Usually at this time of year we have - WebRing

Usually at this time of year we have our final Letter for the year and it has something to
do with Christmas, but this year I decided to put a little twist in and we are going to
celebrate New Year. As New Year is in the middle of our summer break we don‟t do
many activities about New Year.
Below is a Poem about the end of the year. It is followed by a list of ways that different
cultures, faiths or countries have or still do celebrate the start of a New Year.
The Year
by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
What can be said in New Year rhymes,
That's not been said a thousand times?
The new years come, the old years go,
We know we dream, we dream we know.
We rise up laughing with the light,
We lie down weeping with the night.
We hug the world until it stings,
We curse it then and sigh for wings.
We live, we love, we woo, we wed,
We wreathe our brides, we sheet our dead.
We laugh, we weep, we hope, we fear,
And that's the burden of the year.
1) Baby New Year Tradition
The tradition of using a baby to signify the New Year was started around 600 B.C by the
ancient Greeks, who, at the start of a year would carry a baby around in a basket. The
purpose of it was to honor Dionysus, the God of Fertility and symbolize his annual rebirth.
2) Hogmanay
The New Year in Scotland is called Hogmanay. The people in Scotland follow a ritual that
appears nutty but actually has a great significance. One can find barrels of tar set afire
and gradually rolled down the streets in the villages of Scotland. This ritual symbolizes
that the old year is burned up and New Year is going to begin.
3) Burning "Mr. Old Year"
In Columbia, Cuba and Puerto Rico families stuff a life-size male doll with things and then
they dress it up in old clothes from each family member. At the stroke of midnight, this 'Mr.
Old Year' is set on fire. This is done with the simple belief that a doll thus stuffed have bad
memories or sadness associated with them, and that the burning of these will help one
to do away with all past grief's and usher in happiness in life with the coming year.
4) Eating Noodles
Late on the evening of December 3 1, people of Japan would eat a bowl of buckwheat
noodles called "toshikoshisoba" ("year-crossing noodles") and listen for the sound of the
Buddhist temple bells, which were rung 108 times at midnight. The sound of these bells is
said to purify the listeners of the 108 sins or evil passions that plague every human being.
5) Eating 12 Grapes
In Spain people eat 12 grapes as the clock strikes midnight (one each time the clock
chimes) on New Year's Eve. This peculiar ritual originated in the twentieth century when

freak weather conditions resulted in an unseasonable bumper harvest of grapes. Not
able to decide what to do about so many grapes at Christmas time, the King of Spain
and the grape growers came up with the idea of the New Year ritual.
6) Gifts in Shoes
In Greece children leave their shoes by the fireside on New Year's Day (also the Festival
of Saint Basil in Greece) with the hope that Saint Basil, who was famous for his kindness,
will come and fill their shoes with gifts.
7) Carrying a Suitcase
In Venezuela, Argentina, Bolivia, and Mexico, those with hopes of traveling in the New
Year carry a suitcase around the house at midnight. Some even carry it around the
block to ensure traveling at greater distances.
8) Burning Crackers
The people in China believe that there are evil spirits that roam the earth. So on New
Year they burn crackers to scare the evil spirits. The doors and windows of every home in
china can be seen sealed with paper. This is to keep the evil demons out.
9) Times Square Celebrations
The first Ball Lowering celebration atop One Times Square was held on December 31,
1907 and is now a worldwide symbol of the turn of the New Year, seen via satellite by
more than one billion people each year. The original New Year's Eve Ball weighed 700
pounds and was 5 feet in diameter. It was made of iron and wood and was decorated
with 100 25-watt light bulbs.
10) Foods
It was thought that one could affect the luck they would have throughout the coming
year by what they did or ate on the first day of the year. It is still held in some regions that
special New Year foods are the harbingers of luck. For that reason, the Dutch believe
that eating donuts on New Year's Day will bring good fortune. The hog, and its meat, is
considered lucky because it symbolizes prosperity. Cabbage is another "good luck"
vegetable that is consumed on New Year's Day by many. Cabbage leaves are also
considered a sign of prosperity, being representative of paper currency. In some regions,
rice is a lucky food that is eaten on New Year's Day. The ancient Persians gave New
Year's gifts of eggs, which symbolized productiveness.
11) Black-eyed peas
Many parts of the U.S. celebrate the new year by consuming black-eyed peas. These
legumes are typically accompanied by either hog jowls or ham. Black-eyed peas and
other legumes have been considered good luck in many cultures.
12) Rings
Many cultures believe that anything in the shape of a ring is good luck, because it
symbolizes "coming full circle," completing a year's cycle.
13) Wearing new slippers
In China, many people wear in the new year a new pair of slippers that is bought before
the new year, because it means to step on the people who gossip about you.
14) Sealed doors & windows
During new year , the doors and windows of every home in china can be seen sealed

