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New Years: Families
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In preparation for the New Year, Japanese businesses attempt to settle all accounts and homes are cleaned and decorated. Many companies hold bonenkai (forget the year parties) and give generous bonuses to their employees. Gifts of money, sake and gourmet foods are typically given as a show of appreciation to persons who have been helpful in the past year such as a student to a teacher. For about one week prior to New Years Day, housewives begin the involved preparation of traditional New Years food which will be enjoyed by friends and family between January first through the third. New Years greeting cards in the form of postcards are sent out and the Japanese post office has a special detail which delivers them on January first.
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In Russia the New Year is greeted by fireworks and drinking champagne. The New Year is considered a family celebration, with lavish dinner tables and gifts. The president of Russia normally counts down the final seconds of the "old year", as it is called in Russia. A giant clock tower chimes in the new year, and it is customary to make a wish with each chime.
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The unit begins with an introductory lesson that focuses on New Year's traditions the students are most familiar with - those in the United States. The unit is designed to last for approximately three weeks, though it could last longer. The field trip will happen near the end of the lesson.
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Japanese children enjoy flying kites on New Years Day and to receiving otoshidama which is a gift of money given by adult friends and family members. While most businesses are closed the first three days of the New Year, schools generally recess for about 2 weeks.
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In Ecuador the whole family participates in their New Year's celebration. On December 31st each member of the family donates a piece of clothing such as a shirt, pants, shoes, or hat. The family then proceeds to make a strawman by sewing the clothes together and stuffing them with straw. This strawman represented the old year (Ano Viejo). Then a member of the family writes out a last will and testament naming all the faults of each family member. At the stroke of midnight, the will is read and the strawman is burned.
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On Wednesday, over a kitchen table in Plano, Sgt. Tycz's family heard the news they've waited 38 years for: The sergeant's remains ? three teeth ? had been located in Vietnam and positively identified. He was coming home.
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