
With only a few days to go, 2012 will soon be here bringing with it a new era, new hope, new possibilities, and hopefully a new economy!!! We at beruby will also be bringing you some wonderful surprises and new opportunities in the upcoming year.
Being that this is the last blog of the year, we wanted to share some traditions that take place around the world on New Years Eve and hope that we can also contribute and create our own traditions that will last a lifetime.
New Years is the one of the oldest celebrations, first observed in Ancient Babylon with a celebration that lasted eleven days that marked the first new moon. It has only been during the last 400 years, that New Years has been celebrated by Western nations, observing January 1st as the day of commemoration.
Since then New Years Eve celebrations have taken shape all over the world with a variety of traditions that vary among countries. Here in Spain for example it is customary to shove twelve grapes in your mouth with each chime of the bell when the clock strikes midnight. This tradition began in 1909, when the grape growers in the south of Spain used it as a way to cut down on their surplus for the year. It is a tradition that stuck. This is a common tradition in Mexico as well. Additionally in both Spain and Mexico, New Years Eve is spent having a large dinner with the family which is a sharp contrast to the excessive partying that tends to occur in the United States and the United Kingdom. Those who do like to celebrate with a night out, typically go and celebrate after eating the grapes and spending time with their families.
Although New Year’s Eve in the United State does include being with the family, a majority of people celebrate by attending elaborate in parties waiting for the 11,875-pound Waterford crystal ball to drop in Times Square. Since 1917, the Times Square ball dropping has been one of the biggest traditions in the New Year celebration in the US.
The United Kingdom, with the exception of Scotland who celebrate Hogmanay, celebrate New Years with fireworks at the Eye of London and the Big Ben clock. Parties take place all over the country, in pubs, clubs and private houses. At the stroke of midnight people gather together and sing Auld Lang Syne and watch the fireworks display.
We at beruby wish you and your loved ones a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2012 and look forward to seeing and working with you in the new year.
And now we leave you with our favorite version of Auld Lang Syne….