with paper. The Chinese think that this will succeed in keep the evil demons out.
15) Jewish New Year
The Jewish New Year is called Rosh Hashanah. It is a holy time when Jews recall the
things they have done wrong in the past, and then promise to do better in the future.
Special services are held in the synagogues, children are given new clothes and New
Year loaves are baked to remind people of harvest time.
16) Japanese New Year
On New Year's Day in Japan, everyone gets dressed in their new clothes. Homes are
decorated with pine branches and bamboo, both of which are considered to be the
symbols of long life.
17) American resolutions
40 to 45% of American adults make one or more New Year's resolutions each year. And
these range from debt reduction to giving up bad habits to what not? But the ones that
are the most common deal with weight loss to exercise to giving up smoking.
I hope you have enjoy these New Year activities. New year is simply the perfect time to
make resolutions and take on the coming year with open arms. Have a blast!
Brownies & Guides
This can be a Theme if you complete 6 of the following
Learn to say “Happy New Year” in 6 languages
Make a 2009 Calendar
Make a Diwali design
Make a Chinese dragon (Guides)
or fireworks picture (Brownies only)
Make a hot air balloon or Kite
Make a list of New Year resolutions
Make a Yule log
Sing Auld Lang Syne
Make a Shofar
Make a Kwanzaa candle (Brownies only)
Cook a Kwanzaa festival dish (Guides)
Rangers
This can be an own syllabus Faith or International Interest certificate depending on what
activities you choose to do. You need to complete 8 but some are only suitable to one
certificate
Learn to say “Happy New Year” in 6 languages (International only)
Make a 2009 Calendar (International only)
Make a Diwali design
Make a Chinese dragon or fireworks picture
Make a hot air balloon or Kite (faith only)
Make a list of New Year resolutions
Make a Yule log
Sing Auld Lang Syne
Make a Shofar
Cook a Kwanzaa festival dish

How to Say
Happy New Year
In Many Languages
Chinese (Cantonese)
Gung hay fat choy
(a New Year greeting meaning, "May you become prosperous.")
Sun nien fai lok
(meaning, "Happy new year")
Chinese (Mandarin)
Xin nian yu kuai
Danish
Godt Nytår
Dutch
Gelukkig nieuwjaar
Farsi
Aide shoma mobarak
French
Bonne année
Gaelic
Aith-bhliain Fe Nhaise Dhuit
German
Gutes Neues Jahr
Hawaiian
Hauoli Makahiki Hou
Hebrew
Shanah tovah
Hmong
Nyob zoo xyoo tshiab
Indonesian
elamat Tahun Baru
Italian
Buon Capo d'Anno
Japanese
Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu

Norwegian
Godt Nyttår
Pilipino (Tagalog)
Maligayang Bagong Taon
Polish
Szczesliwego Nowego roku
Portuguese
Feliz ano novo
Romanian
La Multi Ani
Russian
S Novym Godom
Spanish
Feliz Año Nuevo
Sudanese
Wilujeng Tahun Baru
Swedish
Gott Nytt År
Turkish
Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun
Welsh
Blwyddyn Newydd Dda

A New Year's Resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a project or the
reforming of a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as
advantageous. The name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into
effect on New Year's Day and remain until fulfilled or abandoned. There are religious
parallels to this secular tradition. For example, in Judaism's holiest holiday, Yom Kippur,
one is to reflect upon one's wrongdoings over the year and both seek and offer
forgiveness. The concept, regardless of creed, is to reflect upon self-improvement
annually.
My New Year's Resolutions
I will not throw the cat out the window
Or put a frog in my sister's bed
I will not tie my brother's shoelaces together
Nor jump from the roof of Dad's shed
I shall remember my aunt's next birthday
And tidy my room once a week
I'll not moan at Mum's cooking (Ugh! fish fingers again!)
Nor give her any more of my cheek.
I will not pick my nose if I can help it
I shall fold up my clothes, comb my hair,
I will say please and thank you (even when I don't mean it)
And never spit or shout or even swear.
I shall write each day in my diary
Try my hardest to be helpful at school
I shall help old ladies cross roads (even if they don't want to)
And when others are rude I'll stay cool.
I'll go to bed with the owls and be up with the larks
And close every door behind me
I shall squeeze from the bottom of every toothpaste tube
And stay where trouble can't find me.
I shall start again, turn over a new leaf,
leave my bad old ways forever
shall I start them this year, or next year
shall I sometime, or .....?
- Robert Fisher

As well as writing resolutions you might like to these also
A Time Capsule of Favorites
Every New Year‟s Day make a list of favorites for every family member. Write down the
answers and then put them into an envelope with the year‟s date on it. Do this every
year using the same questions. It will be fun for the entire family to read everyone‟s old
lists and see how their life and values have changed. Ask a variety of questions so that
the abilities of every member of the family (from the three-year-old to the ninety-threeyear-old
are met). Here are some questions to get you started.
What is your favorite color?
What is your favorite food?
What is your favorite song?
Who are your friends?
What are a few of your favorite memories from last year?
What do you think you will do this year?
Who would you like to meet this year?
Where would you like to go this year?
Out With the Old, In With the New Album
Have every member of the family draw, cut out, or take two pictures. One picture
should represent a favorite event from the last year. The second should represent a
desire for the upcoming year. Have everyone write a little bit at the bottom of their
picture explaining what it means. Put them in an album. After a few years you will have
a unique album that shows each family member‟s perspective on a given year.
If you want to emphasize out with the old, include a second set of images reflecting a
bad experience from the past year and an image of something about the upcoming
year that is nerve-wracking. Again, everyone should write a little at the bottom of their
picture explaining it. It provides the person with a way to deal with a negative event that
happened in the last year and gives them an opportunity to explore options for dealing
with what makes them nervous.
By emphasizing the transition from old to new and by allowing the child to reflect on the
past in a positive way without burdening them with lists for the future, you create a
holiday of positive traditions not one with old baggage.

