1. Grandfather Frost (Дед Мороз)
Ded Moroz is Santa Claus’s counterpart in Russia. He visits around the New Years and has a lot of duties. Although he brings some of the presents for the kids he can also be found turning on the lights on the Fur Trees around the country, bringing kids sweets, and he wears a long coat decorated with fur and a hat trimmed in fur. To learn everything you need to know about Grandfather Frost you can read this post.
2. Snowmaiden (Снегурочка)
During the 1930ties in the USSR Snegurochka came along to keep Ded Moroz company. She is his granddaughter and is made out of snow. There is a well-known fairy-tale about her. She helps Ded Moroz with children and presents.
3. Children’s costumes (детские новогодние костюмы)
A lot of children participate in children’s parties and performances where they usually need to be dressed as a certain character. Bunnies and snowflakes are very common.
4. Holiday poems and song (праздничные стихи и песни)
Most children will learn songs and poems about winter and new year’s. The ever popular children’s song V Lesu Rodilas Yolochka is something every child and adult will be able to sing to you. If you have a Ded Moroz or Snegurochka come visit you with presents, you need to recite at least a small poem to them to thank them for coming.
5. Fur Tree (Ёлка)
Whether an artificial or a live tree – most homes will have one, decorated with fragile balls, icicles and lots of tinsel. Either a star or a dome with a spire are the usual toppers for the tree. In some families it’s traditional to hang the chocolate candies on the tree as a treat for everyone.
6. Yolka Shows (детский праздник Ёлка)
Most children get to attend a New year’s show with Ded Moroz , Snegurochka and other magical performers tell a tale of adventure with a happy ending. As part of the show kid tend to get a container with sweets.
7. Presents (Подарки)
This is the holiday for presents. Some give them in the evening before going to bed, other in the morning on January 1st, but all look forward to getting something for the family that they will enjoy.
8. Overabundance of Food (Стол ломится от еды)
Early in the day on the 31st and sometime even for several days prior to that the salads, meats, sides, sandwiches and desserts are being prepared. If the table doesn’t have more food than twice the number of guests can eat, it’s unusual. We pretty much expect to keep eating the leftovers for several days afterwards.
9. Olivier Salad (салат Оливье)
This salad is the centerpiece of most holiday celebrations, and definitely the New Year’s table will star a version of it. Every family has their variations of the salad, the kind of meat to put, the kid of veggies, mayo with sour cream or only mayo. In our family you would put cut up bologna sausage, boiled eggs, cucumbers, pickles, cooked carrots, cooked potatoes, canned peas, mayo, parsley, scallions.
10. Champagne (Шампанское)
Although it’s actually the white sparkling wine that you would find on the tables, not the true Champagne, but that’s what all Russians would call it. In the USSR time it would be the Sovetskoye Shampanskoye, nowadays you can find a variety of brands depending on your taste (sweeter, drier, pink, etc.)
11. The Irony of Fate Movie (фильм “Ирония Судьбы”)
Yes. Russians would watch it every year. Yes, Russians can quote most of the movie by heart. Yes, it’s about 3 hours long and has 2 parts. It’s a classic. It’s on when you are cutting up your salads for the holiday table, it still make everyone laugh.
12. “Blue Lights” Shows (Голубой Огонёк)
A variety of music shows are on most popular channels. They are usually recorded in advance and feature the most popular singers and bands, as well as the beloved ones that remain knows for generations. If you ever wonder who is popular currently in Russia – what several of these and you will be up to speed on Russian pop scene.
13. President’s Speech
Right before midnight the president will be on all the TVs giving the speech about the past year and the hopes for the year to come. It lasts several minutes only.
https://youtu.be/v2mjIVNaJ-Q
14. Chime of Kuranti Clock (Бой Курантов)
At midnight the clock on the big tower of the Red Square is chiming twelve times and that’s how the new year’s start is marked.
Police officers photograph fireworks as they guard Red Square in Moscow, Russia, in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Jan. 1, 2016. Putin is using his New Yearís message to commemorate both the countryís current fight in Syria and the battles of World War II seven decades ago. The recorded message was being televised just before midnight Thursday in each of Russiaís nine time zones. (AP Photo/Denis Tyrin)
15. Fireworks (Фейерверк)
All over you will see and hear the fireworks. Some are beautiful and professional, but also a lot of backyard fireworks are put together by people on the streets and go off all through the night.
16. Friends and Family (Друзья и Семья)
You tend to spend this holiday with your family as a child and a you get kids of your won but lots of college age kids and young adult prefer to go out and spend it with their friends. Many times the evening and the chime of Kuranti is in the family circle and after that you go visit your friends. It’s traditional to call everyone you care about who is not with you as soon after midnight as possible to wish them a happy new year! It may be hard to reach them as the lines are overwhelmed with calls and it may be hard to get through.
