MOVIES

FRESH START	MAGIC	LIGHTHEARTED	DEEP
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty — visually gorgeous and all about stepping into a braver life.	Midnight in Paris — nostalgia, creativity, and a little time‑travel sparkle.	Crazy Rich Asians — glamorous, funny, and full of heart.	The Tree of Life — poetic and contemplative.
La La Land — dreamy, musical, and reflective about ambition and love.	Amélie — quirky, tender, and visually enchanting.	Legally Blonde — iconic, empowering, and hilarious.	Soul — Pixar’s meditation on purpose and presence.
The Pursuit of Happyness — resilience, hope, and heart.	Eat Pray Love — a journey of rediscovery and healing.	The Proposal — classic rom‑com comfort.	Arrival — quiet, profound, and beautifully human.
Julie & Julia — cozy, charming, and full of “new beginnings” energy.

New Year’s Traditions in the United States

A blend of history, superstition, celebration, and symbolism

Times Square Ball Drop (New York City) — The most famous U.S. New Year’s tradition. A giant crystal ball has been lowered at midnight since 1907, now watched by millions in person and on TV.
Fireworks — A widespread tradition across the country, originally inspired by ancient Chinese customs meant to scare away evil spirits.
Rose Parade (Pasadena, CA) — A floral parade with elaborate floats and marching bands held every New Year’s Day.

Singing “Auld Lang Syne” — A Scottish song by Robert Burns, meaning “for old times’ sake,” sung at midnight to honor friendship and the passage of time.
Midnight Kiss — A European-rooted superstition meant to ensure connection and ward off loneliness in the coming year.
Parties & Countdown Gatherings — Americans often celebrate with friends, music, and festive drinks leading up to midnight.

New Year’s Resolutions — A long-standing practice of setting goals for self‑improvement, with roots tracing back to ancient Babylonian customs.
Avoiding Hard Work on New Year’s Day — A superstition suggesting that working too hard on January 1 sets the tone for the whole year.
Polar Bear Plunge — In many regions, people jump into icy water on January 1 for good luck and a “fresh start”.

Especially strong in the American South (including Alabama!):

Black‑Eyed Peas — Symbolize coins and prosperity; eaten in dishes like Hoppin’ John. This tradition dates back to the Civil War era and even earlier Jewish customs from 500 A.D..
Collard Greens — Represent paper money and financial luck in the coming year.
Cornbread — Often said to symbolize gold and abundance.
Cabbage — Another green vegetable eaten for wealth and good fortune.

College Football Bowl Games — A major part of New Year’s Day in the U.S., including events like the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, which blends sports with parades and music.

The modern celebration is tied to the Gregorian calendar, adopted in 1582, which established January 1 as the start of the year.
American traditions blend influences from Europe, Africa, Asia, and Indigenous cultures, creating a uniquely diverse celebration.