Project “Soon, soon the New Year. About the New Year holiday Preschoolers 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 Russia 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.

Now let's see how this merry 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 in total is 108 beats of the bell.

Traditions of celebrating the New Year in Russia

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 Spasskaya 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 a home-made one - 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

When the first Christmas tree appeared in Russia, 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 with threads, 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.

A garland "Falling Snow" can be made from cotton wool. 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.

New Year- the holiday is also special because, in addition to Santa Claus and the Snow Maiden, in addition to funny Christmas toys, fragrant tangerines and cherished gifts for children, this holiday means the onset of the long-awaited winter holidays. You just need to think in advance how to spend these short winter days with maximum pleasure and benefit.

And without which it is impossible to imagine traditional winter fun - of course, without snow, ice and frost! True, in recent years the weather has become painfully capricious, but still on New Year's days you can still find skating rinks, snowdrifts, and ice slides.

Thanks to the active propaganda of television, figure skating has become popular again. Every year there are more and more skating rinks. You just need to learn how to skate and not be afraid of bruises and bumps - the inevitable companions of mastering this sport.

Even just skating is already a great pleasure. And it doesn’t matter how well you can do it, when the New Year tree sparkles with lights in the center of the ice rink, and the spotlights and perky music create an atmosphere of a festive mood. But if you get tired of just cutting circle after circle, then you can arrange fun competitions.

Game "Steam Train"

You will need skittles or plastic bottles filled with water or just snow - so that they are not blown away by the wind. They need to be placed on the ice in one line at a certain distance from each other. The smaller the distance, the more difficult the task. So, we get up in height - the smallest is in front, the next is bigger ... - the last, of course, is dad. We put our hands on the shoulders of the person in front, and - go ahead! It is necessary to snake around the pins without knocking them down.

Game "Relay"

You need to split into two teams, equal in number of participants and approximately equal in strength. Not only age is taken into account, but also the ability to skate. The start line can be marked with skate covers. At 20-30 meters from the start line for each of the teams we put two skittles (plastic bottles). On the “start” command, the players reach the pin, go around it and return, passing the baton to the next player. The team that completes the task faster wins. The more players, the more fun and interesting the relay will be.

Perhaps the most popular winter games are snowball fights, sledding, snowman making, snow fort storming. All this, despite its ancient history, is unlikely to bother both your friends and parents.

And you can also go with the whole family to the nearest forest park on skis for a “winter fairy tale”. This is best done after a heavy snowfall. Here, on the branches of a pine tree, a “snow leopard” has spread, but some kind of “weevil” peeps out of a snowdrift, and here you just need to draw eyes with a ski stick - and you get a huge “snow toad”. Take your camera for this walk!

Of course, this is not all winter fun and games - you yourself can come up with a hundred more! Just be sure to remember the right clothes. Sweating in the cold, you can catch a cold. If this happens, go home. Do not forget about spare gloves. As for the rest, what could be better than an active winter outdoor family holiday filled with wonderful vivid impressions and a sea of ​​positive emotions?!

Have fun, honest people, winter is coming!

The story for children of senior preschool age "History of the New Year"

Description: Your attention is given a story about the history of the New Year for children of senior preschool age. This story can be used by educators when conducting classes dedicated to the New Year.

Target: introduce children to the history of the New Year holiday.
Tasks:
- to develop in children an interest in the history of the holiday;
- develop speech;
- develop imagination;

Guys, your favorite New Year holiday is coming soon. Tell me why you love this holiday? (Because Santa Claus comes, for gifts, we decorate the Christmas tree)
What date will we celebrate the New Year? (December 31)
Guys, do you know that the New Year in Russia was not always celebrated on December 31st. Once this holiday was celebrated on September 1st. Now this is the very first day of school and the beginning of autumn. And our ancestors celebrated the New Year on this day, but there were no Christmas trees, gifts and Santa Claus at all. Where did this holiday come from?

Tsar Peter the Great ordered to celebrate the New Year on the first of January. According to the tsar's command, fiery fun was arranged in Moscow and fires were lit. According to German custom, the capital was decorated with pine needles. The rich put up several Christmas trees at once, and the poor decorated their houses with spruce branches. Moscow celebrated the New Year for a week. In the Kremlin, in front of the Assumption Cathedral, where a solemn New Year's prayer service was held, troops with unfurled banners lined up to the drumbeat.

The tree is the symbol of the New Year. The Christmas tree marks the beginning of the new year and has become a symbol of eternal life, because, unlike other trees, it does not shed its leaves, but is green all year round. In Russia, they used to decorate the Christmas tree with apples, tangerines, dry fruits (apricots, figs, prunes), honey gingerbread. Candles were lit on the Christmas tree, fixed in special "tulips". The tradition of the Christmas tree was also observed in that the Christmas tree was crowned with a star and decorated with various sparkles. The Christmas tree has become a symbol of a family holiday, children and adults dress it up together, dance around it, read poems and sing songs.

In the New Year, children are looking forward to gifts and hope for the fulfillment of their most cherished desires. The gift did not always have a specific giver. The custom of presenting a gift as a fabulous creature appeared only at the beginning of the 20th century. In some countries, local gnomes are considered the ancestors of Santa Claus, in others, medieval wandering jugglers who sang Christmas songs, and thirdly, wandering sellers of children's toys.
Our Santa Claus also has a close relative - the spirit of cold Treskun (Studenets, Frost). Since the New Year began to be celebrated in Russia, an old grandfather began to appear in the houses, with a beard, in felt boots. In one hand he carried a bag of gifts, and in the other, a stick. Then Santa Claus was not a cheerful old man who sang songs. Of course, he gave gifts, but only to the most intelligent and obedient, and he could well “treat” mischievous people with a stick. Now Santa Claus no longer punishes anyone, but only congratulates and amuses everyone at the New Year tree. The stick has turned into a magic staff, which not only warms all living things in severe frosts, but also helps Grandfather Frost play various funny games with the kids. Over time, Grandfather had a granddaughter, the Snow Maiden, who tells fairy tales and plays with children.

Relevance of the chosen topic due to the fact that the New Year is the most favorite holiday in our country. This holiday unites representatives of all peoples living in Russia. Both adults and children of all ages look forward to this holiday with the same impatience.

Fundamental question , which we asked ourselves: Does our multinational country with its complex history have traditions of celebrating the New Year? How long have they lived?

Objective of the project: find out what traditions of celebrating the New Year, when and how appeared in Russia. How modern Russians treat them on the example of students, teachers and parents of our school.

Tasks, supplied for the project:

• study the history of the celebration of the New Year in Russia
• conduct a survey in different age groups on the topic of New Year's traditions
• put into practice the acquired knowledge.

We conceived our project as a creative interdisciplinary one. 2 classes participated in the work on the project: 1-a and 2-b. Time of work on the project - 1 month.

The hypothesis of the project: The traditions of celebrating the New Year have existed in Russia for a very long time and are preserved to this day.

Description of the project activity

Stage 1 - organizational

We have tried to highlight the main areas of activity. During the discussion, we decided that we need to do the following:

• study books in the library and search the Internet for information on our topic
• ask classmates, teachers, parents and friends what New Year traditions they know and which they observe
• reproduce the most interesting traditions ourselves.

Our children were divided according to their interests into different groups.

“Historians” have been studying the traditions of celebrating the New Year since the time of Peter 1.

"Theatre-goers" studied what scenes and performances they staged for the holiday.

"Musicians" studied works dedicated to the New Year's Eve .

“Statisticians” surveyed their classmates, their brothers, sisters, teachers and parents to find out how they celebrate the New Year in their family .

"Masters" made New Year crafts according to the descriptions collected by "Historians".

Stage 2 - theoretical

At this stage, the groups worked the most "Historians". They read many books (non-fiction and fiction) about the New Year and learned how to use Wikipedia and other free encyclopedias on the Internet. Here's what they found out.

How did the new year

New Year is one of the most magical holidays of the year! Everyone is looking forward to gifts, the whole family chooses a Christmas tree for a long time and meticulously, they take out boxes with old toys from the mezzanine, buy new toys, come up with practical jokes and entertainment for New Year's Eve. We really want to believe in fairy tales! It is clear that all these pleasant worries do not allow us to think about where, how and why the New Year holiday was born.

We assume that for a long time on New Year's Eve, lights were hung on Christmas trees, confetti and streamers were used, and gifts were given to each other. We believe that decorating Christmas trees is an ancient custom, since this is an evergreen tree, needles remain on it in winter, that is, the tree remains alive. People decorate the Christmas tree in the middle of winter. They want to celebrate the New Year with her.

Let's see how it really was.

When and how did our distant ancestors celebrate the New Year?

Our ancestors believed that the New Year comes in the spring, when it gets warm, agricultural work begins.

In ancient Armenia, for example, (as in ancient India) the new year was celebrated on March 21st. People made wishes for the next year and believed that if you tie a ribbon to a tree branch, or hang your decoration on this branch, then the wish will certainly come true. Most often decorated with an apricot tree.

In ancient Egypt, the New Year was celebrated in mid-summer in July, as the Nile River floods at this time, the waters of which fed the wheat fields of the ancient Egyptians.

