New Year message. History of the New Year in Russia

How to tell kids about Christmas

An interesting story about the New Year for children, interesting stories and New Year's poems.

New Year is coming

January is upon us.

The lights on the tree are bright,

And under the tree - gifts!

New Year travel

Having received gifts from St. Nicholas, Sasha and Alyonka began to wait for gifts from Santa Claus. After all, the New Year is coming soon!

Who first came up with the idea of ​​celebrating the New Year? Nobody knows for sure! After all, this day is celebrated by all peoples since ancient times. True, for every nation the New Year comes at its own time. In addition, there are many different traditions and customs.

For a long time, the ancient Slavs celebrated the New Year on March 1. They gave us the tradition of lighting lights on Christmas trees. Lighting a fire promised a good harvest. With the adoption of Christianity, the New Year began to be celebrated on September 1.

More than 300 years ago, in 1700, Tsar Peter I ordered the New Year to be celebrated on January 1st. At the same time, a tradition appeared to decorate Christmas trees, arrange fireworks and New Year's costumed carnivals.

Do you want to know more about how the New Year is celebrated in other countries? When the clock begins to strike midnight, the British open the back doors of the house. The old year is slowly coming out of them. With the last blow, the front doors are opened and the New Year is celebrated.

In Hungary, in the first second of the new year, children's pipes, horns and whistles begin to whistle. Thus, they drive away evil spirits from the house and call for joy.

In Germany, as soon as the clock starts to strike midnight, people of all ages climb onto chairs, tables and armchairs. And with the last blow, together with joyful greetings, they “jump” into the New Year. Just imagine what a noisy holiday they have!

In Italy, it is customary to throw out broken dishes, old clothes and even furniture from apartments at the last minute of the old year. Firecrackers, confetti, sparklers fly behind them. They say: if you throw away the old, you will buy a new one, even better. And all the children are waiting for the sorceress Befana, who arrives at night on a broomstick and enters the house through the chimney. The fairy fills children's shoes with gifts, specially hung by the fireplace.

Spaniards eat grapes on New Year's Eve. But not just eat, but also count. Berries should be exactly 12 - one for each of the twelve coming months.

In Scandinavia, in the first seconds of the new year, it is customary to grunt under the table to drive away illness and failure from the family.

In modern China, the New Year is a lantern festival. Only they celebrate it not on January 1, but change the date every time. On New Year's Eve, many small lanterns are lit in the streets and squares. The Chinese believe that sparks from them drive away evil spirits.

Japanese children celebrate the New Year in new clothes. It is believed that it will bring good luck and health. On New Year's Eve, children put a picture of their dream under the pillow. The wish must come true.

New Year in India can be celebrated eight times! On one of these days - Gudi Padva - you need to eat the leaves of the neem-nim tree. It is very bitter and unpleasant in taste. But the Indians believe that this foliage protects a person from diseases and troubles.

In Bulgaria, they traditionally celebrate the New Year at home. Before the start of the holiday, the youngest member of the family stands near the Christmas tree and sings carols to the guests. Grateful relatives give him gifts.

What is the name of Santa Claus?

In our country, the famous grandfather is Santa Claus. He is wearing a long red coat with white fur. Santa Claus has a long white beard and holds a staff in his hands. He comes to visit not only with gifts, but also with his assistant, granddaughter Snegurochka.

In the USA, Canada, Great Britain and Western Europe, Father Frost is called Santa Claus. He is dressed in a red jacket, decorated with white fur, and red trousers. On the head is a red cap.

There are two Santa Clauses in Sweden: the hook-nosed grandfather Yultomten and the dwarf Yulnissaar. Both on New Year's Eve leave gifts on the windowsills.

In Finland, New Year's grandfather is called Joulupukki. He has a tall cone-shaped hat and a red outfit. He is surrounded by gnomes in pointed hats and capes with white fur.

And the Estonian Santa Claus is called Yiuluvana. He looks like his friend Joulupukki.

There are also two Santa Clauses in France. One is called Per-Noel, which means "Father Christmas". He is kind and brings gifts to the children in a basket. The second is called Shaland. This bearded man wears a fur hat and a warm travel cloak. Hidden in his basket are rods for naughty and lazy children.

