It's not New Years!

We definitely didn't have fireworks. When I first came to Germany as an au pair, in 1973, and the parents of the children I was looking after went out for a New Year's Eve party, the father said, just as he was going - "don't forget to look out of the window at midnight". I thought they might have put a bottle of champagne on the balcony for me, or something.

So I was very surprised to see that fireworks were going off all over town. I hadn't expected that at all.

The Germans thought that New Year's Eve in France was boring because they didn't have fireworks at New Year either. The French have them on 14th July, but there is no other day when fireworks are let off in Germany. The sales regulations for fireworks are very strict - they are only allowed to be sold on 29th - 31st December. However, people do import them from elsewhere, or save them, because there are always a few go off when Germany scores a goal in an international football match.

It wasn't until the Millennium celebrations, ringing in the year 2000, that fireworks were let off all over the world, and since then it has caught on in other countries (such as the UK and France)

31st of December is St Silvester's night - so anything to do with New Year's Eve is called Silvester.... in Germany. Silvesterparty, Silvesternacht, etc.

Sorry - that was all a bit boring. I hope everyone has a lovely evening and a great start to the New Year, whatever you call it!

I don't know about the New Years thing but since I came to England I notice that people say "Happy New Year" the day before or even before that, whereas in Scotland I'm sure people only actually say it on New Year's Day!

Has anyone else noticed this?

I don't know about the New Years thing but since I came to England I notice that people say "Happy New Year" the day before or even before that, whereas in Scotland I'm sure people only actually say it on New Year's Day!

Has anyone else noticed this?

I don't know about the New Years thing but since I came to England I notice that people say "Happy New Year" the day before or even before that, whereas in Scotland I'm sure people only actually say it on New Year's Day!

Has anyone else noticed this?

I don't know about the New Years thing but since I came to England I notice that people say "Happy New Year" the day before or even before that, whereas in Scotland I'm sure people only actually say it on New Year's Day!

Has anyone else noticed this?

Yes, annemarg, I feel that "Happy New Year" is what we say on New Year's Day - as soon as the bells chime in fact - and for several days afterwards when meeting friends for the first time in a year. Today I was a bit taken aback to be wished a Happy New Year by a friend, but as she is English, what you say would explain it. Obviously I haven't met her on Hogmanay before! Naturally I wished her the same and we parted on good terms and with mutual satisfaction

It was deemed unlucky to wish anyone " Happy New Year " before the bells at midnight on the 31st . If you wanted to say it you said " Happy NewYear when it comes "

Did you bring in the New Year? We went to bed at 8pm and would have slept through if it had not been for the fireworks waking us up.

Happy New Year everyone! Hope this one is better than the last.

annemarg it is customary in UK to wish people 'Happy New Year' the first time you meet them in the New Year. It does not have to be on New Year's Day.

We used to party but we don't stay up now as there is no body around to party with.

Isn't Scotland in the UK any more? Has Independence gone through while I was out of action with some virus or other?

Yes, annmarg I moved in the opposite direction, but I noticed that too. New Year in Scotland is the first of January. New Year's Eve is Hogmanay. People wish one another a Happy New Year the first time they meet after midnight, sometimes it is a few days later, but it peters out once January is well on its way.

Towards the end of December, they may say that they hope someone has a Guid New Year "if I don't see you".

Elegran, yes Scotland is still part of the 'United' Kingdom. Although Mrs Sturgeon would have it otherwise. Long may it remain I say. Lovely people the Scots. I remember watching was it Jimmy Shand and his band letting in the New Year and we always enjoyed it. We used to go first footing when I was younger, with money, coal and food of some kind. That seems to have died out now. Isn't it strange how that happens?

When we lived in Norway we let the New Year in twice as they were on a different time from us by one hour.

Just found out that my niece got engaged to a lovely man on the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve! So happy for her.
She got bells and fireworks and a beautiful ring.

Our famer neighbour had the hunt for dinner last Wednesday and the most amazing firework display followed, which we could see from our windows, much to the delight of my grandchildren.

Were they tasty and did he eat the dogs as well?