In ancient Rome, the new year was celebrated at the beginning of March, but only until the Roman emperor Julius Caesar established a new calendar. According to the new Julian calendar, January 1 began to be considered the first day of the New Year. On this holiday, the ancient Romans decorated their homes and gave gifts to each other. A laurel branch served as a gift, because among the Romans it was a symbol of happiness and good luck.

And how did the peoples who lived on the territory of Ancient Russia do it? Our ancestors celebrated the New Year on March 1 - at the very beginning of spring before the start of sowing. This was the case in the pre-Christian era.

Christianity in Russia was adopted in 988. Together with Christianity, the Julian calendar with Latin names of the months was introduced. Until the 12th century, the new calendar did not take root among the people, and out of habit people continued to celebrate the New Year in the spring. Around the 12th century, the situation changed as follows: people celebrated the traditional New Year in March in the spring, and September in the fall. The last holiday did not have a fixed date, since the New Year came after the harvest, which each year depended on the weather and many other factors. Then the expression “Indian summer” appeared in Russian. Oddly enough, it is closely related to the ancient New Year! In the first week of September, according to the Julian calendar, the inhabitants of Slavic villages finished harvesting and purely women's work began - women of all ages crushed and ruffled hemp, spread flax, wove canvases. Summer jobs were mostly for men, and the first week of September was for women.

On December 19 (according to the Julian calendar), Peter I signed a personal decree “On writing from January 1, 1700 in all papers of the summer from the birth of Christ, and not from the Creation of the world.”

The people of Moscow were gathered on Red Square and announced that “as a sign of a good undertaking, along the large passing streets, and noble people and at houses ... to make some decoration from trees and branches of pine spruce and juniper. Yes, January, on the 1st day, as a sign of fun, congratulate each other on the New Year ... start shooting. Peter 1 set an example by launching a rocket in the form of a fiery snake. This rocket announced to the people the coming of the New Year, and then, according to the tsar's decree, the fun began throughout Moscow. Then there was no Santa Claus and the Snow Maiden at all.

How did Santa Claus appear?

Santa Claus appeared a long time ago. At first he was a symbol, a spirit of cold. In the beliefs of the ancient Slavs there were creatures - Zimnik, Moroz Vasilievich, or Grandfather, who ruled the winter. They were represented as small old men who had white hair and a long gray beard. Where they go - there will be a fierce cold.

Grandfather Frost was distinguished by strictness, grumpiness, but he was always fair. He helped good people and gave them gifts, but he could bring misfortune to bad people and even froze them with his magic staff.

Appearing in Russia at the end of the 19th century, Santa Claus was usually dressed in a blue or white fur coat, which showed that he came from a harsh northern region. Therefore, Santa Clauses are still found in blue robes, although since the 20th century, most Santa Clauses have changed into red fur coats.

Here are the main features of the appearance of Santa Claus:

• beard-fur coat-hat-mittens-belt-boots-staff-bag with gifts

Santa Claus travels on foot, by air or in a sleigh. It can also move around its native expanses like a real skier. In recent years, Santa Claus has been depicted as racing on a sleigh pulled by reindeer.

We, modern Russians, believe that Santa Claus lives in Veliky Ustyug. Anyone can write a letter to Santa Claus at the address: 162340 Russia, Vologda region, Veliky Ustyug.

Assistant to Grandfather Frost is the granddaughter of the Snow Maiden.

The New Year tree, live or artificial, has long been a symbol of the New Year and appears in our homes and all office buildings every year. Previously, the Christmas tree was decorated with candles, apples, nuts, gingerbread, sweets and tangerines. In Russia, there has long been a tradition of plucking gifts directly from the Christmas tree. It's called "Christmas tree plucking". Glass Christmas decorations were invented in Germany in the 19th century. In Russia, figurines of fairy tale heroes were added to traditional German balls, cones, and mushrooms. This "Russian tree" differs from the Western European.

In pre-revolutionary Russia, the nobility had a tradition of putting on home performances, which were very popular. Most of them were themed. Christmas performances inspired faith, kindness and love.

On New Year's Eve, a crowd of mummers sang songs on the streets, wishing everyone health and well-being. Buffoons - songwriters, musicians, dancers and puppeteers amused the people.

Each family had a tradition of making homemade Christmas decorations. On New Year's Eve, all family members sat down at a large table and fun work began. Younger children wrapped pine and spruce cones, empty eggshells in foil; older children made Christmas balls and lanterns out of paper, cut openwork snowflakes, glued multi-colored paper chains and folded garlands of flags. Winter bouquets were made from twigs, laying snow drifts from cotton wool on them. And curly gingerbread was baked in the kitchen, which later took place on the branches of the New Year tree. For kids, the most favorite tradition is to write a letter to Santa Claus. The child writes (or dictates to his parents if he does not know how to write yet) what he likes and dislikes, what is the most important event in his life recently, with whom he is friends, why he is sometimes sad and because of what more often just having fun. You can ask for gifts from Santa Claus only after you have listed your achievements and successes over the past year.

Ways to send a letter: - put it on the windowsill, send it to the post office, - online on the website of Santa Claus.

“Statisticians” compiled a questionnaire and talked to all classmates. Then they asked them to find out the opinion of their family members. After counting the number of votes, with the help of teachers, they made charts with general information.

Monitoring on the topic of the project was carried out in the following age groups:

• Preschoolers.
• Junior school age (grades 1-4).
• Middle and senior school age (grades 5-9).
• Adults.

Questionnaire:

1. Does your family have a tradition of celebrating the New Year?
2. Do you decorate the Christmas tree with homemade toys?
3. Is your Christmas tree natural or artificial?
4. Do you believe in Santa Claus?
5. Do you write letters to Santa Claus?

Stage 3 - practical

At this stage, the groups “Theatre-goers”, “Musicians”, “Masters” worked the most.

The Theater Group I read many different scripts for New Year and Christmas fairy tales and chose one production for myself. We distributed the roles, came up with the scenery, chose the costumes and began to rehearse the performance. On December 23, we will perform our fairy tale in front of all elementary school students. And we also want to show our performance to children in the neighboring kindergarten, which many children from our school went to. We will show you a small excerpt from our most successful rehearsal. (see Attachment)

Group of "Musicians" I chose a song with the most New Year's mood for myself. We will sing it at the New Year's concert at school. (see Attachment)

Group "Masters" studied the stories about New Year's crafts collected by "Historians". Based on these stories, we made Christmas decorations, cut out snowflakes. Made Christmas decorations for the house. For their manufacture, a wide variety of materials were used: cones, seeds, shells, chestnuts, twigs, beads, candy wrappers, napkins, fabric and much more. We decorated our school Christmas tree, our classes with them.

And, of course, all the children wrote a letter to Santa Claus.

Conclusion

With the approach of the New Year, our parents suddenly become the same children as we are. Always so serious and strict, parents and teachers begin to believe in Santa Claus, wait for something extraordinary and prepare for the biggest miracle of the year - New Year's Eve.

Parents suddenly put aside their affairs, which are always more than our children would like, and enthusiastically decorate the house with us for the New Year. It turned out that mothers and grandmothers also made Christmas decorations from improvised means, even during the war! They also rehearsed different New Year's fairy tales, playing them in a home theater, and their parents helped them make costumes from gauze and old sheets. The traditions of celebrating the New Year turned out to be very strong and most joyful. They are supported by many generations of Russians. We ourselves made Christmas decorations from different materials: cones, seeds, pasta, twigs, beads, candy wrappers, napkins, fabric and much more, staged a New Year's fairy tale, prepared a song for the concert, wrote letters to Santa Claus.

We will try to remember everything we learned about the New Year, so that later we can prepare for this holiday together with our children.

Reflection of activity

Assessment of the degree of achievement of the goals and objectives.

The goals and objectives of the project "Traditions of the New Year's Eve" were fully implemented. Children have mastered the basics of research activities. We learned how to work in a group for a common goal, helping and listening to the opinions of partners. The division of the project participants into groups by type of activity made it possible to involve all students without exception in the creative process, even students with low motivation to learn. Children chose their group based on their own preferences and the advice of teachers. This helped them to better understand their capabilities. And, most importantly, all the children saw the share of their work in this project and realized that the overall success of a great cause depends on each student.

The work also served to maintain a long tradition of joint preparation for the New Year.

Bibliography

1. “Encyclopedia of the New Year and Christmas” M.S. Galynsky.
2. “New Year and Christmas in Russia” A.V. Semanovich.
3. A. Tolstoy "Childhood of Nikita".
4. A. Salnikova “History of a Christmas tree toy”.

New Year for preschoolers. The history of the holiday, New Year's poems, riddles, stories, games

Antonova Tatyana Gennadievna
Material Description: This material may be useful to preschool teachers, elementary school teachers and additional education.
In this publication, I bring to your attention the annexes to the project "New Year at the Gates". The material contains information for conducting thematic conversations with children about the history of the holiday, its traditions, etc.; thematic riddles; thematic poems for children; entertaining New Year's games; advice for parents "Why do children believe in Santa Claus?". You can find the project passport and other information on this project that you are interested in under the heading "New Year at the Gates" in my blog at: /blogs/tatjana-genadevna-antonova/cat-5185
Purpose of publication: Dissemination of the experience of pedagogical activity among the community of colleagues.