Write your own New Year’s resolutions
These can be things you would like to change or things you would like to achieve

The Festival of Lights
This year (2008), Diwali falls on 28th October. In 2009, Diwali will be celebrated on 17th October.
Diwali is celebrated by Hindus in India and all around the world in October or November. It is the Hindu
New Year and is either a 3-day or 5-day holiday depending on where you come from.
It is a very exciting and colourful holiday. Homes are cleaned to welcome the New Year
and windows are opened so that the Hindu goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, can enter. It is
believed that she cannot enter a house which is not lit up, so every household burns
special Diwali clay lamps (diyas) to light the way for the goddess, which is why the
holiday is also known as the Festival of Lights.

Rangoli is an integral part in the dazzling celebrations of Diwali. The age-old tradition is a
fascinating art which requires a high amount of meticulousness, artistic sense and
creativity. The Rangoli designs (like those above) are passed down through generations,
with some of them being hundreds of years old. Though the designs vary in different
sections of India, the basic approach is common. The designs are geometric and
proportioned. It has been a tradition in culturally rich India to draw Rangoli on the
festivals and other auspicious occasions as it is considered a holy ritual. There is a unique
relationship between the festival of diwali and rangoli. Diwali is a major festival of India
and drawing rangoli on diwali is a part of diwali celebrations.
The patterns are made with finger using rice powder, crushed lime stone, or colored
chalk. They may be made with grains, pulses, beads, or flowers.
However, all said and done, the theme and design of a Diwali Rangoli is dependent
upon the creativity and imagination of an individual. Rangoli can be improvised into
diverse visual art forms. There is really no limit to what you can do with a Rangoli.
Because of this aspect of Rangoli, some Hindu communities in India actually organize
Rangoli competitions during Diwali celebrations and prizes are given for the best designs.

What is Kwanzaa?
Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday celebrated mainly in the US for the week
between 26th December and 1st January each year.
The holiday was established in 1966 to help African Americans remember and celebrate
their heritage. The word "Kwanzaa" comes from the Swahili language and means "first
fruits". Each day of the seven days is dedicated to one of "The Seven Principles of
Kwanzaa", which are
1. umoja - to maintain unity in the family and community
2. kujichagulia - self-determination, to be responsible and speak for oneself
3. ujima - collective work and responsibility, to build and maintain a community
4. ujamaa - economic co-operation, to help and profit one another
5. nia - purpose, to build and develop the community for the benefit of the people
6. kuumba - creativity, to do everything possible to
leave the community more beautiful and beneficial
for future generations
7. imani - faith, to believe in parents, teachers and
leaders.
A candle is lit each day on the special candlestick,
the "kimara", to represent these principles. The kimara
is placed on a mkeka, a traditional straw mat, and
one ear of corn is also placed on the mat for each
child in the family. A fruit basket, called a "mazao", is
also displayed, along with a special "unity" cup, out of
which everyone drinks. Families decorate their homes
with traditional African crafts. The colors red, green and black - representing the African
flag - are used. Gifts, known as "zawadi", are given on the last day of Kwanzaa.

DLTK's Kwanzaa Candle
This pretend Kwanzaa candle is made with a toilet paper tube, a printer and a
little imagination. It goes well as a table decoration along with the matching
Kwanzaa napkin rings.
Print out the template of choice.
Colour (where appropriate) and cut out the template pieces.
Glue the large rectangular piece on first to cover the tube.
Glue the flame to the top of the "candle".
Glue on the ears of corn in whatever way you choose to decorate
the candle.
Set the candle on top of a round piece of construction paper or a
doily so you don't get imaginary wax all over the place.
Use sparkles, sparkle glue, or felt to decorate some more.
Use pieces of lace or ribbon to trim the bottom of the candle or the
edge of the doily.

