New Year's Eve around the world
In Spain, eating 12 of these are to bring you good luck in the New Year....
grapes
January was named after this Roman God
Janus - the Roman God of beginnings and transitions
The crystal ball in Times Square begins lowering at midnight. True or false?
False, it starts at 11:59pm
Under which calendar is New Year's Day January 1?
a) Julian calendar
b) Gregorian calendar
c) Jewish calendar
d) Chinese calendar
Gregorian calendar
A whole new ballgame
To find yourself in a completely different situation that requires new skills or a different approach.
In what country do people throw unused plates at the front doors of family and friends for good luck?
Denmark
In the ancient Roman calendar, the New Year began on a) 1st January
b) 1st February
c) 1st March
1st March
New Zealand is the first major country to celebrate New Year. True or False?
True
How many people gather in front of the Ball Drop in New York City on New Year's Eve?
a) 500 000
b) 50 000
c) 1 million
1 million
Get off to a flying start
To begin a new activity or year with great success and speed.
Where is New Year celebrated from April 13 to 15 by throwing water?
Thailand
What did ancient Persians give as New Year's gifts?
a) money
b) gold
c) eggs
eggs - to symbolise productivity
The Belgians believe eating donuts on New Year's Day will bring luck. True or False?
False - the Dutch believe this.
In what country did the firework tradition begin?
China
Rise to the occasion
To succeed in dealing with a difficult situation or a particularly ambitious resolution.
Which country is where New Year's Eve is a public non-working holiday?
a) Italy
b) Japan
c) Brazil
Brazil
In ancient Egypt, what event dictated the timing of New Year's celebrations?
a) Pharaoh's birthday
b) flooding of Nile
c) Solar Eclipse
Flooding of Nile
Lobster and chicken are both considered bad luck foods during the New Year.
True or False?
It is True!
According to superstition, because of a lobster's ability to move backward and a chicken's ability to scratch itself backward, if you eat either on New Year's, you won't be able to move forward.
When do the practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism celebrate New Year?
a) never
b) January
c) February
d) March
February
Step up to the plate
To take responsibility for something or prepare to face a challenge decisively.
In what South American country are coins baked into sweets to bring good luck for the New Year to whoever finds them?
Bolivia
The modern calendar used by most countries was introduced in:
a) 1582
b) 1498
c) 1672
1582
The flower for January is carnation. True or false?
True
The first New Year's Eve ball drop-in Times Square happened in this year.
A. 1899. B. 1907 C. 1930
1907
Draw a line under (it)
To decide that something is finished and you will not think about it anymore, allowing you to move forward in 2026.