Applications to the project "New Year at the Gates"

Application No. 1
Information for conducting thematic conversations.
“Who was the first to come 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.

And on September 1, they organized a harvest festival, asked the king for fair solutions to disputes, mass celebrations, feasts and competitions were held.

Tsar Peter I, who traveled a lot in Europe, saw how Europeans celebrate the New Year.

He liked that in Europe in winter, on January 1, they decorate a Christmas tree and put gifts under it for their relatives. And since 1700 in Russia, people began to put prickly spruce in their houses, and not cherry covered with white-pink and delicate petals, as before.

The celebration of the New Year begins on the birthday of the sun, at the time of the winter solstice - December 25th. Holy holidays, Holy evenings - this is how our grandmothers call these days, because on these days, according to legend, a miracle happened - the baby Jesus was born, he smiled at the spruce that came to his cave with all the animals and plants to greet him, and at the top of the spruce a star shone as a symbol of the Nativity of Christ.

These days in Russia it’s not a sin to “be weird”: people dress up in wonderful costumes, dance, have fun and guess. In the old days, New Year’s festivities were massive.

Now this is a family celebration, when in a frosty winter all relatives gather at a beautifully laid festive table, communicate and share events and stories from their lives over the past year. Children these days have a lot of rest, rejoice, go to Christmas trees and communicate with their parents, who also have Christmas holidays. The opportunity to be together as a family helps to strengthen family ties and find support from each other.

The main wizard of the New Year is Santa Claus.

Santa Claus is a kind grandfather who comes from a distant land. He carries with him huge bags of gifts for children, which he prepares for a whole year.

The prototype of Santa Claus was found in Russian fairy tales - Santa Claus Red Nose, Santa Crackle, Frost - the king of all winter months - a village old man dressed in a sheepskin coat with a red nose.
It was believed that Frost lives in an ice hut in the forest and gives gifts to those who look at his light.
In the Middle Ages, in the villages they even “fed” Frost to appease. The head of the family himself went out onto the porch with a spoonful of jelly.

Now Santa Claus lives in Veliky Ustyug (Vologda region).

You can go to visit him or write a letter, here is the address: 162340, Veliky Ustyug, Santa Claus.

Together with his grandfather, his granddaughter, the Snow Maiden, arrives.

She comes to all holidays with Frost and also congratulates the kids. In Russian fairy tales, Snegurochka or Snegurushka is the name of a girl who was blinded from the snow by an old man and an old woman, and she melted in the spring by jumping over a fire.

Grandfather Frost comes to the children's home and gives gifts. But since there are a lot of kids, he, unfortunately, will not have time to come to everyone. If Santa Claus does not come during the day, then he will definitely come at night and put gifts under the Christmas tree.

In addition to the Snow Maiden, snowmen help grandfather.

They participate in all preparations for the holiday. Just before the New Year comes, parents will lay a beautiful table, on which there will be a lot of food. You can choose something tasty for yourself. In every house for the new year there is a delicious mandarin fruit - a symbol of the New Year.

On December 31, at exactly 12 o'clock in the morning, the chimes will strike - these are the big clocks that are shown on TV for every New Year. The ringing of this clock indicates the coming of the New Year. At this time, you need to make a wish - it will definitely come true!
In Russia, they believed that as you celebrate the New Year, so you will spend it. Therefore, on the New Year you can not do hard work. But you need to decorate your house, lay an abundant table, wear all the newest and most beautiful and, of course, give gifts!

"Colleagues" of Santa Claus

In Russia - Santa Claus, and in the USA - Santa Claus, etc. Each country has its own character, its own New Year's wizard. Many identify them without knowing the history of the images, and this is not entirely correct. These are “colleagues” who not only outwardly differ from each other, but also have a completely different history.

"Santa Claus" - USA.

Gray hair, tidy beard and mustache, red jacket, pants and cap, glasses on his nose. A full tummy is wrapped around a dark leather belt. Historically, this is an elf-cheerful. He rides in a reindeer sleigh and tosses gifts into shoes and stockings left near the fireplace. The name "Santa Claus" comes from the name of Saint Nicholas.

"Sinter Klaas-Netherlands, Holland.

Arrives on a holiday on a steamboat, accompanied by black servants. Gives gifts.

Saint Basil - Greece and Cyprus.

An infrequent name for a New Year's character, but, nevertheless, children in Cyprus write to their patron: "Saint Basil, come, give happiness, fulfill all my desires."

Babbo Natale - Italy.

He leaves his sleigh on the roof and enters the house through the chimney, where some milk and sweets are left for him "for reinforcement".

Saint Nicholas - Turkey.

One of the prototypes of many New Year's characters. Good miracle worker and persecutor of evil, patron of abducted and lost children. According to legend, once Nikolai saved three daughters of a distressed family by throwing bundles of gold into the window of their house.

In France, Santa Claus - Pere Noel - comes on New Year's Eve and leaves gifts in children's shoes.

The one who gets the bean baked in the New Year's cake receives the title of "bean king", and on a festive night everyone obeys his orders. Wooden or clay figurines - santons - are placed near the Christmas tree.

Saint Nicholas - Belgium, Poland and Western Ukraine.

According to legend, he left golden apples in the family that sheltered him, throwing them into the shoes that stood by the fireplace. On Christmas night, he appears on horseback, accompanied by a faithful Moor servant, nicknamed "Black Peter". It is in the hands of the servant that the magic bag with gifts for the children is located.

Korbobo - Uzbekistan.

On the eve of the New Year holiday, he comes to his young friends on a donkey, accompanied by his granddaughter Korgyz. Instead of a fur coat, Corbobo wears a striped robe.

Mikulas - Czech Republic, Slovakia.

It arrives on the night of December 5-6, on the eve of St. Nicholas Day. Outwardly, it is very similar to our Santa Claus: the same long fur coat, hat, staff with a top twisted into a spiral. Only now he brings gifts not in a bag, but in a shoulder box. Yes, and it is not the Snow Maiden who accompanies him, but an angel in snow-white clothes and a shaggy imp. Mikulash is always happy to give good and obedient children an orange, an apple or some kind of sweetness, but the “Christmas boots” of hooligans or loafers may well be replenished with a potato or a piece of coal.

Ezhishek (Hedgehog) - Czech Republic, Slovakia.

The most modest New Year's character in the world. Throwing gifts at children's houses, Hedgehog carefully makes sure that no one sees him, which is why nothing is known about the appearance of this good man. But, as soon as the Christmas bell rings on the Christmas tree, thousands of Czech and Slovak children rush to look at the gifts they got.

In Colombia, the protagonist of the New Year's carnival - the Old Year - walks around on high stilts and tells funny stories to children.

Pascual - Colombian Santa Claus - arranges fireworks.

Yul Tomten (Yul Temten, Yolotomten) - Sweden.

Lives in a protected forest surrounded by picturesque lakes and valleys. Dusty the snowman, mischievous mice, the prince with the princess, witches, the King with the Snow Queen and, of course, the ubiquitous elves help him in creating Christmas miracles. The latter, by the way, have a particularly hard time: in their small mine they constantly mine gold for Christmas tree decorations and gifts. Those who visit Tomten are warned: “Look under your feet! Small trolls constantly scurry along the paths. Don't step on them!"

New Year's Eve in different countries
It is always interesting to know: How is the New Year celebrated in other countries? Are the New Year traditions of other countries very different from our traditions? We invite you to read information about how the New Year is celebrated in different countries. This interesting information will be useful for both adults and children.

The New Year is a holiday that everyone is waiting for, pinning their hopes on it, preparing in advance for its meeting. It is for December 31 that you do not feel sorry for the money spent, the time killed in the kitchen and running around the shops. After all, everyone knows very well: how you celebrate the New Year, so you will spend it.

Today, the New Year in most countries is celebrated on the night of December 31 to January 1. But in some countries, traditions are still preserved to celebrate this holiday according to ancient customs and legends. Not a single holiday is able to demonstrate the character of the people, their traditions, way of life as vividly as the New Year's Eve. This custom originates from our ancient ancestors who lived by agriculture.

According to ancient beliefs, the New Year came with a change in the position of the Sun in the sky.
For example, on Easter Island, this holiday is celebrated in the spring: from the moment the first swallow egg is found.

In Iran, the countdown of a new segment of life also begins in the spring. In March, bonfires are lit, over which the mummers jump.

Jumping over the fire, people are cleansed of all the bad things that have accumulated over the whole year.

In Ethiopia, the onset of the New Year is associated with the end of the rainy season. On the eve of the holiday, everyone must bathe in the river in order to enter a new life cleansed of all sins.

On the first day of the new year, green branches and flowers are given to each other.

In Japan, the New Year celebration lasts a week.

