New Year is not our way: how do they decorate houses in other countries?

The New Year enters our homes with the smell of pine and tangerine, with rustling tinsel, shimmering garlands and, of course, a gorgeous Christmas tree, on which we are accustomed to hanging a variety of toys, sweets, and “rain.” This is how we understand that the main holiday is coming, and we look forward to it. But what elements of New Year's decor do residents of other countries use? How do they fill their homes with a special magical atmosphere?

Germany

The Germans always take a very solemn approach to interior decoration. In almost every home you will see multi-colored lights, wreaths made of pine branches and, of course, figurines of Santa Claus. Moreover, the Germans begin to decorate long before the celebration itself. There are always thematic designs on the windows, and when creating wreaths, mistletoe is often used - an evergreen shrub plant - which is usually supplemented with 4 candles.

The Germans are very sentimental and family people, so they create a lot of jewelry themselves - with the whole family. As a rule, green and red predominate in New Year's decor.

England

A Christmas tree is a must-have attribute in English homes. It is decorated richly - toys, ribbons, bows, garlands, improvised candles, gold and silver threads, hearts, tinsel. As in Germany, the British are very fond of mistletoe: it is believed that it has special magic and will definitely bring good luck in the coming year.

In England, it is customary to hang New Year's socks on the fireplace - for every child. According to custom, Santa puts his gifts for the kids there. The main color used in decor is red. It is present on many elements: paper napkins, tablecloths, holiday pillowcases on sofa cushions, curtains.

Sweden, Norway, Denmark

Although the people of these northern countries value minimalism, the New Year is an occasion to deviate a little from the principles. For several decades now, people in Scandinavia have been decorating every corner of their home for the holiday. In almost any room you can see small figures of animals, gnomes, various fairy-tale characters, pine cones, stars, gingerbread houses. Entire compositions are made from them and painstakingly placed on open shelves, tables, and window sills.

Lighting design is of particular importance: flickering lights, candles, spotlights - they are also installed throughout the house, immersing it in a special atmosphere of magic.

In Scandinavia, they always decorate the front door with a spruce wreath with bright ribbons and bows.

Mexico

The arbolito Christmas tree often replaces pine or spruce. It is decorated with balls, figurines of angels, figurines of Mary, Jesus, and the Magi. But the whole city is also changing. Bright confetti and colorful ribbons are everywhere.

Japan

According to tradition, the Japanese make their own New Year's tree, and it is called kadomatsu. It is made from different materials (pine, bamboo, rope), decorated with ferns, fruits, shrimp, seaweed and placed at the front door - it is believed that this is a sign of respect to the god of the holiday.

Every Japanese decorates his home with three branches:

• bamboo - so that children grow up healthy and strong;
• plum - for the patience and endurance of the owners;
• pine - so that loved ones live long and are healthy.

China

The whole house is decorated in red - canvases with hieroglyphs are hung, 5 red strips of paper are pasted on, meaning good luck, happiness, wealth, longevity and honor. It is believed that this shade scares away evil spirits, so in some cities of the country windows and doors are sealed with red tape.

Branches of pine or cypress are laid out in the rooms, and blooming peach trees are placed at the entrance to the house. The New Year tree is decorated with buds, garlands and paper lanterns.

Iran

Here it is customary to plant wheat or lentil grains in pots shortly before the New Year. Then fresh sprouted greens are necessarily placed on the festive table as a symbol of the eternal rebirth of nature.

Decorating a table is a special activity for every Iranian. As a rule, there must be a Koran on it, and if the family is not religious, then a collection of poems by Hafiz. Nearby is a mirror with candles around it. In some houses, the decor is complemented with painted eggs.

Before the New Year, Iranians place an unusual decor in their room - a container of water in which an orange is immersed. This will certainly seem very strange to some, but for the inhabitants of this country, such decoration is a symbol of the Earth in the ocean of Space.

Greece

Here, the main attribute of the holiday is not the pine tree, but the pomegranate tree. This is what they dress up just before the New Year. But the fruits are sure to be present on every table. In general, the Greeks have a tradition: at exactly midnight the head of the family goes out into the street and throws a pomegranate against the wall. The grains have scattered - all loved ones will be happy in the coming year.

India

Here, too, they decorate not a Christmas tree at all, but a mango or banana tree.Mango leaves or poinsettia are used as home decor - a very beautiful bright flower.