Special childhood memories of New Year celebrations. Of bonfires, picnics, and more

New Year is one event that is celebrated across the world in unique and special ways. While the time-tested tradition of dancing, eating delicacies, and watching fireworks light up the night sky is common, there are some unique traditions too—the Danes smash plates on the doorstep, the Brazilians eat lentils, while the Spanish reach for a plate of grapes. Whatever the New Year tradition may be, something is created that will last a lifetime—memories. Loads of them.

My best memory of celebrating New Year is sitting with my family over a table of countless sweets and savories, and the elders regaling us, the kids, with their own childhood memories of welcoming the new year. When the clock struck twelve, we would all rush out and shout, “Happy New Year” and wish neighbors and friends. Later, we would exchange little gifts and rush to pray for a wonderful and prosperous year ahead.

What a wonderful memory! And with that heartwarming memory of mine, here is a collection of childhood memories of friends, colleagues, and family.

CHILDHOOD MEMORIES OF NEW YEAR

Picnic by the riverside with family

“The fondest memory that I have of celebrating New Year is going on a picnic with the entire family, replete with food, dance and merrymaking. Our favorite place was on the banks of the nearby river that, needless to say, used to be filled with other picnic goers. We would take out old mats, spread them out, and then play with the waters of the river, while the elders would start taking out the utensils from the car along with the food. An old music player, which was battery-operated, used to blast songs to add to the happy mood. Today, years later, as I celebrate the occasion by hanging out with friends or going out for lunch or dinner, I cannot help but go back in time to those moments that are etched in my memory forever.”

– Bharat Rai, an account executive in an advertising agency

An angel who came down from heaven in a pretty frock

“Whenever I think of New Year celebrations, memories filled with magical moments, great fun and enjoyment come to my mind. Every New Year, my parents would purchase a nice frock for me and I would enact the role of an angel who had descended from heaven. At the stroke of midnight, we would switch on the television and eagerly wait for the actor Kamal Haasan to sing the Happy New Year song, after which my parents would call and wish everyone in the family.

I remember insisting on buying chocolates for my friends and wearing my frock to school the following day. We used to have a fancy dress competition in school, and my mother used to bake a cake, and I would tell everyone that I had baked it! My dad used to keep a wish jar for the new year, and my sister and I would drop our wishes in it—Dad would make sure our wishes were fulfilled. We also used to visit the temple where my mother would ask me to pray that I secure the first rank in studies.”

– Banumathy, manager (client services)

Of bonfires, cakes, coffee, and Doordarshan

“Growing up in Guwahati, Assam, the days leading up to the new year were cold. So bonfires, playing badminton, and picnics form a special part of my childhood memories of New Year celebrations. During my childhood, the only entertainment channel we had when it came to television was Doordarshan, which would air many entertaining programs on New Year’s Eve. We would gather around the television, as top film stars of that time would perform on stage.

Often, we would bake a cake at home using the family heirloom electric oven and keep coffee in the flask ready. On New Year’s Day, neighbors would drop in to wish us. In fact, this was one of those rare days when our parents had no problem with us staying up late at night. How I wish our children could also experience such innocent fun of growing up with a bunch of same-age children as we did!”

– Pubali Sarma, homemaker

Getting a new journal from Dad and a gift from Mom

“New Year’s Eve was very exciting for me as a child. Like everyone else, I loved to participate in the countdown at midnight to welcome the new year, gulp down cold fizzy drinks, and stay up till 1 a.m. or 2 a.m. It was the only night I was allowed to stay up late, so I made the most of it. For me, it was also a way to extend the festivities after Christmas. I would insist we keep the Christmas tree and decorations till after New Year (I still do).

New Year also meant getting a new journal from Dad and a gift from Mom, so what was not to like? I would imagine someone finding my journal years later, buried in the rubble (I was influenced too much by movies).

So my journal entry on New Year’s Day was rather extravagant and, I must say, not very truthful. I usually stopped writing after a week when I ran out of things to say, but the 8-year-old me loved every minute I spent on it. Even now, every time I see a journal, I am tempted to start penning my life journey, but I know I can never outdo the ‘tales’ I wrote back then.”

– Kerina De Floras Felix, senior copy editor

Zipping around town on a Yamaha RX-100

“Believe it or not, my special childhood memory of New Year celebrations is riding my bike (a Yamaha RX-100 that was the craze then) around the bylanes of the town where I lived and still live. It was thrilling to see the sleepy ol’ town come to life with shouts of “Happy New Year” all around, people staying up late (and this was in the years before smartphones and the internet!), and lights all around. After I moved to a city for further studies, visits to home became less frequent, and New Year celebrations were mostly with office colleagues or friends. But, trust me, nothing can beat this childhood memory of celebrating New Year.”

– James Phurba Sherpa, a government employee

Pampered to the hilt by loving parents

“As hilarious as it may sound now, I have a long list of special childhood memories associated with New Year celebrations. However, the one memory that instantly comes to mind and brings a smile is of wearing new clothes—an entire set during New Year festivities!

Yes, my parents loved me a lot, and being an only child, I was pampered a lot. Every New Year’s Eve, they would hand over a parcel of new clothes to me. On that day and for a few days in the new year, I had to wear the clothes and roam around, much to the amusement of my friends and family! I used to feel grand and would walk around with swag (a term I was to discover years later) and a huge grin on my face that could put Joker from the Batman series to shame. Today, by God’s grace, I can buy clothes almost every other week, but nothing can beat that memory of wearing new clothes to ring in the new year.”

– Andre Lefevre, English teacher