They prepare very carefully for this event: they decorate the streets of cities, trees, temples, houses. At midnight on December 31, the bells of all temples beat 108 beats, announcing the onset of a new period in the life of the Japanese. Why exactly 108? According to an old belief, a person has 6 vices: stupidity, greed, anger, frivolity, greed and indecision. These vices have many faces: each has 18 differences. The Japanese are very sensitive to this holiday. Throughout the week, folk festivals and theatrical performances take place on the streets. Everyone can take part in various games, fly a kite, dance at a masquerade.

In England, in addition to the Christmas tree, the house is decorated with mistletoe sprigs.

There are even bouquets of mistletoe on lamps and chandeliers, and, as is custom, you can kiss a person standing in the middle of the room under a bunch of mistletoe.

In Italy, on New Year's Eve, it is customary to get rid of old things, and Christmas is marked by the burning of a Christmas log.

In Sweden, before the New Year, children choose the Queen of Light, Lucia.

She is dressed in a white dress, a crown with lit candles is put on her head. Lucia brings gifts to children and treats to pets: a cat - cream, a dog - a sugar bone, a donkey - carrots.

Have fun celebrating the New Year in 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. On New Year's Eve, after a feast, young people make dogwood sticks (survachki).

Survachka is decorated with a red thread, heads of garlic, nuts, coins, prunes and dried fruits. With survachki go to the guests. They enter the house and "knock" them on the back of the owners. Such "beatings" promise good luck, health and prosperity in the house.

In Cuba, before the onset of the New Year, all jugs, buckets, basins and bowls are filled with water and at midnight the 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.

In Mexico, the New Year is celebrated with the fire of festive fireworks, firing from rocket launchers, and the ringing of special New Year's bells.

And children are handed delicious gingerbread dolls at midnight.

In Myanmar, the New Year comes at the hottest time of the year, so its arrival is celebrated with the so-called “water festival”, when people pour water on each other when they meet.

The tradition of dousing with water is a kind of wish for happiness in the New Year.

Interesting Christmas stories.

Traveling with Santa Claus
Misha was walking through the snow-covered forest and suddenly saw fresh footprints. They interested him extremely: someone just recently passed here in huge, enormous boots.
- Who could it be? Is it Santa Claus!
And indeed, soon the boy saw Santa Claus in the distance.
Are you surprised, baby, that I'm here? - Santa Claus asked Misha who ran up. - But I also have a magical high-speed cloud, which in an instant transfers to any place. Would you like to fly it with me?
Blimey!!! Who would turn down such a tempting offer?! Santa Claus sat the boy next to him on a cloud, and they flew in the blue of the night over snow-covered mountains and valleys. The cloud either soared up to the bright stars, then descended, touching the tops of fluffy Christmas trees. What an extraordinary journey it was!
Soon, the lights of a big city began to shine below. All the children have long dressed up Christmas trees and now they were sitting at home and waiting for gifts from Santa Claus. Only now all the chimneys, unfortunately, were closed. “How to get into houses to leave gifts? Do the kids never wait for them? Misha got nervous.
“Don’t worry, it’s better to watch carefully how I will do everything deftly,” said Santa Claus, as if reading the boy’s thoughts, and scattered many small multi-colored parachutes with gifts from the cloud. To each of them was attached a piece of paper with the name of a girl or a boy. Parachutes slowly descended on the city ...
“Don’t worry,” Father Frost reassured Misha again, “downstairs, all the parachutes will meet the brownies and deliver gifts to the children.
Misha really wanted to continue this wonderful journey with Santa Claus ... but then he suddenly ... woke up and realized that, unfortunately, he only dreamed of all this.
- Where's my present? Did the brownie manage to bring it? Misha exclaimed, remembering his unforgettable dream.
Jumping out of bed, the baby ran to the Christmas tree: what happiness! The gift in shiny paper was already in its place.
“But who knows,” thought a pleased Misha, “maybe what I saw at night was not a dream at all ?!”
Father Frost
One winter day, little Pavlik and his girlfriend Katya were skiing in the forest. It was already beginning to get dark, and they hurried home, when suddenly, among the pines, the kids noticed a large and beautiful house illuminated. “What if Santa Claus himself lives here?” - Katya had an unexpected thought, and the girl immediately shared it with Pavlik.
"Let's check, it won't take long," the boy continued, and the children immediately moved towards the big house.
Pavlik did not know if Santa Claus was at home, so he decided to look through the window first.
- Let's go see! - he suggested to Katya.
The children crept quietly to the window and saw: an old man was sitting in the room, all in red and with a thick white beard, and packing gifts. The real Santa Claus! Pavlik wiped the frosted glass better, and friends saw as many toys as they had never seen in any store.
The children quietly moved away from the window so as not to interfere with Santa Claus, and hurried home to write letters to him: after all, you need to help an old grandfather, otherwise he does not know who wants to receive what gift for the New Year. On New Year's morning, Pavlik first ran to the fireplace. And he froze in surprise: there was a small carpentry table in front of the fireplace, and on it lay a set of carpentry tools! Blimey! That's such a gift! And it does not matter that there were no toys, because now Pavlik will be able to make them himself, and this is much more interesting! He has made so many toys that not only he has enough, but all his friends!

Safe New Year.

New Year's Eve chores and a festive week for adults and children turn into a pleasant carousel of vivid impressions. It happens almost always. Almost - because in the New Year's week, hospitals are overflowing with injured adults and children, and the number of ambulance calls increases by at least a third.
There are rules in the world
All children should know them.
You always remember the rules
So that suddenly trouble does not happen,
And the trouble didn't come
And somewhere suddenly I found you.
And you need to not only know them,
And keep doing it.
What dangers await us?
For children, food poisoning and acute allergic reactions, hypothermia and burns are in the first place.
So, in the first place in the "problem rating" is the festive table and its post-holiday leftovers. Allergic reactions can be obtained from new exotic foods, even in tiny concentrations, such as in a salad. Children are more likely to suffer from seafood and caviar for the first time, spices, new fruits and various “sodas”.
Safety rules: no food experiments, only fresh and proven food.
Alas, the New Year holidays are not without fires either. The main cause of domestic fires is a homemade Christmas tree and low-quality (or left unattended) heating devices.
The safety rules here are simple and clear, but why do few people follow them?
1. The Christmas tree should be decorated only with industrial-made electric garlands.
2. Do not use cotton wool and candles in the decoration of Christmas tree branches.
3. When leaving home, unplug Christmas tree garlands from the socket and do not leave "EVEN FOR A MINUTE" unattended Christmas tree with garlands turned on.
4. In the room it is not allowed to light sparklers, use firecrackers and wax candles. Remember, open fire is always dangerous!
Safety rules: do not be careless in handling fire in any of its manifestations!
Caution: street!
1. In places where mass New Year's festivities are held, try to stay away from the crowd to avoid injury.
2. If you went to a New Year's performance with your parents, in no case go far from them, because. With a large crowd of people, it is easy to get lost.
3. Obey legal warnings and requirements of the administration, police and other persons responsible for maintaining order and fire safety.
4. Behave respectfully towards participants in mass events, service personnel, officials responsible for maintaining public order and security.
5. Avoid actions that could create a danger to others and lead to the creation of an extreme situation.
6. To carry out an organized exit from the premises and structures at the end of the events.
7. When receiving information about the evacuation, act in accordance with the employees responsible for ensuring order, keeping calm and not creating panic.
8. Another reason for New Year's problems is associated with pyrotechnics.
Look here and there
Fireworks in the sky...
It's good, of course
If everything is successful.
But danger is on the way
Guards - do not get around!
If anything goes wrong
If marriage is in fireworks,
Or didn't run away
Or someone got through the window,
In general, there are so many questions here!
Don't fireworks without asking!

Do you want to fireworks?
Okay, let's not argue.
Just so you don't get hurt
We need to call adults to help!
Fireworks, the most incredible and beautiful sight. When two verses: fire and air - come together. Progress has made this “little miracle” available to everyone. But most importantly, do not forget that jokes with fire are bad, and always follow the safety rules.
Fireworks must not be carried in pockets.
You can not bring and use pyrotechnic products during school New Year's events.
Do not disassemble pyrotechnic products and expose them to mechanical stress.
Place pyrotechnics away from heating devices and at the same time, remember that pyrotechnic products are afraid of dampness, and this may affect their work.
Pyrotechnics can only be used in the presence of parents.
Happy New Year!
We wish you happiness with all your heart!
To live this year for you
Without sadness and worries.
So that you work with success,
And on a holiday - have fun,
And good luck in your business
And smiles on your lips.

