New Year holidays in Russia, including Christmas according to the Western and Eastern Christian calendars, are celebrated for more than two weeks, from December 25 to January 14. Their series ends with the old New Year, which, albeit not very solemnly, is still celebrated in Russia and some CIS countries.
Instructions
Step 1
In Russia, these days, from December 31 to January 1 according to the old style, were, first of all, a holiday of "magic" of the future generous harvest. On New Year's Eve, the hostesses cooked ritual porridge, wailing over it special words that were supposed to bring the whole family a comfortable life next year. The boiled porridge was eaten by all the household members, and by how well it was, they judged what the coming year would be like. Since it is believed that the old New Year brings contentment and prosperity to the house, congratulating on this holiday, first of all, it is customary to wish material well-being and abundance, as well as good health.
Step 2
On the night of the old New Year, it was also customary to go home and congratulate neighbors or relatives, singing special songs promising prosperity to the owners. If you are invited to celebrate the old New Year, it will be good to follow this old tradition: learn with the children a few "old New Year" song-chants. They are supposed to be completed by sprinkling grain on the floor in the owners' apartment at the entrance and in the hallway. Congratulating your friends in this way, you prophesy them material well-being for the next year.
Step 3
Gifts presented on this holiday should also symbolize an increase in income in the new year: give your friends or loved ones a piggy bank, a talisman coin, a box, or the so-called "money tree" - a fat woman. A fruit basket representing abundance would also be a good gift.
Step 4
If you yourself are expecting guests this evening, then you can congratulate them by making each original “happy predictions”: after all, one of the traditional entertainments in the old New Year has long been various fortune-telling. Prepare predictions in advance by writing on paper or cardboard and colorfully, brightly arrange. Involve children in this process, explaining to them that such original congratulations and wishes must certainly be kind and promise well-being in everything. "Magic" congratulations, predicting good luck in the new year, all those present at the festive table, in turn, are taken out of the fabric bag at random.
Step 5
Do not forget to congratulate those who are far from you: this can be done using traditional SMS messages, but it will be much more pleasant for friends and family to receive a greeting card from you. It is better to do it with your own hands: after all, this holiday is unusual, uncommon, and therefore the congratulation should be unique. Finally, it is worth arranging another holiday for the children and giving them gifts again: may the New Year's miracle continue for them.
