In my family, New Year’s Eve has always been a night for reflection, anticipation and celebration.  It is a big deal for us since the New Year is always filled with anticipation, resolutions and exciting goals to look forward to achieving, and just a great reason to celebrate!

Since I was a little girl, New Year’s Eve was very special to me.  It was the one evening where I would get together with my little friends and attend various local events for kids to bring in the New Year.  In Russia, where I was born and lived until I turned 9, kids and parents, dressed in their finest, would attend a community celebration where a huge decorated tree took center stage!

The kids would form a circle around the “New Year’s Tree”.  Grandfather Frost would be there with his beautiful assistant Snegurochka (the Snow Girl) and they would hand out “goody bags” filled with mandarins (which were a rarity in Russia during the winter), zephir (marshmallow type candy), and sparklers.  We would make snowflakes out of paper, play games, sing songs and dance.  Some of us would recite poetry and our parents would snap a bunch of black & white shots (yes… I’m that old!)

As I got older, there was champagne and the most exquisite foods and conversation on New Year’s eve.  Lots and lots of dinner-time reflections about what this year brought and our hopes for the New Year ahead.  And, when there was dancing, my New Year’s Eve was totally complete!

So whether you are heading out to look a the Rose Parade Floats as they’re making their way to their start-up position, spending a quiet evening with friends and family or have a slew of New Year’s Eve parties to attend, I wish all of you a safe evening and a laughter-filled New Year!

Thanks to each and every one of our readers for supporting our 365 Things To Do In Pasadena.  It has been such an exciting adventure to share Pasadena with you and to learn and explore daily activities together.

I hope that each of you leaves all the bad and sad things that happened in 2010 and that 2011 will bring you happiness, health and prosperity in everything you do!

Happy New Year everyone!!!  May all your dreams and wishes become a reality for you!

See you in the New Year!

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