Application №2

Riddles about winter natural phenomena, about the New Year holiday

Run along the path
Donkeys and legs.
(Skis)

Ran - noisy
She fell asleep - she shone.
What's this?
(River in summer and winter)

No hands, no eyes
And he knows how to draw.
(Freezing)

White carrot grows in winter
(Icicle)

white bees
sat on the ground,
The fire has come
They were gone.
(Snow)

In the new wall
And round window
Broken glass during the day
Inserted overnight.
(hole)

The forest has grown
All white
Do not enter on foot
Do not enter on a horse.
(Frost pattern on the window)
Guest was visiting
Bridge bridge
No ax and no stake.
(Freezing)

Walking in the field, but not a horse,
Flies in the wild, but not a bird.
(Wind, blizzard)

Warm in winter
Weighty smoldering
Dies in summer
Comes alive in autumn
(Ice)

Winter and summer
One color.
(Fur tree, pine tree)

He walks, but there are no legs;
Lies, but there is no bed;
Lightweight, and breaks roofs.
(Snow)

Flying - silent
Lying - silent,
When he dies
Then roar.
(Snow)

In the yard - a mountain,
And in the hut - water.
(Snow)

One man,
Riding two horses at once
(Skier)

Naked on top
Shaggy underneath,
It is rich in warmth, What is your hut.
(Tulup, fur coat)

The tablecloth is white
I dressed the whole field.
(Snow)

The old man at the gate
Warmly dragged.
Doesn't run on his own
And he won't stop.
(Freezing)

What grows up root
(Icicle)

Upside down - full,
Down to the bottom - empty.
(Cap).

I'm sitting on top
I don't know who.
Meeting a friend -
I'll jump, I'll take it.
(Cap)

blossom in spring,
I bear fruit in summer
I don't fade in autumn
I don't die in winter.
(Pine, spruce)

Flying without wings
Falling without legs
The cook fries it without fire,
And his lady eats without a mouth.
(Snow)

Pure, clear, like a diamond,
But there are no roads
Born from mother
And he gives birth to her.
(Ice)

Doesn't burn in fire
Doesn't sink in water.
(Ice)

Come on, guys, who can guess:
Two fur coats are enough for ten brothers.
(mittens)

Troika, Troika has arrived,
The horses in that trio are white,
And in the sleigh sits the queen
Belokosa, white-faced,
How she waved her sleeve -
All covered with silver.
(winter months)

A strange star fell into the sky
Instantly lay down on the palm - and disappeared
(Snowflake)

Grabbed by the cheeks, the tip of the nose,
Painted the windows all without asking.
But who is it?
Here is the question!
All this makes…
(Freezing)

Barely breathed in winter
They are always with you.
Warm two sisters
They are called…
(mittens).

We are happy to overtake each other.
You look, my friend, do not fall!
Good then, easy
Fleet…
(Skates).

Rushing like a bullet, I'm ahead
Only the ice creaks
And the lights flicker.
Who is carrying me?
(Skates)

I can't feel my legs for joy,
I'm flying down the snowy hill.
Sport has become dearer and closer to me
Who helped me with this?
(Skis)

Two birch horses
They carry me through the snow.
These red horses
And they are called...
(Skis).

I took two oak bars,
Two iron rails.
I stuffed planks on the bars.
Give me snow!
Ready…
(sled).

He comes on a winter evening
Light candles on the tree.
He starts a round dance -
This is a holiday...
(New Year.)

He lives quite a bit
Now he's waiting at the door.
Well, of course...
(New Year.)

It's snowing outside,
Holiday coming soon...
(New Year.)

A cap of snow on the mountain
All trees are in silver
Ice sparkles on the pond
Coming...
(New Year.)

Christmas trees grow in the room
Squirrels do not gnaw cones,
Hares next to the wolf
On a thorny tree!
The rain is also not easy,
silver, gold,
Shine that there is urine,
Nobody gets wet.
It's always the other way around
Only on holiday...
(New Year.)

The whole Christmas tree to the crown
Decorate toys!
Get up in the chorus!
Meet...!
(New Year.)

Whatever you wish -
Everything always comes true
Everything will always happen
Everyone believes...
(New Year.)

First grader, high school student
Everyone loves this holiday.
Likes to decorate the Christmas tree
Decorate the classroom and school.
And in a fancy dress
Waiting for Santa Claus.
(New Year.)

Though small, yes remote,
Rest does not know, older than a year - does not happen.
(New Year.)

What a holiday in the yard
Coming in December?
At this time, everyone is suddenly happy
Babies are waiting for gifts
For a few minutes
Family gathering:
Mothers, grandmothers, relatives.
And holding glasses in hand
Counting the hours of blows,
Everyone screams with joy
Joking, jumping, joking.
Away with nightmares and bad weather,
This night only happiness awaits
It's a holiday without the hassle
This is a holiday - ... !
(New Year.)

The chimes struck, ringing.
And now at the gate
Dismounts from a fast horse
Happy...
Friends! Let's open the door wider
Honor to such friends!
With you, we will go on a journey now,
Happy...
(New Year.)

How many times will the clock strike
If the mustache is moved.
(Twelve.)

They say in the past
In January in a hole damp
Mary's wonderful son
Born at night.
Since then there is a glorious holiday
And a big celebration
new year orthodox
Holy holiday...
(Christmas)

It stands, prickly, like a hedgehog,
In winter in a summer dress.
And it will come to us on New Year's Eve
-The kids will be happy.
The trouble of the merry is full of mouths:
Get her clothes ready.
(Christmas tree.)

Not a birch, not an aspen
And beautiful as a picture.
In our room is
Above the star burns.
(Christmas tree.)

I come with gifts
I shine with bright lights,
smart, funny,
On New Year's Eve, I'm the main one.
(Christmas tree.)

I am such a fashionista that everyone is surprised!
I love beads, sequins - any jewelry.
But on my, believe me, great misfortune
I only get dressed once a year.
(Christmas tree.)

We bought a hanger
With a star on top.
Hung on a hanger
Not hats, but toys!
(Christmas tree.)

To our house on New Year's Eve
Someone from the forest will come
All fluffy, in needles,
And that guest's name is...
(Christmas tree.)

Who gets dressed up once a year?
(Christmas tree.)
Full of needles
Not a hedgehog
There are paws
But no legs
All in beads
Yes, not a girl:
On New Year's Eve, she
Queen.
(Christmas tree.)
In winter, in the hours of fun,
I hang on a bright spruce
There will be a Christmas tree in the corner
By the window on the floor.
And on the tree to the top
Multicolored...
(Toys.)

Look through the door crack
You will see our tree.
Our tree is high
Reaches the ceiling.
From pedestal to crown
Hanging on the branches...
(Toys.)

What toy
Shoots like a gun?
(Clapperboard.)

I shoot like a gun
My name is…
(Clapperboard.)

The wheel is simple
It became a twisted ribbon.
(serpentine.)

In January,
For an important holiday
It's raining
Color, paper.
(Confetti.)

painted chains
These
Glue from paper
Children.
(Fairy lights.)

In January,
For an important holiday
It's raining
Color, paper.
(Confetti.)

Collected balls on a string
And they tied it up for decoration.
Now they shine on the Christmas tree
Through emerald needles.
(Beads.)

The branches gently rustle
Beads are bright...
(Glitter.)

And decorating the top
There it shines, as always,
Very bright, big
Five-winged...
(Star.)

A Christmas tree was born in the forest, it is in front of you.
We decorated the top with ruby...
(Star.)

The garland has a neighbor.
He sparkles in coniferous green
And New Year's meeting light
The glass side reflects.
(Christmas ball.)

Lily of the valley blooms in May
Astra blooms in autumn.
And in winter I bloom
I'm at the tree every year.
Been on the shelf for a whole year
Everyone forgot about me.
And now I'm hanging on the tree,
Slowly calling.
(Christmas ball.)

He tells everyone to dance, he makes them sing songs,
He amuses everyone in a row, he does not know tired.
All the centuries we live, friendly dance ...
(Round dance.)

The guys gathered in a circle
And they joined hands together.
So near the Christmas tree in the New Year
All children drive...
(Round dance.)

I'm at this school ball
I took an excellent suit with me.
Nobody could recognize me.
And how to call such a ball?
(Masquerade, carnival.)

There was a holiday at school, a carnival,
Everyone gathered for a noisy ball!
Goldilocks danced with me
Her face was hidden...
(Mask.)

I love dressing up for the holidays
Turn into magical animals.
Any suit I can wear -
Here I am a kitten, a lion, a bear.
What will I put on my face
Why don't you recognize me?
(Mask.)

Application №3

New Year in verse.

Winter.
Ivan Surikov

White snow, fluffy
Spinning in the air
And the earth is quiet
Falling, laying down.

And in the morning with snow
The field is white
Like a veil
All dressed him up.

Dark forest with a hat
Covered up wonderful
And fell asleep under her
Strong, unshakable...

God's days are short
The sun shines a little, -
Here come the frosts -
And winter has come.

Laborer-peasant
Pulled out the sled
snowy mountains
The kids are building.

For a long time the peasant
Waiting for winter and cold
And a straw hut
He hid outside.

To the wind in the hut
Didn't get through the cracks
Wouldn't blow snow
Blizzards and blizzards.

He is now calm
All around is covered
And he's not afraid
Evil frost, angry.

Father Frost.
Zinaida Alexandrova

Santa Claus walked through the forest
Past the maples and birches,
Past the clearings, past the stumps,
Walked through the forest for eight days.

He walked through the forest -
Christmas trees dressed up in beads.
This New Year's Eve
He will take them to the guys.

Silence in the meadows
Shining yellow moon.
All trees are in silver
Hares dance on the mountain
Ice sparkles on the pond
The New Year is coming!

