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“ A HAPPY NEW YEAR ”

NEW YEAR IN ENGLAND

In England the New Year is not as widely or as enthusiastically observed as Christmas. Some people ignore it completely and go to bed as usual on New Years Eve. Many others, however, celebrate it in one way or another.

The most common type of celebration is a New Year party, either a family party or one arranged by a group of young people. This usually begins at about eight oclock and goes on until the early hours of the morning. Sometimes the hosts make a big bowl of punch which consists of wine, spirits, fruit juice and water in varying proportions. There is usually a buffet supper of cold meat, pies, sandwiches, cakes and biscuits.

At midnight the radio is turned on, so that everyone can hear the chimes of Big Ben, and on the hour a toast is drunk to the New Year. Then the party goes on.

Another popular way of celebrating the New Year is to go to a New Years dance. Most hotels and dance halls hold a special dance on New Years Eve. The hall is decorated, there are several different bands and the atmosphere is very gay.

The most famous celebration is in London round the statue of Eros in Piccadilly Circus where crowds gather and sing to welcome the New Year. In Trafalgar Square there is also a big crowd and someone usually falls into the fountain.

Those who have no desire or no opportunity to celebrate the New Year themselves, can sit and watch other people celebrating on television.

January 1 st , New Years Day, is not a public holiday, unfortunately for those who like to celebrate most of the night. Some people send New Year cards and give presents, but it is not a widespread custom. This is the traditional time for making New Year resolutions, for example to give up smoking or to get up earlier. However, these are generally more talked about than put into practice.

NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

Characters : Mr. Small, Mrs. Small, Timothy (their son), Susan (their daughter), Grandma, Rocky ( the dog ).

Scene I

Setting : Its January 1 st . The family are having breakfast.

Timothy : We make our New Year resolutions today. What are you going to do, Susan?

Susan : I want to get up early every day and take Rocky for a walk before school starts. Have you made any resolutions, Timothy?

Timothy : Yes, I want to get up early, too, because Im always late for school. Ill never be late again.

Mr. Small : I can think of a better resolution for you, Tim. Go to the barbers. Your hairs much too long.

Timothy : Oh, youre always talking about my hair.

Mrs. Small : Well, Ive made two resolutions. I want to have violin lessons, and I wont eat any more cakes because Im getting too fat.

Mr. Small : Well, I like cakes! I certainly dont like the violin and I get up early every morning. Can you think of a resolution for me?

Grandma : Yes. Stop smoking that awful pipe.

Mr. Small : But I love my pipe! It helps me to think … . Oh, all right then … . Ill stop smoking it.

Grandma : Youll laugh at me when I tell you my resolution. I want to learn gymnastics. Ive got me first lesson tomorrow.

Timothy, Susan ( together ): Tomorrow? Gymnastics?!

Rocky : Woof, woof!

Scene II

Setting : Now its January 2 nd . The family are having breakfast but Grandma is not there.

Mr. Small : Wheres Grandma ?

Mrs. Small : Shes upstairs. Shes having her first gymnastics lesson. ( Suddenly, there is a terrible CRASH! and a BANG! Timothy and Susan run upstairs. )

Timothy : Grandma, Grandma, whats the matter?

Grandma : Help! Help! Ive broken my arm!

Mrs. Small : Quick, me must telephone the doctor.

Susan : Oh, dear, poor Grandma! I cant take you for a walk now, Rocky. I must stay with Grandma.

Rocky : Woof, woof!

Timothy : And I shall be late for school again.

Mrs. Small : And I cant have my violin lesson.

Mr. Small : Quick, give me my pipe! What an awful day!

Scene III

Setting : Now its January 3 rd . The family are sitting around Grandmas bed.

Mrs. Small : What a pity… . We couldnt keep our resolutions for even one day.

Grandma : Its all my fault. Im sorry. No more gymnastics for me!

THE NEW YEAR

Characters : the New Year ( a little boy ), the Snow Maiden, Children.

( The New Year and the Snow Maiden are knocking at the door. They have many presents in baskets. The New Year has a bell in his hand. )

New Year :

I am the little New Year, ho, ho!

Here I come jumping over the snow,

Shaking my bells with a merry din,

So open your doors and let me in!

Snow Maiden:

Presents we bring for each and all,

Big folks, little folks, short and tall;

Each one from us a treasure may win,

So open your doors and let me in!

New Year:

Some shall have silver and some shall have gold,

Some shall have new clothes and some shall have old;

Some shall have brass and some shall have tin,

Some shall have water and some shall

Snow Maiden:

Some shall have water and some shall have milk,

Some shall have satin and some shall have silk!

But each of us a presents may win,

So open your doors and let us in!

Children ( opening the door, together ): Oh, come in! Glad to meet you!

(The New Year and the Snow Maiden give presents to the children.)

WIND AND SNOWFLAKES

Wind:

Little snowflakes, come and play,

Ive nothing else to do today.

Snowflakes:

Yes, well come and oh, what fun,

Well twirl, and dance, and skip, and run.

Wind:

Come on, snowflakes, come with me,

There are many things to see.

Snowflakes:

Oh, now the sun is peeping through,

It feels quite warm. What shall we do?

Sun ( to Wind ):

Blow the snowflakes home again,

Before they melt and turn to rain.

Wind:

Who-oo! Who-oo! Home you go;

Hurry now, dont be slow.

Snowflakes:

Come on, sisters, back we go

To where the earth is white with snow,

Good-bye, sun, were glad we came,

We really had a lovely game.