Embrace the Winter Wonderland: 10 fun ways to build gross motor skills AND boost language learning

Bonjour! Guten Tag! ¡Hola! Ciao! As we ring in the New Year, let’s peek into the vibrant celebrations and quirky customs across France, Germany, Spain, and Italy.

France: “Le Réveillon” in France is a feast to remember! Mistletoe kisses at midnight and savoring delicacies like foie gras and oysters are a must. The highlight is the “galette des rois” cake, an Epiphany specialty filled with frangipane and often hiding a small figurine called the “fève.” Discovering the fève in your slice crowns you king or queen for the day!

Germany: Celebrating “Silvester” in Germany involves sharing small gifts believed to bring good luck, such as marzipan pigs or four-leaf clovers. Another tradition involves melting small lead figurines and interpreting their shapes in water to forecast fortunes for the upcoming year. 

Spain: Known as “Noche Vieja” (Old Night), New Year’s Eve in Spain is marked by a special custom. People stay indoors until midnight, participating in a tradition of eating twelve lucky grapes—one for each stroke of the clock. This act is believed to usher in good luck, abundance, and joy for the New Year.

Italy: During “Capodanno” in Italy, it’s time for a unique tradition! Italians toss old belongings out the window to bid adieu to the past, all while donning red underwear for a dash of good luck. Their New Year’s Eve dinner, featuring lentils and sausage, symbolizes a wish for prosperity and good fortune.

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