Pear and Feta Bites

New Year's Eve is on Dec. 31. This year, New Year's Eve falls on a Sunday.

New Year's Eve is the last day of the year on the Gregorian calendar.

New Year's Eve is typically celebrated with a party that culminates in a countdown. Many people drink champagne, dance, enjoy music, and light fireworks. Various "good luck foods" like black-eyed peas and grapes are also served to ring in the new year. In the U.S., the old Scottish song "Auld Lang Syne" is sung as partygoers exchange hugs and kisses at midnight.

Anyone can celebrate New Year's Eve if they follow the Gregorian calendar.

Dec. 31 is the last day of the Gregorian calendar. It precedes Jan. 1, the first day of a new year (New Year's Day).

There are several reasons Christmas is celebrated on Dec. 25. The date is nine months after March 25, a day recognized by Christians as Annunciation. It was the day Mary was told she would was having a baby. The nine months that follow are an approximation of Jesus’ birth. Dec. 25 also coincides with pagan Winter Solstice celebrations like Saturnalia' and Dies Natalis Solis Invicti. Since they were historically celebrated around that time of year there was precedent for holiday festivities during this time of year.

Christmas is a shortened from the words “Christ’s mass.” It’s derived from the Middle English word "Cristemasse" which has Greek, Hebrew and Latin origins. Christmas is an annual holiday that honors the birth of Jesus Christ. It is celebrated by Christians around the world and is regarded as an important religious and cultural holiday.

Christmas is traditionally celebrated in many ways and celebrations vary across cultures. In the days leading up to Christmas, people usually put up special decorations including colorful lights and evergreen trees. Gifts are often placed under the tree and exchanged on Christmas day among loved ones. Large meals are also typically served as part of the celebration as well.