Kwanzaa Recipes
Sweet Potato Pie
2 c Sweet potatoes, drained
4 T Margarine,melted
3 Eggs
1 c Sugar
1 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 tsp Grated nutmeg
3/4 c Milk
1 tsp Vanilla
1 9" pie shell, baked
1/4 c Chopped pecans
Use a food processor or fork to mash sweet potatoes together with melted margarine. Blend in eggs, sugar, cinnamon
and nutmeg. Add milk and vanilla. Pour mixture into baked pie shell. Microwave on 70% (medium high) 7 minutes.
Sprinkle pecans over surface of pie. Rotating midway through cooking,
microwave on 70 % (medium high) 6 to 8 minutes or until center no longer jiggles. If you prefer, you can bake it in the
oven at 375 degrees for about 35-45 minutes or until it doesn't jiggle.
African Squash And Yams (futari)
1 sm Onion; chopped, pared & cut into 1" pieces
2 tbs Oil
1 c Coconut Milk
1 lb Hubbard squash; pared and cut into 1 inch pieces
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon
2 medium size Yams or sweet potatoes
1/4 ts Ground cloves
Cook and stir onion in oil in 10-inch skillet over medium heat until tender. Stir in remaining ingredients. Heat to boiling.
Reduce heat. Cover and simmer 10 minutes. Simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender,
about 5 minutes longer. Makes 6 to 8 servings
African Green Pepper And Spinach
1 med Onion; chopped
1 med Green pepper; chopped
1 tbs Oil
1 med Tomato; chopped
1 lb Fresh spinach; stems removed
3/4 tsp Salt
1/8 tsp Pepper
1/4 c Peanut butter
Cook and stir onion and green pepper in oil in 3 quart saucepan until onion is tender. Add tomato and spinach. Cover
and simmer until spinach is tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in salt, pepper and peanut butter. Heat just until hot. Yield: 4
servings
African Vegetable Stew
1 Onion (very large) chopped
1 Swiss chard bunch
1 can Garbanzo beans (known also as chick-peas)
1/2 c Raisins
1/2 c Rice, raw
2 Yams
Several fresh tomatoes (or large can)
1 Garlic clove
Salt and pepper, to taste
Tabasco sauce, to taste
Fry onion, garlic and white stems of chard until barely limp. Add chopped greens and fry a bit.
Either peel the yams or scrub them well with a vegetable brush, then slice them into thick slices. Add garbanzos, raisins,
yams, tomatoes, salt and pepper. Cook a couple of minutes.
Make a well in the center of the mixture in the pot. Put the rice in the well and pat it down until it's wet. Cover and
cook until rice is done, about 25 minutes. Add Tabasco sauce to taste.

Winter Solstice or Yuletide: the Longest Night of the Year
This New Year is still celebrated by some Pagan‟s and Celt‟s and celebrates the „re-birth
of the Sun‟. It occurs at the Winter Solstice as the day‟s no longer shorten but start to
lengthen again signifying the Sun has been re-born for another year.
THE WINTER SOLSTICE
In astronomy, the Winter Solstice in the northern hemisphere is the date when the sun
reaches its southernmost point in the celestial sphere. It is the date with the shortest day
and hence with the longest night. This date usually falls on December 21/December 22
(in the northern hemisphere) or June 21/June 22 (in the southern hemisphere).
Today, we know that the Winter Solstice is an easily explained astronomical event. When
the tilt of the Earth is away from the sun, the days are short and we experience winter.
When the sun reaches the southern-most point in relation to Earth, the shortest day of the
year -- the Winter Solstice -- occurs.
In some reckonings, the Winter Solstice is the first day of Winter or the start of a New Year.
In Chinese calendar, for example, the Winter Solstice is called dong zhi(winter's arrival)
and is regarded in certain Chinese areas as an equally, if not more, important Jie Chia
compared to the Chinese New Year.
THE SOLSTICE THROUGH THE CENTURIES
Historically, the winter solstice has had a rather checkered past. For hundreds of years,
many people believed that the changing seasons and fluctuating hours of sunlight were
controlled by a group of deities known as sun gods. The early pagans celebrated the
Winter Solstice by honoring those gods with a variety of festivals and rituals designed to
curry the gods' favor and ensure the sun's speedy return. This is often referred to as
“Yuletide”. In the Roman Empire, the Winter Solstice was further recognized by the
celebration of the "Birthday of the Sun" on December 25th.
In the fourth century A.D., church leaders in Rome attempted to eliminate the pagan
festivities by adopting December 25th as Christ's birthday. They hoped to replace the
pagan customs with Christian traditions.
The ancient Pagans had rituals to hasten the end of winter and bring in the spring when nature‟s bounty would, again, prevail. The
day is a reminder that death isn‟t final; there will be rebirth.
The Celebration
The altar cloth is green and candles are red, gold and white in silver holders, the colors of Yule. Holly, ivy, evergreens, mistletoe and
fruit studded with cloves decorate the altar as well as the Yule crystals: ruby, cat‟s eye, garnets, bloodstone, diamonds and emerald.
Incense is myrrh, frankincense, cedar, pine, bayberry or cinnamon.
The tree is adorned with strings of popcorn and cranberries, quartz crystals wrapped wire, oranges, apples and lemons and small
sachet bags with cinnamon, rosemary and bay leaves. Wishes written in parchment are hung from holly branches. The Yule log is lit
and a piece of it is saved to protect the home and for next year‟s celebration.
Love, camaraderie and accomplishments of the past year are celebrated. Reflection is on aspirations for the next year.
Love and accomplishments of the past year are also celebrated. This is also a good time to reflect on your achievements of the last
year and what you desire to achieve in the coming year.
The Feast
Traditional foods are pork, apples, pears, nuts, fruitcakes, eggnog, mincemeat pies, spiced cider and wassail.

