New year's eve

 What is New Year's Eve?

    The answer is short - it is 31st of December, the last day of the year.

What do people in the UK usually do ?

Many people spend most of December 31 quietly. They may spend time outdoors, reading the reviews of the last year in newspapers or resting in preparation for the New Year's Eve parties that begin in the late afternoon or evening. People who host parties may spend a large part of the day preparing food and arranging drinks. In the evening, New Year's Eve parties usually go on for many hours, well beyond midnight. Some, particularly young people, may choose to spend the evening in pubs, clubs or discos. 

Just before midnight, people turn on a radio or television to see the countdown of the last few minutes of the old year and the display of fireworks just after midnight. At this point, people often hug and kiss each other, even strangers, and many start singing Auld Lang Syne, a poem written by Scottish poet Robert Burns.

Public Life

 December 31 is not a public holiday. However, schools are closed for the Christmas holidays and many people have a day off work or leave earlier than usual. Stores and post offices are generally open, but may close earlier than usual. Public transport systems may run to their usual schedule, but they may have a reduced service or close down totally in the late afternoon or evening.

Here's a list of simple questions about New Year's Eve.

Do you celebrate New Year's Eve where you live?

Yes, we do.

What do you do on New Year's Eve?

We get dressed, we get ready for a great meal, we watch TV, tidy up our houses, sometimes we sleep, sometimes we buy presents or food, send emails to our relatives and friends.

Do you have a special dinner or party?

Yes, we do. We have a very special dinner, and sometimes we have very special parties.

 Do you stay awake until midnight?

Yes, we do!