partygoers
will countdown the last ten seconds; the chimes are normally
accompanied by Auld Lang Syne and fireworks. It is also a major
celebration in Scotland, where it is known as Hogmanay. The large street
parties held in Edinburgh, and George Square of Glasgow, are attended by
those all over the world, due to the reputation for celebration they have
collected. London’s celebrations are the most covered. Since the
construction of the London Eye, it has been the center-point of a huge
ten-minute fireworks display each year, illuminated with colored lasers.
--- Spain ---
Spanish New Year’s Eve celebrations usually begin with a family dinner,
traditionally including shrimps and lamb or turkey. The actual countdown
is primarily followed from the clock on top of the Casa de Correos building
in Puerta del Sol square in Madrid. It is traditional to eat 12 grapes, one on
each chime of the clock. This tradition has its origins in 1909, when grape
growers in Alicante thought of it as a way to cut down on the large
production surplus, they had had that year. Nowadays, the tradition is
followed by almost every Spaniard, and the 12 grapes have become
synonymous with the New Year. After the clock has finished striking
twelve, people greet each other and toast with sparkling wine such as
cava or champagne, or alternatively with cider.
--- France ---
The French call New Year’s Eve la Saint-Sylvestre. It is usually
celebrated with a feast called le Réveillon de Saint-Sylvestre. This feast
customarily includes special dishes and drinks like champagne and foie
gras. The celebration can be a simple, intimate dinner with friends and
family or a much fancier ball (une soirée dansante). During the celebration
of Año Viejo, Ecuadorian citizens burn anthropomorphic figures made of
wood, newspapers, and rags, which are then stuffed with fireworks. These
figures, known also as Año Viejo, represent symbolically the detritus of
the old year and are generally references to noteworthy events during the
past year. Often these have included hated political figures, pop-culture
references, etc.
Thank You!
Thanks to YOU the word is spreading! Thanks to all of my wonderful
clients who graciously refer me to their friends, family, and neighbours!
My business runs on the positive comments and referrals from people
just like you. I couldn’t do this without you! A special thanks to all these
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Bonnie and Wayne Thomson, Mary Jane Hall &
Joyce and Gavin James
T of Hanukkah
Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights,
commemorates the rededication of the
Jewish temple in Jerusalem in 165
B.C.E. The Greek-Syrian ruler Antiochus
IV had forbidden Jews to practice their
religion and forced them to worship
Greek gods instead. The Greeks seized
a Jewish temple and dedicated it to the
worship of Zeus. This incited a rebellion
led by Judah the Maccabee. Even
though the Maccabees were vastly
outnumbered, they were victorious.
When the Jews reclaimed their temple
on Mount Moriah, they relit the
menorah, or candelabrum, which ritual
dictated should burn throughout every
night. But there was only enough oil
on hand to last one night and preparing
new oil would take eight days.
Miraculously, the light burned for eight
days. Today, Jews light a candle each
day for eight days to celebrate the
event. This year, Hanukkah begins at
sundown on December 22 nd .
Thanks for
All the Kind Words!
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personnel and product.
Five more stars!
- Jane Robinson