In Italy, the old fairy Befana comes to the children. She flies into the house through the chimney. Fairy brings gifts to good children, and naughty children get only ashes.

In Romania, the "snow grandfather" is called Mosh Krechun. He is very similar to our Santa Claus. In Uzbekistan, his name is Korbobo. He is dressed in a striped robe and a red skullcap. Corbobo rides a donkey loaded with sacks of New Year's gifts.

New Year in Russia is celebrated on the night of December 31 to January 1 for more than 300 years. Until the 15th century in Rus', the New Year was celebrated on March 1, and from the 15th to the 17th century, the holiday was celebrated on September 1 according to the Julian calendar. Only in 1700, Tsar Peter I, who in many ways tried to imitate the Western way of life, issued a decree to postpone the New Year celebrations to January 1. The decree turned out to be very funny, in our modern opinion:

“Because in Russia they consider the New Year in different ways, from now on stop fooling people's heads and count the New Year everywhere from the first of January. And as a sign of a good undertaking and fun, congratulate each other on the New Year, wishing well-being in business and prosperity in the family. In honor of the New Year, make decorations from fir trees, amuse children, ride sleds from the mountains. And for adults, drunkenness and massacre should not be committed - there are enough other days for that.

Since Rus', unlike other Western European countries, had not yet switched to the Gregorian calendar in the 17th century, there was a problem: in Rus', the New Year was celebrated according to the Old Style for a long time, that is, 13 days later than all of Europe. The first "winter" New Year in 1701 was solemnly held in the old capital, Moscow, on Red Square, with a military parade and fireworks. From 1704 the official festivities were moved to the new capital, Saint Petersburg. As expected, with fun, entertainment for children, feasts and parades. As for "drunkenness and massacre", here even the Great Peter was powerless to change something. There is nothing to hide, in Rus' they always walked violently!

Although, in fairness, it must be said that the "winter" New Year in Rus' was hardly making its way. If it weren’t for the tough character of Peter, who literally forced his subjects to FUNLY celebrate a new holiday, if it weren’t for the ingenuity of Elizabeth I, who began to arrange magnificent masquerade balls at court and free holidays for the people, this tradition would hardly have taken root. For many years, the inhabitants of All Rus' wanted to celebrate the New Year "the old fashioned way", on September 1. Generations changed, until this now beloved holiday took its rightful place in the calendar of the most solemn dates.

Traditions of the New Year in Rus'

It is curious that in the Petrine era, the main symbol of the New Year was not a magnificently decorated Christmas tree, but spruce or birch branches. There were no traditional New Year's toys until the 19th century either. The branches were decorated with fruits (most often, red apples), nuts, sweets, eggs. As a matter of fact, any edible things that had a rounded shape. The tradition of drinking champagne also did not exist until the middle of the 18th century: it appeared only after the defeat of the Napoleonic army, in 1813. French champagne "Madame Clicquot" has since become an invariable attribute of New Year's festivities. And now it is drunk with pleasure by those who can afford such a luxury.

In the 19th century, the New Year becomes one of the most beloved and long-awaited holidays. Throughout the country, magnificent mass celebrations, balls, feasts (always with fried pigs and radishes), and public Christmas trees are organized. Another unchanging symbol of the New Year appears - Santa Claus. True, while his popularity is not so great, and his constant companion, the granddaughter of the Snow Maiden, also does not accompany him yet.

How was the New Year celebrated in the 20th century

Since 1918, Russia has switched to the Gregorian calendar. This means that the people of the country start celebrating the New Year 13 days earlier. True, after the revolution, difficult times come for this wonderful holiday. Already in 1919, the new government canceled celebrations for both the New Year and Christmas. Until 1935, January 1 was officially considered a normal working day. Although many secretly continued to celebrate their favorite holiday.

Beginning in 1935, the New Year in Russia gets a second life. Gradually, those traditions that we all appreciate and love so much are returning: be sure to decorate the Christmas tree, drink champagne, lay a magnificent table, give gifts to each other. A new tasty custom also arises: to cook Olivier salad for the New Year, however, not with hazel grouse, as was customary among the French, but with ordinary boiled sausage. It was during these years that the Soviet New Year acquires two more main symbols, Santa Claus and the Snow Maiden.