New Years is soon
Z.Orlova
Soon, soon the New Year!
He's in a hurry, he's coming!
Knock on our doors:
Children, hello, I'm with you!
We celebrate the holiday
We decorate the Christmas tree
We hang toys
Balls, crackers...
Santa Claus is coming soon
Will bring us gifts -
Apples, candy...
Santa Claus, where are you?!

Tokmakova Irina
It happens in the world
That only once a year
They light up the tree
A wonderful star.
The star burns, does not melt,
Shines beautiful ice.
And immediately comes
Happy New Year!

New Year's Eve
V. Shumilin
On New Year's Eve, like in a fairy tale,
Full of wonders.
The tree hurries to the train,
Leaving the winter forest.
And the stars shine bright
And they dance.
The wind whistles
Snowstorm sings
Laughs like snowflakes
They fly all night, they fly.
And songs everywhere
They sound funny.
New Year's Eve New Year's Eve
Under New, New Year!

New Year's carnival
Yuri Kushak
Put on your mask soon!
Run into a fairy tale!
In our fairy tale, in our fairy tale
In the middle of a merry dance
Painted, magical snow
Falls on everyone!
Dancing hedgehog near the Christmas tree
In the serpentine all the needles.
- Ay yes hedgehog, ah yes hedgehog:
Who do you look like?
"To whom" yes "to whom" -
On yourself on yourself!
- What is there to ask
To no avail: I am a dancing Christmas tree!

I celebrate the New Year
Tatyana Bokova
Dad is decorating the tree.
He said that all children
This night allows
Don't go to bed at all.
Once a year this is possible
Only once, on New Year's Eve.
But imagine, as if on purpose,
As luck would have it, the mouth yawns.
I take care of my apartment.
I'm waiting for an answer to the question:
"Like gifts in this world
Does Santa Claus bring us?
How will he get to the Yolka?
Where is his magical way?"
I will fight with myself
To wait, do not fall asleep!

The Christmas tree came to the children
A. Barto
The Christmas tree came to the children,
Brought snow on the branches.
Need to warm the Christmas tree
Wear a new dress.
Stars shine brightly
Light bulbs are burning bright
Beads hang different -
Wonderful outfit!
Musicians hurry up
Play more fun!
Let's become together in a round dance,
Hello, hello New Year!

New Year
A. Rumyantsev
Ice sparkles on the river
The snow swirls softly.
Glorious New Year's holiday,
Because it's snowy!

Santa Claus will wave his hand -
We will drink loudly.
Glorious New Year's holiday,
Because it's loud!

There is a huge cake on the table
Gingerbread, chocolate.
Glorious New Year's holiday,
Because sweet!

Round dance around the Christmas tree,
Lights on branches...
Happy New Year's Eve!
Too bad it rarely happens.

Winter is in a hurry
O. Vysotskaya
Winter is hurrying, bustling,
wrapped in snow
All bumps and stumps
Benches and stacks.

Gauntlets turn white
On the branches of birches
So that they don't catch a cold
To withstand the cold.

Winter told the oak
Put on fluffy fur
I put on a fur coat on a spruce,
Warmly covered everyone.

Long and reliable
Ice stuck in the river.
You can walk along the river
Come to us, New Year!

News
Y. Kushak
Everything is new today
garden bench,
new cat,
New janitor at the gate.
White moss on the Christmas tree -
New, brand new!
The bullfinch sat on a knot -
Well, quite a newbie!
Isn't it new
Path through the yard?
I will run along it to the gate,
I will give people the news.
- Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
With new happiness! I say.

New Year's
E. Nemenko
Arrows are ticking softly
Don't rush to move forward
And that's why it's been so long
The New Year is not coming.

I'm in a musketeer costume
Near the Christmas tree, as in a dream ...
I was told - very soon
Santa Claus will come to me.

I ask adults to answer
For one simple question -
Will visit us today
The real Santa Claus?

Real! dad jokes,
Real! - jokes grandfather.
Should I laugh or cry
Ile believe in their answer ...

The bell rang in the hallway -
Here he is - Santa Claus!
Soft, warm hand
Grabbed my nose...

How to trust these adults?
I did not understand at all -
Will Frost have
Warm palms?
It's snowing outside the window
So it's New Year's Eve.
Santa Claus is on his way
It takes a long time for him to go to us
Through the snowy fields
Through the snowdrifts, through the forests.
He will bring a Christmas tree
In silver needles.
Happy New Year will congratulate us
And leave gifts for us.

Assistant
K. Bloodless
Falling snowflakes
On New Year's holiday.
Full basket
I'll pick it up today.

I will cover the Christmas tree
Soft snow blanket
Will sleep in winter
Wait for summer.

Santa Claus is tired
Apparently he didn't notice.
Lots of things to do in winter
He is in the light.

About the Christmas tree
T. Marshalova

Like our Christmas tree
green needles,
Decorations - balls,
Stars, lanterns.

Near the Christmas tree revived
snowflake stars,
In white packs spun
Ksyusha and Marina.

Bunnies run after each other
long ears,
Hats with white fur
Dima and Andryushka.

Christmas tree
O. Vysotskaya
What a beautiful Christmas tree!
How she dressed up - look!
Dress on a green tree
Bright beads glitter on the chest.
Our Christmas tree is tall and slender,
In the evening it will all sparkle
Shine of lights, and snowflakes, and stars,
Like a peacock's open tail!
Christmas tree in its golden pockets
Hid a lot of different sweets
And extended thick branches to us,
Like a hostess welcomes guests.
You won't find a better tree anywhere!
With a good Christmas tree and a good holiday!

New Year! Cheers cheers!
What a wonderful time!
Joy, songs, kids
Has been worn since morning.
Everyone is getting ready to meet
Celebrate the bright holiday.
Happiness, joy! And so
The New Year is coming!

On the Christmas tree, the ball glows,
And the globe keeps spinning...
May everyone this New Year
Meet new happiness.
May all good things come true
What is prophesied by the stars
All wishes will come true
And everything will be as you want!
Happy New Year!

Like our Christmas tree
Prickly needles.
Well, quite prickly
I'm totally confused:
hung lanterns,
Tinsel and balls.
Cotton wool and toys,
Confetti, crackers.
Tired, tired
Under the silver rain
But now the trees are more beautiful
We won't find it in the world.

To our house on New Year's Eve
Someone from the forest will come
All fluffy, in needles,
And that guest's name is ... Christmas tree.
There will be a Christmas tree in the corner
By the window on the floor.
And on the tree to the top
Multi-colored ... toys.
Grandfather will bring in gifts
Tangerines and sweets
Sasha, Masha and Marina
Very fond of ... tangerines
He lives quite a bit
Now he's waiting at the door.
Who will join us at twelve?
Well, of course ... New Year!

Good Christmas tree
V. Nesterenko
Everyone knows what the tree has
Very sharp needles.
But on New Year's Eve they
As a surprise for the kids -
Softer, kinder, kinder.
And on branches for children
There are toys and balls.
And under the Christmas tree - gifts.

You have to stand near the tree
L. Slutskaya
You have to stand near the tree
And the desire to guess.
The day will come, the hour will come
Everything will be fulfilled by the New Year.

New Year's
T. Shatskikh
On cheerful children's trees
Miracles shine in needles,
And under the tree on New Year's Eve
Everyone will find something
You just need to advance
Make a wish!

How hard is it to wait for the New Year?
Pyotr Sinyavsky
I'm tired of walking
Back and forth.
How hard is it to wait
New Year.
Comes to us with gifts
Father Frost,
Just what will he bring -
Here is the question.

I don't eavesdrop
Never,
I don't peek
Never,
But under the tree to me at least once,
At least a little
I really want now
Look in.

Santa Claus is almost
At the door.
What is hidden
Under my tree?
Here are the walkers
Speed ​​up!..
How hard is it to wait
New Year.

Application No. 4

Entertaining Christmas games.

