In France, New Year's Eve (31 December) is called la Saint-Sylvestre* and is usually celebrated with a feast, called le Réveillon de Saint-Sylvestre. The feast tends to include special items like champagne and foie gras, and the accompanying party can range from an intimate dinner with friends to une soirée dansante (ball).

This is not the first New Year. Nor is it the last! Then why do we celebrate New Years as if the world is about to end? Do New Years justify a celebration? For a cynic, a New Year is just another day. But for an optimist, New Years herald the birth of hope. So fill your heart with joy, as these New Years quotes teach you to relish each day of your life.

Henry Ward Beecher
Every man should be born again on the first day of January. Start with a fresh page. Take up one hole more in the buckle if necessary, or let down one, according to circumstances; but on the first of January let every man gird himself once more, with his face to the front, and take no interest in the things that were and are past.

The old give way to the young. New thoughts sprout from fertile ground. While the New Year beckons us with many promises, don't forget to give the old year its due. Learn from past mistakes and carry the lessons of time with you. Here are some beautiful New Year quotes that teach you to celebrate each moment of life; yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Mark Twain
Yesterday, everybody smoked his last cigar, took his last drink and swore his last oath. Today, we are a pious and exemplary community. Thirty days from now, we shall have cast our reformation to the winds and gone to cutting our ancient shortcomings considerably shorter than ever.

CHRISTMAS PUDDING :

Ingredients :
4 ounces self-rising flour
6 ounces bread crumbs
4 ounces margarine
8 ounces brown sugar
4 ounces currants
8 ounces sultanas
8 ounces raisins
1 ounce mixed orange or lemon
1 grated apple
1 ounce chopped almonds
1 orange, juice and rind of
1 teaspoon mixed spice
3 eggs, beaten
1/4 pint beer
1 teaspoon salt
Preparation :
Mix together all dry ingredients. Stir in all liquids. Grease 1 or 2 pudding basins. Pour in mixture and cover with Reynolds Wrap making a fold on the top to allow for rising. Steam for 4 hours. Serve with cream or custard. Happy eating.
serves 8

Christmas Message
By the President of the United States of America
December 21, 2007

"But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High...his kingdom will never end.'"

What happened when the snowgirl fell out with the snowboy ?
She gave him the cold shoulder !
What do snowmen wear on their heads ?
Ice caps !
What do snowmen eat for lunch ?
Icebergers !
Where do snowmen go to dance ?
Snowballs !
How do snowmen travel around ?
By iceicle !
What sort of ball doesn't bounce ?
A snowball !
How do you know when there is a snowman in your bed ?
You wake up wet !
What do you get if cross a snowman and a shark ?
Frost bite !
How do you call an Eskimo cow ?
An Eskimoo !

Knock Knock
Who's there ?
Mary
Mary who ?
Mary Christmas !
What did one Angel say to the other ?
Halo there !
How to cats greet each other at Christmas ?
"A furry merry Christmas & Happy mew year" !
What do elephants sing at Christmas ?
No-elephants, no elephants !
What does Dracula write on his Christmas cards ?
Best vicious of the season
What do angry mice send to each other at Christmas ?
Cross mouse cards !
How do sheep greet each other at Christmas ?
A merry Christmas to ewe
What does Father Christmas write on his Christmas cards ?
ABCDEFGHIJKMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ (No-L !!) !