New Year is a holiday forever

New Year's celebrations take center stage on the calendar these days. This is the main holiday of millions of people. This is a holiday that has gone through a lot, has a rich history and traditions, has seen both good and bad, was banned and reborn from the ashes. A holiday that, despite all the trials, has managed to maintain its charm and appeal over the centuries. A holiday that will live as long as we and our Earth exist.

New Year is a holiday celebrated by many peoples of the world. Not in all countries they meet him on the night of January 1, but everywhere they love and appreciate him. Already from the first days of December in all villages and cities there is a feeling of the approach of this winter celebration, which is considered the main holiday of the year. This is a day off, which in Russia also marks the beginning of a common, rather long, vacation. Traditionally, it is celebrated at home, next to the closest people, the holiday is considered a family holiday.

history of the holiday

On the night of December 31 to January 1, the New Year is not celebrated in all countries of the world. Very often, the main winter holiday is Christmas, and New Year's celebrations either end the Christmas period if Christmas is celebrated on December 25, or start in countries where Christmas is celebrated on January 7. In most countries of Southeast Asia, January 1 is a regular day, the new year is celebrated according to the lunar calendar, and in Israel, the main New Year's festivities take place in September, when Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is celebrated. There are no celebrations on New Year's Eve in Bangladesh, Vietnam, Iran, India, China, Saudi Arabia.

New Year is one of the main holidays of mankind, which can rightfully be considered one of the first to appear. It was celebrated as early as the third millennium BC in Mesopotamia. Historians assure that the holiday is even more ancient, this tradition is not less than five thousand years old. The ancient Egyptians celebrated it in a manner similar to modern day celebrations, with nightly festivities. Their New Year came in September, when the Nile flooded, which was an extremely important event. On January 1, Julius Caesar began to celebrate the holiday, he also established the custom of decorating houses.

In Rus', it was celebrated for a long time in spring and autumn, until Peter I postponed the celebration to early January. It is curious that in all Christian countries the New Year is a somewhat minor holiday compared to Christmas. In our country, this celebration is considered the main one for the reason that under the Soviet regime it was strictly forbidden to celebrate all church events.

Interesting and useful information about the New Year holiday.

From the history of the New Year holiday

Our Slavic ancestors counted the years by seasons. The year began on the first day of spring - March 1, when nature came to life and it was necessary to think about the future harvest. In the X century, Ancient Rus' adopted Christianity, the Byzantine chronology and the Julian calendar. The year was divided into 12 months and given them names associated with natural phenomena. March 1 was considered the beginning of the new chronology.

In 1348, a Council was held in Moscow, at which they adopted a provision to start the year from September, and not from March. And since 1700, by decree of Peter I, the New Year in Russia is celebrated, as in other European countries, on January 1 (according to the Julian calendar). But only starting from 1919, the New Year holiday in Russia began to be celebrated in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. From 1930 to 1947, January 1 was an ordinary working day in the USSR. And since 1947, January 1 has become a holiday and a day off. Since 2005, New Year holidays have been established in Russia from January 1 to January 5 (previously - only the 1st and 2nd) and these days are declared non-working, and taking into account the days off and Christmas - an official holiday - the weekend lasts 10 days.

If you are asked what is your favorite holiday after your birthday, you will probably answer: New Year. This is a holiday when you are not forced to go to bed early, but are seated at the table with adults. This is a holiday when you are looking forward to the end of the chiming clock to throw yourself under the tree and see what surprise Santa Claus has prepared for you. New Year is a vacation with mom and dad, it's sweets and tangerines, it's winter fun. New Year is the most favorite holiday in our country. He is loved by both adults and children. New Year is a holiday with fluffy white snow outside the window, the smell of fir branches, the sparkle of colorful toys and tinsel, obligatory fireworks, gifts, as well as elegant Santa Claus and the beautiful Snow Maiden. We have been waiting for it for a long time, and when the chimes strike at midnight on December 31, we rejoice in the coming year, hoping for better times, and sad, seeing off the outgoing year.

The first day of the year is one of the main holidays for many nations. In European countries, the new year begins on January 1st. In countries where the lunar or lunisolar calendar is adopted, the New Year falls on different dates of the solar year.