The effort was never completely successful, however, and eventually many Winter
Solstice customs were incorporated into Christmas observances.
By the tenth century, Christmas, with its colorful ceremonies and parades and
entertaining performances, was the most celebrated holiday in Europe. In the 16th
century, the festivities became so lively that Parliament passed a law abolishing
Christmas altogether. Eventually the law was repealed, but today's winter solstice
festivities are largely secular celebrations, held to brighten up the dark days of winter
and remind celebrants of the spring to come.
Yule Log
"May the log burn"
"May the wheel turn"
"May evil spurn"
"May the Sun return"
The Yule log is a central part of Yule festivities. The log is kindled from the remains of the
previous year's Yule fire(This piece was kept in the home throughout the year for
protection . . The Yule log symbolizes the light returning to conquer the darkness.
According to tradition, the log must either have been harvested from the householder's
land, or given as a gift... it must never have been bought. Once dragged into the house
and placed in the fireplace it was decorated in seasonal greenery, doused with cider or
ale, and dusted with flour before set ablaze . The log would burn throughout the night,
then smolder for 12 days after before being ceremonially put out.
This is a genuinely older Pagan tradition, probably brought to England by the Saxons. If
you don’t have a fireplace, you can create a symbolic Yule Log for ritual or for your
Solstice dinner table.
Materials:
a large dry log, bark removed
electric drill with a wide-boring drill bit
votive candles in metal holders (tea lights
candles would work also)
cloth holly leaves
ribbon, pinecones
other decorations
Method:
With parents’ supervision, drill three holes a few inches apart in the top of the log, large
enough to fit the votive candles. Place the candles in the holes. Decorate around the
outside of the log with ribbon, holly, pinecones and anything else that looks festive. You
can use all one color – gold is lovely – or mix two or three colors. If you plan on using your
log year after year, you may wish to paint it and glue the decorations on permanently.
Caution: Make sure flammable decorations are far enough from the candle flames to
be safe. Keep it out of reach of toddlers and pets.

Hogmanay (Scotland)
The New Years Eve celebration of Scotland is called Hogmanay. The name derives from
the old Scots name for Yule gifts of the Middle Ages. The early Hogmanay celebrations
were originally brought to Scotland by the invading and occupying Norse who
celebrated a solstitial new year (England celebrated the new year on March 25). In 1600,
with the Scottish application of the January 1 New year and the churches persistent
suppression of the solstice celebrations, the holiday traditions moved to December 31.
The festival is still referred to as the Yules by the Scots of the Shetland Islands who start
the festival on December 18th and hold the last tradition (a Troll chasing ritual) on
January 18th. The most widespread Scottish custom is the practice of first-footing which
starts immediately after midnight on New Years. This involves being the first person
(usually tall and dark haired) to cross the threshold of a friend or neighbor and often
involves the giving of symbolic gifts such as salt (less common today), coal, shortbread,
whisky, and black bun (a fruit pudding) intended to bring different kinds of luck to the
householder. Food and drink (as the gifts, and often Flies cemetery) are then given to
the guests.
The Hogmanay custom of singing Auld Lang Syne has become common in many
countries. Auld Lang Syne is a traditional poem reinterpreted by Robert Burns, which was
later set to music. It is now common for this to be sung in a circle of linked arms that are
crossed over one another as the clock strikes midnight for New Year's Day, although in
Scotland the traditional practice is to cross arms only for the last verse.

Burns‟ original Scots verse.
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind ?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days o' lang syne ?
CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my jo,
For auld lang syne,
We‟ll tak a cup o‟ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
And surely ye‟ll be your pint-stowp !
And surely I‟ll be mine !
And we‟ll tak a cup o‟ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
CHORUS
We twa hae run about the braes,
And pu‟d the gowans fine ;
But we‟ve wander‟d mony a weary foot,
Sin auld lang syne.
CHORUS
We twa hae paidl‟d i' the burn,
Frae morning sun till dine ;
But seas between us braid hae roar‟d
Sin auld lang syne.
CHORUS
And there‟s a hand, my trusty fiere !
And gie's a hand o‟ thine !
And we‟ll tak a right gude-willy waught,
For auld lang syne.
CHORUS
English translation
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne ?
CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup o‟ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And surely you‟ll buy your pint cup !
And surely I‟ll buy mine !
And we'll take a cup o‟ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
CHORUS
We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine ;
But we‟ve wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.
CHORUS
We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine † ;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.
CHORUS
And there‟s a hand my trusty friend !
And give us a hand o‟ thine !
And we‟ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.
CHORUS

