Bonjour tout le monde,
Today, it is the last day of 2018. I am sure that some of you, are celebrating New year's day eve. Maybe you are wondering how people in France, celebrate this event.
There are two types of people who celebrate New year's day. Those celebrate the 31st of December on evening and those, the 1st of January.
December of 31 is called the Saint-Sylvestre. This evening, people invites mostly their family or their friends, or both at home. Some prefers to celebrate somewhere else such at clubs, at a restaurant or going to a dancing dinner.
The dinner lasts a long time because there are a lot of meals. Moreover, French like spending their time to eat and talk around a table. Children are less patient and play between two meals.
At midnight, they wish to each other a happy new year and a good health. They use party favors. Children are very happy to play with these. The party can last up to 4 o'clock or more. It is up where you celebrate New year's eve/ New year day. Night clubs'parties can finish at 4:00 am. Then, for those who have still energies, carry on by eating a soup labelled la soupe à l'oignon (onion soup) or warm croissants with coffee or other hot drinks at home.
On new year's day, French people celebrate this event but it is quieter, less noisy. Some relatives or friends come to wish a happy new year on afternoon. Traditionally, hosts often offer a brioche with a hot drink, or sparkling alcohol drink or champagne. On the evening, guests are off.
In the past, in countrysides, people visited their neighbours or some friends in the village. This tradition is lost now. In the early of 80's, this began to disappear.
Do you want to know some expressions or word in French?
Bonne année et bonne santé can be translated by happy new year and have a good health.
Meilleurs voeux can be translated by best wishes.
Le réveillon, la veille du nouvel, can be translated by new Year's Eve.
Souhaiter la bonne année can be translated by wishing the new year's day.
Les cotillons can be translated by party favors.
Fêter le nouvel an can be translated by celebrating the new year
Faire de nouvelles résolutions (que tu ne tiendras pas.....) can be translated by making new resolutions (that you will not hold .....) 😂