New Year's traditions of different countries

And now let's see how this fun holiday is celebrated in other countries.

England. In addition to the Christmas tree, the house is decorated with mistletoe sprigs. The English Santa Claus is called Santa Claus.

Italy. On New Year's Eve, it is customary to get rid of old things, old furniture and other rubbish. New Year is a symbol of renewal.

France. French Santa Claus - Pere Noel - leaves gifts not under the tree, like ours, but in shoes hanging and standing by the fireplace. On New Year's Eve baked in a bean pie. And the one who gets it receives the title of "bean king", and on a festive night everyone obeys his orders.

Sweden. On New Year's Eve, the children choose the queen of light, Lucia. She is dressed in a white dress and a crown with lit candles. Lucia brings gifts to the children and treats to the pets.

Bulgaria. When people gather at the festive table, the lights are turned off in all houses for three minutes. These minutes are called "minutes of New Year's kisses", the secret of which is kept by darkness.

Cuba. Before the onset of the new year, the inhabitants of the country fill all the jugs, buckets, basins and bowls that are in the house with water. At midnight, water is poured out of the windows. So for the outgoing year they wish a path as bright as water. While the clock strikes 12 times, it is necessary to eat 12 grapes, and then goodness, harmony, prosperity and peace will accompany a person all year.

Japan. Here, on New Year's Eve, the bells ring eight times. Each stroke of the bell corresponds to one of the vices. According to the Japanese, there are six of them: greed, stupidity, anger, frivolity, indecision and envy, but each vice has 18 different shades. This adds up to 108 beats of the bell.

Russian New Year traditions

There are quite a few traditions of celebrating the New Year in Russia. From the times of Slavic paganism, we got mummers, buffoons and jesters. The era of Peter the Great and subsequent centuries brought into the tradition of the holiday a New Year tree with toys, fireworks and a New Year's table with Russian salad, vinaigrette stuffed with goose or duck, Santa Claus with the Snow Maiden, obligatory champagne with tangerines on the table and the chiming clock on the Kremlin's Spassky Tower.

In your house, most likely, your mother or grandmother will take care of the New Year's table. It would be nice if you also take part in the preparation of the festive table. And to participate in decorating the New Year tree and the room is a great pleasure. When decorating a Christmas tree, they first hang an electric garland with light bulbs (but not home-made - they don’t joke with fire!), Then - toys: first large, then small. Do not hang decorations of the same shape and color next to each other. Lastly, they put a spire on the top of the Christmas tree and scatter a brilliant “rain”.

Christmas tree. History

When the first Christmas tree appeared in Rus', it is not known exactly. But, most likely, the first Christmas trees appeared in the middle of the 19th century in the houses of St. Petersburg Germans. Living in a foreign land, they have not forgotten their traditions and habits, ceremonies and rituals.

Following the Germans, in the Russian homes of the St. Petersburg nobility, they also began to put Christmas trees for children. They were decorated with wax candles and lanterns, flowers and ribbons, nuts, apples and sweets. Initially, on New Year's Eve, the tree stood for one day, then these periods were increasingly lengthened: two days, three, until Epiphany or until the end of Christmas time. There was a period in our history when the Christmas tree was even banned. But from December 31, 1935, she again entered the homes of Russians and to this day is a symbol of "joyful and happy childhood in our country."

DIY Christmas decorations

You will need: a needle and thread, scissors, an awl, glue (it is better to take PVA - when it dries, it becomes transparent), sequins, colored paper, wrapping paper, paints and brushes, felt-tip pens, cotton balls, threads, paper clips, multi-colored woolen threads.

Garland "Falling snow" can be made from cotton. To do this, short strings are tied to a long thin thread at short intervals. Cotton balls are strung on each short thread. Below, so that the balls do not slip, the thread is smeared with glue. Such a garland can be hung directly on the window or in the doorway.