Christmas trees are...
The host says: "Christmas trees are ... big, tall, wide, thick ...". And the children should show it, and the leader makes other movements to confuse everyone.
In bags around the Christmas tree
2 kids compete. They become bagged and kicked. The top of the bags is held by hand. On a signal, the children run around the Christmas tree in different directions. The one who runs faster wins. The game continues with the next couple.
Carry a snowball in a spoon
2 players participate. They are given in their mouths a spoon with a cotton ball in it. On a signal, the children scatter in different directions around the Christmas tree. The winner is the one who comes running first and does not drop the snowball from the spoon.
Mitten
All children stand in a circle. Santa Claus loses his mitten.
The host of the holiday finds her and, turning to Santa Claus, asks: “Santa Claus, is this not your mitten?” Santa Claus replies: “My mitten is mine, I’ll catch up with her, friends.” Children pass each other a mitten, and Santa Claus tries to take it from the children.
New Year's auction
Players take turns listing everything that happens in the New Year: Santa Claus, Snow Maiden, Christmas tree, gifts, Christmas decorations, needles on the floor, snow, lanterns, etc.
The one who runs out of ideas is out of the game. The most resourceful wins.
The most dexterous
Santa Claus and the Snow Maiden (or other characters according to the script) hold in their hands a hoop entwined with Christmas tree tinsel. Cotton balls (“snowballs”) are poured onto the floor. On the command of the heroes, children throw lumps into the hoops, then the number of hits in the Santa Claus hoop and in the Snow Maiden's hoop is counted.
dress up the Christmas tree
In front of the main Christmas tree, two small Christmas trees and two boxes with unbreakable New Year's toys are put up. Three people are called to each Christmas tree. At the command of Santa Claus, the children dress them up. Whoever decorates the Christmas tree faster and more accurately with all the toys from the box wins.
Hat
It is good to play the game with cheerful rhythmic music. Children stand in a circle. Santa Claus or the host of the holiday starts the game by shifting the hat from his head to the head of a nearby child, he, in turn, shifts the hat from his head to the head of a neighbor, and so on in a circle. At the command of Santa Claus (clap, whistle, blow with a staff), the movement stops, and the one on whom the hat is left at that moment must dance, sing or tell a winter poem, proverb, guess a riddle.
Frost portrait
1st option (individual).
Children are given pencils or markers. A piece of drawing paper is hung on an easel with magnets. You need to draw by holding a pencil or felt-tip pen with your teeth (with your eyes closed or with your left hand).
2nd option (collective).
All players are blindfolded with handkerchiefs. On a large paper, the children take turns drawing some part of the figure of Santa Claus. At the same time, the players are not informed to what place Santa Claus has already been drawn. So, it may turn out that he will have two beards or a whole pyramid of gift bags.
Snowfall in reverse
Each child is given a “snowball” (a small cotton ball). At the signal of Winter or the leader, the children loosen their lumps, launch them into the air (throwing up) and begin to blow on them from below so that they stay in the air for as long as possible and do not fall to the floor. The smartest one wins.
Who is bigger?
Santa Claus, Snow Maiden or Snowman arranges a "snowfall" - scatters a whole bunch of paper snowflakes up. Children are given baskets. On a signal, the players begin to collect snowflakes in a basket. The one with the most snowflakes wins.
Choose what you like
Children choose gifts from Santa Claus's bag by touch, describing in detail what it is and what it is like. And you can hide the gifts in boxes of different sizes so that the children dream up what can be in the box (it will be even more interesting if the smallest gift is in the largest box).
Bag of surprises
Two children compete (in turn). The first one is blindfolded and given a small bag containing various toys (cubes, balls, nesting dolls, cars, etc.). Task: to get objects out of the bag and identify them by touch. The player must answer what kind of thing he got. Then the toys change and the game is repeated with the second participant. The winner of the two is the one who correctly guessed the largest number of toys.
New Year's concert
Cards with New Year's illustrations are put into a beautiful chest: a Christmas tree, a round dance, a snowflake, an icicle, skis, sleds, etc. Children take turns taking out a card and, after looking at the image on it, they must read a poem about it or sing an excerpt from a song.
Music carousel
Chairs are placed in a circle (there are 1 less of them than the players). Among those playing Santa Claus or Snowman. Music sounds, all participants in the game begin to run around the chairs. As soon as the music stops, all the children quickly try to take their places. The adult hero plays at half strength (yielding), pretending that he does not have time to sit on a chair all the time. Since all the places are occupied by children, he will have to dance for everyone or distribute gifts.
Assemble the snowman
Details of a snowman (two copies) are cut out of whatman paper: three circles of different sizes. From colored paper: eyes, mouth, carrot nose, bucket, scarf, panicle. The called children on command on the floor near the Christmas tree quickly assemble snowmen from the proposed parts. The winner is the one who assembles the snowman more accurately, faster and more correctly, using all the prepared parts.
collect snowflake
Large snowflakes are cut into triangles. Laid out around the tree. Task: while cheerful moving music is playing, put all the details together. The winner is the one who keeps within the music and neatly folded everything.
Merry rattle
Santa Claus competes with children in running in bags or jumping on one leg around the Christmas tree. One condition is obligatory: having run around or jumped to the agreed place, you need to take a rattle - a maracas on a chair in front of the Christmas tree and ring it.
Catch up with boots
Children stand in a circle, a felt boot is given to them. Children pass the felt boots in a circle to cheerful music, and Santa Claus tries to catch up with him. Children need to pass the boots very quickly so that Santa Claus cannot take it away.
Christmas tree
The game is played by 2 teams of 2 people. At the end of the hall there are 2 boxes for each team: in one, a dismantled Christmas tree, in the other - toys. The first participant must assemble the Christmas tree, the second - decorate it with toys. The team that completes the task the fastest wins.
Who will get more snowballs
Two children are playing. Snowballs from cotton wool are scattered on the floor. The children are blindfolded and given a basket each. On a signal, they begin to collect snowballs. The one with the most snowballs wins.
Make a nose for the snowman
2 coasters are placed in front of the Christmas tree, large sheets with the image of snowmen are attached to them. Two or more children are involved. They are blindfolded. On a signal, the children should reach the snowmen and stick their nose (it could be a carrot). Other children help with words: to the left, to the right, below, above ...
Carry in a bag
A bag is placed in front of the Christmas tree (it is partitioned into 2 parts, one of them has no bottom). Santa Claus calls children who want to ride in a bag. He puts the child in a bag and carries him around the Christmas tree. He puts another child in that part of the bag where there is no bottom. Santa Claus walks around the Christmas tree, and the child remains in place. Santa Claus returns and is “surprised”. The game is repeated.
Catch a snowball
Several couples are involved. Children stand opposite each other at a distance of approximately 4 meters. One child has an empty bucket, the other has a bag with a certain amount of “snowballs” (tennis or rubber balls). On a signal, the child throws snowballs, and the partner tries to catch them with a bucket. The first pair to finish the game and collect the most snowballs wins.

Application No. 5

Advice for parents.

Why do children believe in Santa Claus?

With the first snow, snowstorms and blizzards, more and more often we hear stories and dreams about the upcoming holiday, loved by both kids and adults - the New Year. Well, what is the new year without Santa Claus? Indeed, for a child in the New Year's holiday, the most important thing is the good Santa Claus! Kids "write" letters to their grandfather, and we .... and we try to fulfill their cherished dreams.
And why does a child need a fairy tale about Santa Claus? I bring to your attention several weighty reasons in favor of this.
The first reason: faith in a miracle!
The tale of Santa Claus is a belief in a miracle, where good always triumphs over evil. After all, Santa Claus brings gifts to everyone, despite their whims and disobedience. The fact that a child "writes a letter" to Santa Claus, and then finds his treasured gift under the tree, teaches the baby to believe in a miracle. Over the years, this belief goes deep into the subconscious.
And even having understood at a certain age that Santa Claus does not exist, the mechanism of belief in a miracle has already been formed. Why is it needed, you ask? Yes, because everyone has events in life when a person himself cannot rely on himself, but can only hope for a miracle (for example, unrequited love or a serious illness, when medicine is already powerless to help). And if this very belief in a miracle, which is laid in us at an early age, is not formed, then it is not so easy to survive such an event in life, the psyche may simply not be able to cope.
The second reason: for educational purposes.
Of course, you can come up with a few tricks so that faith in Santa Claus is also educational. For example, before calling Santa Claus, you can write a letter to a crumb from a kind grandfather from the very North: “Well done, this year you learned this and that .... Therefore, receive such gifts ... BUT I also saw that you are still not doing very well .... (note: in no case do not criticize the child, do not write that he is doing something badly, some bad deeds, otherwise the child may simply close up). I really hope that next year you will learn how to do it better than anyone (good / excellent ...)".
So, with a little imagination, you can tell the children what is "Good" and what is "Bad."
However, many parents "speculate" with gifts from Santa Claus for educational purposes. When a child is naughty a lot, does not obey, is capricious, they say: "Is that so? Then Grandfather Frost will not bring you anything! Good children will receive gifts, but you will not!" Child psychologists do not advise to speak like that. Santa Claus is a generous fairy-tale character, kind even to his fairy-tale enemies. With such efforts, a good grandfather turns into a New Year's scarecrow for the child, the arrival of which the child no longer looks forward to, but is simply afraid. Cope with the child's behavior in other ways, so as not to spoil the baby's anticipation of the holiday, or the holiday itself.
Reason three: it's simple and fun!
New Year's entourage, expectation of a holiday and belief in a miracle, pre-holiday mood - it's always fun, fervently and very exciting. If a child writes a letter to Santa Claus, then the dream of a cherished gift will warm him until New Year's Eve. In addition, writing a letter to Santa Claus for a preschooler is a great job.
And the long-awaited arrival of Santa Claus? In the Kindergarten, children learn poems for a good grandfather, prepare songs and dances for him. And with the arrival, they share their innermost thoughts and dreams with him .... In any case, this event remains in our memory for a long time. Moreover, at present we have access to services such as calling Santa Claus at home.
And with what bated breath, on the morning of January 1, the children run to the New Year tree in order to finally get what they have been waiting for so long and once again make sure that the good grandfather again fulfilled their cherished dreams... Children's faith in the good Santa Claus educates them sincerity in communication, develops their imagination and symbolic perception of the world.
Reason four: health!
Have you ever noticed that before the New Year holidays and during the holidays themselves, your children get sick less often? But everything is very simple: preparation for the holiday, pre-holiday mood, expectation of a miracle, the joy of communication create a good emotional atmosphere in the house. In turn, doctors, psychologists and teachers have repeatedly noticed that a good emotional and harmonious background has a beneficial effect not only on mental, but also on physical health. The feeling of happiness, joy and celebration improves the emotional background of a person and has a beneficial effect on the immunity and health of the child.