Happy New Year! Or is it?
Happy New Year? That depends on which calendar you use! Students can explore the
world's calendar options and create their own "perfect" calendars!
Ah, the first month of a new year! A time of fresh starts and clean slates, celebrations
and resolutions -- for those who follow the Gregorian calendar, anyway.
If you follow the Jewish calendar, January 1, 1998, actually is the third day of the fourth
month (Tevet) in the year 5758. The Jewish year starts in autumn, and its calendar starts
with the year of Creation, according to tradition, 3,760 years and three months before
Christ was born.
According to the Chinese calendar, the year 4695 begins on January 28.
The next Islamic New Year's Day, 1 Muharram 1419 A.H., is April 28.
And if you follow the World Calendar -- advocated by the World Calendar Association
since 1930 -- January 1, 1998, is January 1, 1998, except that it falls not on a Thursday, but
on a Sunday, as it would for all of time if the World Calendar were to be adopted.
And this is but a handful of the calendars that the world follows! It would take a month of
Sundays to explore all the alternative ways we have of marking time!
A "CALENDAR HISTORY" PRIMER
The idea of creating a calendar began thousands of years ago, when humans first
realized the advantages of preparing for the future, such as anticipating annual floods,
and of recording the past. But from the beginning it has been an imperfect science of
trying to match the lunar cycles (the moon's orbit around the earth), which gives us our
months (or moon-ths), with the solar cycle (the earth's trek around the sun), which gives
us our year. Although close, the two are not perfectly synchronized.
In ancient Babylonia, around 500 B.C., an extra month was added every two and twothirds
years to even things out. The Egyptians later went with a 365-day year divided into
12 months of 30 days each, adding the extra five days at the end of the year -- which
worked out quite nicely until it was discovered that the year is actually closer to 365 1/4
days long. The Romans took a cavalier attitude toward it all, using a 10-month calendar
that began in March and ignored the 60 days of winter at the end of their year (and
exactly what was wrong with that?).
By 46 B.C. the calendar was a mess. Caesar recruited astronomers to work out a new
one, resulting in a 365-day year with months of 30 and 31 days, except February, with 29
days and, every fourth year, 30. The seventh month was renamed July in the emperor's
honor. This calendar underwent one small change with the next emperor, Augustus: He
renamed the eighth month in honor of himself and stole one of February's days to make
his month the same length as Caesar's!
The Julian calendar prevailed for 1,500 years, although it still was not perfect. Every year
was 11 minutes and 14 seconds too long, eventually resulting in 10 extra days by the year
1582. Pope Gregory XIII then introduced the civil calendar we follow today, which takes
care of the extra 11 minutes or so by eliminating the extra day in leap year centuries that

cannot be divided by 400, such as 1700, 1800 and 1900. This calendar is accurate to
about 26 seconds of the solar year.
And that, it seems, is about as perfect as it's going to get!
Does our week work?
Where does the week fit into the calendar story? Some people speculate that the
seven-day week originates with the four phases of the moon, which take little more than
seven days each. Others think it comes from the six days of creation and seven days of
rest described in the Old Testament and first introduced by the Jews as a method of
timekeeping. Over time, countries have experimented with variations on the week, such
as a 10-day week introduced in France in 1792, and a five-day week (with one day of
rest) introduced in the Soviet Union in 1929. What do you think would be the best division?
Naming the "moon"
The months in the Gregorian calendar are named mostly for gods from ancient myths --
March is named for Mars, for example, the ancient Roman god of war. Native
Americans had a different way of naming months, which they called "moons," measured
from one new moon to the next. Moons were named for what was happening in the
natural world, such as Moon of the Popping Trees, which came at the beginning of the
year, when frost made branches crack with cold. Some other names were Moose-
Calling Moon, Food-Almost-Gone Moon and Maple-Sugar Moon. To make your own
natural calendar, keep notes of what's happening in nature, choose your favorite
natural event or the event that seems most representative of the time of year, and
name the month after that.
Who's counting?
In the sixth century, a monk, Dionysius Exiguus, figured out the year he thought Jesus
Christ was born, and called that the year 1. After the date he added the letters A.D.,
which stood for Anno Domini, or the "year of our lord." All dates before that year are
called B.C., or Before Christ. This method of counting is still used for the Gregorian
calendar. What if the monk were not Christian? What if he lived at an earlier time? Or a
later time? What starting date might he have chosen? The Islamic calendar centers on
another important person in the history of religion. Do you know who that is and what
event the calendar's starting date is associated with? What if you were to invent your
own calendar today? What would the starting date be? According to your speculation,
what year would it be now?

Matariki – Māori New Year
Once a year, twinkling in the winter sky just before dawn, Matariki (known as the Pleiades
or the Seven Sisters) signals the Māori New Year. In New Zealand it comes into view low
on the north-eastern horizon, appearing in the tail of the Milky Way in the last days of
May or in early June, just before dawn. This heralds the Māori New Year. Traditionally, it
was a time for remembering the dead, and celebrating new life. In the 21st century,
observing Matariki has become popular again. Heaven-bound kites, hot-air balloons
and fireworks help mark the occasion.
Māori New Year dates, which herald in Matariki celebrations :
Year Date
2006 27 june
2007 16 june
2008 05 june
2009 24 june
2010 14 june
2011 04 june
2012 21 june
2013 10 june
2014 28 june

Matariki traditions
Kites (Manu taratahi)
Kites were seen as connectors between heaven and earth, and were often flown at this
event, especially on the first day of the New Year.
How to make a manu taratahi

How to make a manu taratahi
Follow these instructions to make a triangular child‟s kite:
Figure 1: Lay the feathered toetoe stalks on top of the unfeathered stalk as shown. Bind
the stalks together with string.
Figure 2: Lace together dry raupō leaves in groups of six. Start at the wide end of the
frame and tie the string to the middle stalk, then lace the leaves as shown. Tie off after
the sixth leaf. Repeat this on the side stalks. Continue lacing groups of six until finished.
Figure 3: Balance the centre of the kite on a broom and trim the leaves. Attach the
bridle.
Source: Bob Maysmor, The Māori kite: te manu tukutuku.
Feasting / Kai
Preparing a meal for friends and whanau is traditional at Matariki. It is a time when food
stores were full – kumara and other root foods had been gathered, fish were migrating
so catches were good, and other foods such as eel (tuna) and birds had been
preserved.

