December is approaching, and behind it is the New Year - a time of miracles, gifts and magic. A special New Year's atmosphere is created by unchangeable attributes and traditions, revered since childhood. The main holiday has been celebrated widely and on a grand scale since the times of the USSR. The main attributes of the New Year's mood were also preserved from there. Some of them are still relevant today.
Christmas tree, Christmas tree, forest scent
The main sign of the approaching New Year is the Christmas tree. Any: artificial or live, green or silver, small or up to the ceiling - the main thing is that it is there. Now, of course, the choice of Christmas trees is unlimited. But the smell of living spruce needles reminds me of childhood, when together with my parents I decorated it with glass balls and homemade flags.
Christmas trees are not only put up at home. They decorate everything: shops and cinemas, museums and beauty salons, city squares and public gardens. In kindergartens, children have been dancing around the Christmas tree at matinees for many years, without breaking the Soviet tradition.
Another ritual associated with the New Year tree is the gifts that are usually left under it. So not a single New Year's celebration takes place without a forest beauty. Well, or at least without a decorated pine twig.
Master Wizards
The official wizards of the New Year are Father Frost and Snow Maiden. These images were formed during the Soviet Union and at the present time remain values from the past.Some people prefer Santa Claus with reindeer and elves, but there are only a few of them. The Russian people will not part with Santa Claus, without whom the New Year will not come.
A kind grandfather brings gifts home to the kids under the Christmas tree or to a kindergarten party. And even though a theater worker is hiding under his caftan, on such a holiday he is a little bit of Santa Claus.
Tangerine aroma
With tangerines it’s like with a New Year’s tree. These two smells - pine and citrus - are associated with the main winter holiday. Now tangerines and oranges are available all year round. And they arrived in the USSR only from Abkhazia and Georgia. And only in December. This is where the tradition of decorating the New Year's table with tangerines began.
Splashes of champagne
In the Soviet Union, champagne was only “Soviet”. There were no other brands of sparkling wine. There is even a legend that the leader of the nations, Joseph Stalin himself, ordered to celebrate the holiday with “Soviet champagne.” And later the government of the USSR decided to provide citizens of the “Soviets” with a bottle of champagne for the winter holidays. This is how the drink became popular and consolidated its position on the New Year’s table.
Garland lights
Electric garlands of the past seem primitive compared to those of today. But how much joy flashing lights painted in different colors gave Soviet children! Even now, garlands create a festive mood. An LED miracle framing a New Year's tree, trees on the street or Christmas figures - they all create a feeling of something magical and from childhood.
While the clock strikes 12
Everyone knows that the beginning of the new year comes after the chiming clock on New Year's midnight. It is also known that the most cherished wishes, which are sure to come true, are made during the same chimes on New Year’s Eve. And if the wish was written down on a piece of paper, which was burned and thrown into a glass of “Soviet champagne”, a slice of tangerine was eaten and everything was done before the clock struck 12 – then the probability of its fulfillment increases 100 times.
Present
Through letters to Santa Claus in childhood, one could hint to parents about a long-awaited gift. True, to receive such a gift you had to behave well all year. Having grown up, it became clear what Santa Claus was like and where he got them from, but the feeling of a fairy tale when receiving a New Year's gift remained the same. On the main winter holiday for many decades, people have been happy to give and receive gifts. And its cost and size are unimportant. The main thing is the kindness, joy and warmth with which it is presented.
Everyone awaits the New Year with joy and trepidation, regardless of age. With it comes hope for something better, happier and kinder. So that this joyful expectation does not fade away, it is important to remember the traditions that give this bright feeling.