Wonderful toys are made from eggshells. In a washed raw egg, with a thick needle or awl, carefully make holes on both sides. Blow the contents of the egg into a bowl. We wash the shell with running water and dry it. Now it can be used to make toys. The egg can be painted with paint or felt-tip pens, you can glue various details cut out of paper to it: paws, ears, tails and hats, turning it into a funny little animal or little man: a hare, a chicken, a fish, a nested doll, a gnome, a penguin. To make it more convenient to paint the eggshell with paints, stick a piece of plasticine on the saucer and carefully place the eggshell on it. To prevent the paint from getting dirty, at the end of the work, sprinkle the toy with sparkles and spray it with hairspray.

If the Christmas tree is small, do not overload it with bulky toys.

The size of ornaments from the lower branches to the upper ones gradually decreases. Do not hang too many decorations on the Christmas tree - it looks tasteless.

In the old days, various edible decorations were hung on the Christmas tree. Why not revive this custom?

Try to decorate the Christmas tree with edible toys - tangerines, apples, candies in bright wrappers, walnuts wrapped in gold foil, chocolate medals and other chocolate figurines.

Now let's try to decorate the branches of the Christmas tree and cones with snow. To do this, we rub the polystyrene on a grater, grease the branches of spruce, pine and cones on them with transparent glue and sprinkle with grains of polystyrene.

We arrange the branches in vases throughout the room.

This created the atmosphere of a fabulous winter forest.

Celebration of the New Year for each person has a special value. For many, this event is associated with the crunch of snow underfoot, the smell of tangerine and spruce, and a warm homely atmosphere. Children's laughter, chimes, fireworks and a richly decorated table are the main attributes of the holiday. Each of us remembers his New Year's fairy tale - a special New Year, which has remained in memory for a lifetime. But few people thought about where the tradition of celebrating the New Year came from. A short digression into history will help us figure out what, where it came from and what it eventually turned into.

Back to basics

Peter the Great invited the inhabitants of Russia to celebrate the New Year. In 1699, he issued a decree according to which on the night of January 1 of each year (according to the Julian calendar), all the inhabitants of the country celebrate the arrival of the new year. The festivities lasted 7 days - during this period, cannons thundered near the Kremlin every evening, and volleys from smaller guns were fired in private courtyards. The gates of the houses were decorated with spruce and juniper branches, and resin barrels hung on the pillars, which were set on fire and gave solemnity to the holiday. Already in those days, it was customary to decorate spruce with wooden toys, nuts and all kinds of sweets. All innovations were borrowed from European neighbors. Up to this point, the New Year was celebrated in September - during the collection of taxes and harvest.

In this way, the New Year was celebrated for several centuries, until the revolution of 1918, when New Year's festivities were completely banned. Only in 1937 the tradition was revived, and in 1947 January 1 was declared a day off. Since then, the New Year's weekend has evolved and gradually turned into a real vacation, which, at the moment, lasts up to 10 days.

Traditions of our days

For more than 300 years, Russians have been celebrating the New Year, and during this period, many traditions have joined the celebration, both European or American, as well as native, Soviet ones. The symbol of the holiday was a grandfather with a white beard, whose name is Santa Claus.

The Russian Santa Claus also appeared for a reason - this is a modified version of the American Santa Claus. Santa Claus has an assistant - a girl from the snow named Snegurochka. Every year, starting from the first days of December, this couple attends various New Year's events that are held in kindergartens, schools, and cultural centers. Children traditionally dance around a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, recite poems, sing songs and receive wonderful gifts from Grandfather Frost. The atmosphere of a real holiday reigns around - carnival costumes, confetti and tangerines delight children and are remembered for many years.

Since 1998, the Russian Santa Claus has settled in a city called. There is his residence, souvenir shop and post office. A large number of letters from Russian children come to Veliky Ustyug from all over the country, and not a single letter remains unanswered. In letters, children ask for what they lack. These are mostly toys, but there are also touching letters that make not only Santa Claus, but also all his assistants shed tears.

What is customary to do on New Year's Eve today?

It is customary to celebrate the New Year with family, among relatives and close friends. Preparation for the celebration lasts all December. During this period, shop windows are full of New Year's cards, gifts, bright signs. The main squares of almost all cities in Russia are decorated with huge fir trees, under which Father Frost with the Snow Maiden and various cartoon characters roam.