Tissue paper crafts: making a hot air balloon with tissue
paper
Kids can follow these easy instructions for making a hot air balloon using
tissue paper and an ordinary helium balloon. It really floats!
Did you ever wish you could make a real floating hot air balloon? Actually you can make a model of a hot
air balloon that really floats! This model hot air balloon looks very much like a miniature version of the real
thing. The good news is, it doesn‟t require a flame or hot air in order to float. All it requires are some basic
craft project materials including tissue paper, a small lightweight basket, and a helium balloon. You can
float this cool tissue paper hot air balloon outdoors as well as indoors. Your friends and family will be
amazed by your small-scale version of a real hot air balloon.
For this craft project you will need a large oval-shaped helium balloon, cotton string, a small lightweight
woven basket, masking tape, colored tissue paper, scissors, a spool of invisible thread, a dowel rod that„s
about 4 inches long and 1/8 inch in diameter, craft glue, a small disposable container, a paintbrush, and
water.
Begin making your tissue paper hot air balloon by cutting off 4 equal lengths of cotton string. The
recommended length is 12 inches, but you can make them as long or as short as you like. Attach the
strings by evenly spacing them around the base of the balloon and securing each one with a small piece
of masking tape. The masking tape will not show after the tissue paper has been applied.
Next you will need to cut out shapes and designs to decorate the helium balloon. A patchwork balloon
looks very nice and is very easy to design. For this style you will need to cut out randomly shaped pieces of
colored tissue paper. Use several different colors to make a unique and eye-catching hot air balloon. The
pieces may be ripped instead of cut if you wish.
Another idea for the design of the balloon involves covering the entire surface with a layer of solid colored
tissue paper. Create pictures pieced together using various colors of tissue paper. Attach them to the solid
colored background to make a one-of-a-kind hot air balloon. Personalize the balloon with your name, or
glue on a phrase of your choice to send someone a special message. The design options are virtually
endless.
After cutting out or tearing off enough tissue paper to cover the entire balloon, attach the pieces using a
paintbrush and craft glue that has been thinned with water. Use the watered-down glue as you would
paper mache. Be sure to cover the entire balloon, including the tape-covered strings. Tie the balloon in a
location where it can dry completely before continuing.
After the glue on the balloon has dried, tie the dangling strings to the small woven basket. Attach them
securely by tying double knots. You also need to attach a spool of invisible thread to the center bottom of
the basket. Be sure to tie it very securely so your balloon doesn‟t float away. Put the wooden dowel rod
through the center of the spool of thread so you can easily let out more or reel in your balloon.
Float the tissue paper balloon inside your home, or take it outside if the wind isn„t too strong. It will look like
a real hot air balloon floating through the sky. Keep in mind that helium doesn‟t last for long, but if the knot
in your balloon isn‟t too tight, you may be able to carefully undo it and refill the balloon as necessary.

Hot Air Balloon
This craft was reprinted courtesy of BalloonTime.com.
Need to interest your class in geography? Spark their imagination with a trip across the country with their
own special hot air balloon. It makes for great fun at birthday parties too. You can also weight them down
with candy favors.
Supplies
Balloons
Helium
Paper Cup
Ribbon
Glue
Scissors
Instructions
For each balloon, take two 2 1/2 inch lengths of ribbon, and tie them
together with a knot in the center. Take a small, disposable paper cup, and poke a hole in the front, back
and each side. Thread the ends of the ribbons through the holes, and secure with a knot. Inflate a balloon,
decorate as desired and place it inside the ribbons. Use tape or a little glue to keep the ribbons in place.
This also makes a fun decoration! (Float time: 4 1/2 hours)

