Celebrating New Year in the US and UK

The new year is thought of as a time to celebrate, and people often hope that the new year will bring good changes in their lives, and more happiness or better luck. Some people make special promises about improving their behaviour or stopping bad habits, called New Year’s resolutions. People usually promise to do things such as lose weight, or stop smoking, but most people do not manage to succeed with their resolutions for very long.
People in the US and UK celebrate New Year’s Eve (December 31st) especially by going to parties and drinking a lot of alcohol. It is traditional to stay awake until midnight to ‘see the New Year in’ (= experience the start of the new year). People typically count the last few seconds until it is midnight, and then shout ‘Happy New Year’. Then people traditionally sing a special song called Auld Lang Syne, and friends kiss each other.
In Scotland, New Year’s Eve is an especially important celebration, and is known as Hogmanay.
The first day of the year, Janurary 1st, is called New Year’s Day and it is a public holiday in both the US and the UK.