People are in pre-holiday euphoria and for days on end they paint a plan for celebrating New Year's Eve. Gifts are bought, a festive menu is compiled, and on December 31, almost all alcohol and delicacies disappear from the shelves of all stores in the country.

Recently, the New Year has been "repainted" in two main colors - red and green. Deer in teams appeared, an abundance of bells and New Year's wreaths, which were also borrowed abroad. There are also traditions that have been firmly rooted since the times of the USSR and are rightfully considered Russian - this is drinking champagne to the chiming clock, the well-known Olivier salad on the table and sparklers, without which it is difficult to imagine a New Year's festivities.

December 31 is the main day of preparation. On this day, people strive to complete all unfinished business, pay off debts, put the house in order, and decorate the New Year tree. It is believed that entering the new year without closing the tails of the old, outgoing year is a bad omen. “As you meet the New Year, so you will spend it,” is the most common saying that walks among the people. In many homes, it is the decoration of the Christmas tree that becomes an annual tradition, and this is usually done by the whole family.

The spirit of the holiday is already in the air, pickled aromas are heard from the kitchen, and the children sing the song “A Christmas tree was born in the forest” and hook colorful balls and cones, sweets, silvery “rain” on green branches. New Year's films are on TV all day long, which many Russians have already parsed into quotes and learned by heart. The good old "Irony of Fate, or Enjoy Your Bath!", "Gentlemen of Fortune", "Girls", "Diamond Hand", "Carnival Night" - this is not a complete list of cult films, without which no New Year in Russia.

Culmination of New Year's Eve

The meeting of the New Year begins with the farewell to the Old. Usually by 22-00 the table is already laid, the guests are dressed in festive clothes, and on TV on all TV channels the Blue Lights are broadcast in full swing. Those gathered at the table discuss the events of the outgoing year, sum up the results and wish each other to multiply what has been achieved and conquer new heights. On the table, as a rule, there is salad "Olivier", "Herring under a fur coat", jelly and cabbage rolls. Recently, having had enough of the above dishes, the Russians began to cook more sophisticated dishes, using either their imagination or drawing ideas from their foreign neighbors. The New Year's table must certainly be rich, this is another popular belief. In order not to starve in the coming year, you need to meet him well and richly.

The climax of the holiday is approaching - the New Year's speech of the head of state and the chiming clock. Usually a speech addressed to the citizens of the Russian Federation begins at 23-55 and is broadcast by the media. The head of state sums up the results, gives a brief report on the work done over the year and wishes everyone good luck and prosperity in the New Year.

The tradition of such an appeal was introduced by the speech of L. I. Brezhnev in 1976. During this time, not without incidents. So, in 1991, the President entrusted his speech duties to the famous satirist Mikhail Zadornov, and in 2000, viewers received double congratulations. At noon the citizens were congratulated by President B. N. Yeltsin, who announced his resignation, and at midnight the Russians celebrated the New Year with the new President - V. V. Putin.

Exactly at 00-00 the chiming clock is heard. These sounds encourage opening champagne and making wishes. It is customary to believe that a wish made at this moment will surely come true. Some manage to write it on a piece of paper during the chiming clock, burn it, and dissolve the ashes in a glass of champagne. According to some people, this ritual multiplies the likelihood that a wish will come true. Fireworks are massively launched from all windows, joyful cries and congratulations are heard in every house. Many people go out into the street and start fireworks, in the squares people sing songs and congratulate each other. Those who oversleep the New Year will be lethargic and sleepy in the coming year, for this reason people have fun until they drop, wandering home only in the morning.

As you can see, the celebration of the New Year in Russia has its own unique history. The Russians borrowed a lot, but there are also traditions that are unique to the citizens of the Russian Federation. For example, what could be more beautiful than a Russian bath on December 31st? With pure thoughts in a pure body, any holiday becomes brighter!

Celebrate with a light soul and heart, leave all the grievances in the outgoing year, celebrating the New Year with a positive attitude and fresh energy. Give your loved ones a holiday, at least once a year, but it's worth it. Gathering the whole family at one table is what is valuable, saying the main words of love to loved ones and relatives is irreplaceable, seeing tears of happiness in children's eyes is what you cannot buy for any money! Be generous in words and deeds, this will bring you good luck in the New Year!