Rosh Hashanah: The Jewish New Year
Rosh Hashana, is observed on the first and second day of the month of Tishrei. This year
(2008), Rosh Hashana will begin sundown Monday, September 29th, ushering in the New
Year 5769. Rosh Hashana is Tuesday and Wednesday, September 30th and October 1st .
Rosh Hashana means, literally, "head of the year" or "first of the year." Rosh Hashana is
the Jewish New Year (5769). There is, however, very little similarity between Rosh
Hashana, one of the holiest days of the year, and the secular December 31st midnight
drinking bash and daytime football game.
The only similarity between the Jewish New Year and the secular one is: Many people
use the New Year as a time to make "resolutions." Likewise, the Jewish New Year is a time
to begin looking back at the mistakes of the past year and planning the changes to be
made in the new year.
The Torah refers to Rosh Hashana as Yom Ha-Zikkaron (the day of remembrance) or Yom
Teruah (a day of shofar (a ram’s horn) blowing). The name "Rosh Hashana" is not found in
the Torah's discussion of this Yom Tov.
Rosh Hashana is celebrated for two days, not only in Chutz La-Aretz (outside of Israel),
but also in Eretz Yisroel. The celebration of this Yom Tov is marked with solemnity, as it is
on Rosh Hashana the whole world is judged for the coming year.
Rosh Hashana begins a 10 day period, known as Aseret Ymay Tshuva, (Ten Days of
Repentance) or Yomim Nora'im (High Holy days). These ten days that end with Yom
Kippur, are a time for Tshuva (repentance), Tefilla (prayer) and Tzedaka (charity). Jews
have these 10 days to consider the sins of the last year and repent and ask Hashem and
our fellow man for forgiveness before Yom Kippur.
Aluminum Foil Shofar
Although simple, this art project is one of the most enjoyable for children. All you need is a piece of
aluminum foil around 12 inches long. You can probably guess what to do with the foil, but I’ll tell you
anyway. From one of the corners, start rolling the aluminum foil into a funnel shape. Next, you bend
the funnel until it acquires the shape of a shofar. (For longer shofars you will need a bigger piece of
aluminum foil.) Now comes the fun part: blowing your aluminum foil shofars. While your shofar might
look like the real thing, to get a sound out of it you have to blow in a very special way. Pretend that
you are playing a kazoo and sort of hum into the small end of the shofar. You should be rewarded
with a majestic blast that will bring down the walls of Jericho.

Chinese New Year
Dancing Lion or Dragon
Toy
Make a dancing paper lion or dragon toy for Chinese New Year.
Traditionally, on Chinese New Year, two people wear a huge lion or dragon costume and
dance. This toy is a tiny paper version of this traditional puppet.
Supplies:
Colored paper
Scissors
Crayons or markers
Glue, tape
2 wooden barbeque skewers (or 2 straws or disposable chopsticks)
Optional glitter, feathers
Draw the head and tail of a lion or dragon on a piece of paper.
Cut the head and tail out and decorate with bright colors.
Optional: Decorate with glitter and feathers.
Fold a piece of paper in half the long way. Cut along the fold line,
making two long rectangles.
Fold each piece of paper up like an accordion.
Glue or tape the two pieces together, forming one
long piece that will be the animal's body.
Glue or tape one end of the body to the head. Glue
or tape the other end of the body to the tail.
Tape one skewer (or straw) to the head and the
other skewer (or straw) onto the tail.
You now have a dragon or lion that can dance for
Chinese New Year.

Fireworks
Create your own fireworks picture by using dark construction paper, glue and different
colors of glitter. These fireworks pictures are great decorations for New Year, Chinese
New Year, or Independence Day. The Chinese invented fireworks thousands of years ago.
Supplies:
Black or very dark construction paper
Glitter
White glue
Old newspapers
A straw (optional)
Work on old newspapers. Spread glue on the paper in
geometric shapes. If the glue is soft enough, you can
put a small blob of glue on the paper, and then blow
some air through a straw to spread it into interesting
shapes. You can experiment with the consistency of
the glue and the angle of the straw.
Sprinkle glitter onto the glue. Slide the excess glitter
off your picture and back into the glitter container.
Optional: Repeat the glue and glitter process with
different colors of glitter. Let the glue dry.

Webpages used
INTRO
http://www.theholidayspot.com/newyear/around_the_world.htm
SAYING NEW YEAR
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/calendar/newyear.shtml
CALENDAR
http://www.education-world.com/a_lesson/lesson045.shtml
DIWALI
http://www.theholidayspot.com/diwali/rangoli.htm
http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/diwali_fuse_bead_patterns.htm
HOGMANAY
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_solstice#Hogmanay_.28Scotland.29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auld_Lang_Syne
MATARIKI
http://www.teara.govt.nz/EarthSeaAndSky/Astronomy/MatarikiMaoriNewYear/
http://christchurchcitylibraries.com/Reference/Holidays/Matariki/
http://www.teara.govt.nz/EarthSeaAndSky/RecreationSeaAndSky/KitesAndManuTukutuku/2/ENZ-
Resources/Standard/3/en
http://www.essortment.com/hobbies/tissuepaperhot_sflc.htm
http://www.freekidscrafts.com/hot_air_balloon-e36.html
ROSH HOSHANA
http://www.torahtots.com/holidays/rosh/roshstr.htm
http://www.jewz.com/alef/activities_for_kids.phtml
RESOLUTIONS
http://www.theteacherscorner.net/printable-worksheets/seasonal/new-years/index.htm
http://www.fathertimes.net/mynewyearsresolutions.htm
http://kids-holiday-activities.suite101.com/article.cfm/new_years_celebrations_for_kids
KWANZAA
http://www.dltk-holidays.com/kwanzaa/mcandle.html
http://members.tripod.com/~Nancy_J/kwanzaa.htm
http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/kwanzaa_for_kids.htm
WINTER SOLSTICE YULETIDE
http://www.education-world.com/a_lesson/lesson094.shtml
http://paganismwicca.suite101.com/article.cfm/yule_pagan_celebration
http://thecronescottage.tripod.com/thecottagedecyule2001/id16.html
http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/wi/Winter_solstice
http://www.llewellynjournal.com/article/1271
CHINESE
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/chinesenewyear/lion/
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/fireworks/
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/chinesenewyear/lantern/