The history of the New Year is distinguished by many ancient Russian traditions, combined with borrowed customs and rituals from other countries. It is known that the holiday originates from ancient times.

The incredible interweaving of ancient Slavic, European, Asian and Christian traditions makes this holiday truly unique. How was the New Year born and what interesting facts lie in its origins?

13 facts about the New Year holiday

1. New Year of the ancient Slavs. The ancient Slavs celebrated the arrival of the New Year in the spring. From March, the awakening of nature began, a new period of life for plants and animals. It is considered that New Year among the ancient Slavs- it Maslenitsa, and it is after seeing off winter that the New Year comes. According to other sources, the main winter holiday of the ancestors is considered Kolyada. The winter solstice was celebrated in late December - early January. Echoes and customs of this holiday have merged with the modern New Year. It was from those times that fortune-telling began, the tradition of decorating your home and treating mummers. There is also a mention of an ancient winter holiday called Avsen. It was celebrated at the same time. According to legend, the ritual character Avsen lit the sun wheel, which symbolized the beginning of a new life.
2. New Year after the baptism of Russia. With the adoption of Christianity, the New Year is celebrated March 1. A new chronology appears - the Julian calendar, according to which the year was divided into months and given names to them. Before the adoption of Christianity and the reckoning from the creation of the world, the account was kept by seasons. For several centuries in a row, March 1 was considered the beginning of the year. This was the case until 1492, when John III hasn't issued a decree since New Year began to be celebrated on September 1. The celebrations were held solemnly: every year in Moscow they held a magnificent celebration, at midnight a cannon shot sounded, and church bells rang. Despite the fact that the holiday was celebrated in the fall, it is quite similar to the modern New Year.
3. New Year twice a year. So, September 1 New Year was celebrated from 1492 to 1699. In 1700, Peter I issued a decree according to which the celebration of the New Year was to take place on January 1. Many did not like this decision - the winter New Year was not accepted by the people for a long time. Having fun and celebrating the holiday had to be forced literally by force. Thanks to the tough character of Peter and the ingenuity of Elizabeth I, who organized lavish festivities and masquerade balls, the tradition nevertheless took root. However, for many years the holiday was celebrated 2 times: according to the old custom - in September, and in winter - as prescribed by the decree of the Emperor. Many generations passed before the autumn New Year was finally abandoned.
4. New Year traditions until the 20th century. During the reign of Peter branches of birch or spruce were the symbol of the New Year. New Year's toys were also absent - they came to us much later, in the 19th century. Instead, apples, nuts, eggs and sweets served as decorations, that is, everything edible that could be found in the house, which had a rounded shape. The tradition of drinking champagne also came a little later, after the defeat of Napoleon. Since then, drinking French champagne has been a New Year's tradition. By the 19th century, the New Year became the most beloved and long-awaited holiday. Residents of the whole country arrange magnificent balls and mass feasts, and roast pigs and radishes are invariably present on the festive table.
5. Soviet ban: New Year without a Christmas tree. According to scientists, they began to decorate the Christmas tree in the 16th century in Germany - it was from there that the tradition began throughout Europe. In Russia, this custom was introduced by Peter I, but the rite became widespread only in the 19th century. With the coming to power of the Soviet government, it was forbidden to celebrate Christmas and decorate the Christmas tree. In the planned fight against religion and Orthodox holidays, the New Year tree was called a "priestly" custom. The ban was lifted 17 years later, in 1935. And since 1947, January 1 was officially considered a public holiday. In Soviet times, there is also a new custom that has survived to this day - Olivier salad. The missing French ingredient was invented to be replaced with boiled sausage. In the same period, Father Frost and the Snow Maiden appear - two favorite folk characters.
   
6. How did the old New Year. The history of this holiday takes its toll beginning in 1918, when the Soviet government decided to keep up with progressive countries by issuing a decree on a new chronology - instead of the Julian Gregorian calendar became official. Since the 20th century, the difference between the two calendars is 13 days. Due to the refusal of the Russian Orthodox Church to accept the new calendar, 2 holidays appeared: New Year and Old New Year. According to the Gregorian calendar, January 14 corresponds to January 1 of the Julian. Thus, the Russians celebrate the New Year together with the rest of the world, without denying themselves a church holiday. The name Old New Year is the result of the fact that it appeared earlier than the modern one.
7. Christian Church: irreconcilable contradictions. For believing Christians, celebrating the New Year according to Russian canons is problematic. Adhering to a strict 40-day fast, which lasts until Christmas, that is, until January 7, it is impossible to feast at the festive table. According to religious rules on January 1, you need to give up animal products, alcohol and fun. It turns out that the traditional New Year, which has been celebrated in Russia for over 300 years, is contrary to Orthodox traditions. Unlike the Orthodox The Catholic Church celebrates Christmas on December 25 Therefore, Catholics celebrate the New Year without breaking the fast.
8. As you meet, so you will spend. In Ancient Russia, on January 1, Vasily's Day was just passing, which can be considered the New Year of our ancestors. All the best was always put on the festive table, and it was always decorated with roast pigs in honor of Vasily, the patron saint of swineherds. The celebrants put on only new clothes, not worn, drank vodka, beer, mead. According to ancient belief, the whole year will pass as you meet him, so you have to try, not sparing your stomach. And how could it be otherwise, because the whole year is at stake! You need to work hard at the table for a good year, so celebrating the New Year for 14 days is an ancient tradition, not a whim. Russians know that it is necessary to celebrate the holiday according to ancient traditions, the modern way of life, and at the same time, do not forget about the church.
9. Source of fun: crackers, sparklers and fireworks. Tradition fun and bright celebrate the New Year with crackers and fireworks came to us from ancient China. Residents of China celebrate the New Year on a grand scale - shots and claps rattle throughout the day. But if for Russians this is just fun, then Asian countries believe that they exorcise evil spirits in this way. According to legend, evil spirits at this time are looking for shelter, and if they are not scared away properly, they will settle in the house and cause many different troubles to the owners. Despite the fact that we do not use firecrackers and crackers on such a scale, it is unlikely that any holiday today can do without this ritual. Bengal lights also come from Asia, or rather from Indian Bengal. The history of their appearance is unknown, which does not prevent lighting a bright sparkling fire on your favorite holiday.
10. Snowmen and snowmen. Another ancient Slavic tradition that has survived to this day is the modeling of a snowman and a snow woman. In the old days, the inhabitants believed that the winter would not be too severe if a snowman was made on the day of the winter solstice. And the snowman was considered the spirit of winter, from whom you can ask for help. With the help of a broom in their hands, snowmen could fly to the sky - it was there that they commanded snow and fog, therefore solemn rituals were held in honor of the heavenly inhabitants.
11. History of Santa Claus. The first mentions of Santa Claus are found among the ancient Slavs: the winter spirit Morok, aka Morozko, sent severe frost and cold, and covered the rivers with ice. Unlike the modern Grandfather, who himself gives gifts, his ancestor, on the contrary, received gifts. Pancakes, jelly and other treats were put on the windows for a stern spirit to appease him. The first mention in the literature of Santa Claus is found in Odoevsky's "Tales of Grandfather Iriney" in 1840.
12. Birthday of Santa Claus. Writing a letter to Santa Claus before the New Year is an important ritual for every child. The absence of a birthday for a beloved character was very upsetting for the children, so Santa Claus came up with a date when you can wish him a happy birthday. Since 2005, children have been celebrating this holiday on November 18 - this date was invented by the children themselves. The day was not chosen by chance. The birthplace of the birthday boy is Veliky Ustyug. In mid-November, colds come to this region, and the rivers are covered with ice. True, the exact age of Santa Claus is unknown - it is believed that he is over 2000 years old. Both local kids and tourists can congratulate their favorite character. For these purposes, a mailbox is specially opened. Santa Claus is so loved that the employees of the Pension Fund awarded him the title of "Veteran of fabulous work."
    
13. Snow Maiden. At the Snow Maiden like Santa Claus I have a birthday that falls on April 5th. Motherland of the Snow Maiden – the village of Shchelykovo, in the house-museum of the writer A. N. Ostrovsky, who created this fairy-tale character by writing the play of the same name. According to Ostrovsky's play, the Snow Maiden was Father Frost's daughter. In Soviet times, when the Kremlin Christmas trees were held, according to the scenarios of popular New Year's plays, the Snow Maiden and Father Frost are each other's granddaughter and grandfather. The Snow Maiden, as an integral part of the New Year, became widespread in the 50s of the XX century.

New Year is one of the most long-awaited and magical holidays. Its amazing story speaks of the great love of our ancestors for this holiday, which has come down to us hundreds of years later.