Do you remember those childhood feelings when on the morning of January 1, barely opening your eyes, you throw off the blanket and run barefoot to the Christmas tree: what is there? Did Santa Claus come? Did Leave a gift? And how much joy there was when it turned out that he had come and left.
In adulthood, giving something often takes on a utilitarian character. People usually agree on who will give what to whom. And sometimes they go shopping together and choose presents themselves, and the donor just puts the card to the terminal. And even those who love surprises often can't stand it and give gifts in advance. And it seems like there is a new thing, but there is no magic.
It is no coincidence that they say that waiting for a holiday is often better than itself. Dopamine, a hormone that is produced when we anticipate pleasure, is partly to blame for this. And this in itself is quite pleasant and motivating. I want to strive for results even more. And when it's reached, that's all there is to it.
Therefore, it makes sense to be patient, put a surprise under the tree and open it on January 1, so as not to deprive yourself of the whole range of joyful emotions.
One day I asked my subscribers which dish in their family is considered New Year's Eve. And people basically replied that no matter what, they can cook the same salads, hot dishes, desserts all year round. The products are available, so why deny yourself if you wanted an apple duck in July.
Although it wasn't like that when I was a kid. Already by the appearance of a jar of peas in the refrigerator, it was possible to understand: the New Year is coming soon. Each family had its own festive menu, but most often it was special. And it made New Year's Eve special too, because if not all dreams, then at least gastronomic ones came true.
It is good to have in the New Year's menu dishes that you cook only on this day. Because then there is a strong association between food and a holiday. So you can feel the joyful anticipation even at the stage of purchasing products.
New Year's Eve itself is just a day. We are the ones who make it special by using small bricks. And the special menu is one of them.
Previously, the Christmas tree was brought home and decorated on the eve of the holiday. The calculation is simple: a natural tree can behave in any way in the heat - to drop needles, for example. But it will certainly stand for a few days. Therefore, the decoration of the Christmas tree became part of the pre-holiday chores. And the joyful sensations did not have time to disappear, and the twinkling of the garland still delighted, not irritated.
Perhaps this is not such a bad plan — at least to bring the festive decor to your home closer to the date in order to enjoy it in full.
In many families, on January 1, they guessed at food (and some still do so). For example, pre-made dumplings are cooked. That's just one of them has pepper or salt in it, and the other has a coin. The same thing is sometimes done with pies or pies, as well as other dishes, the main thing here is the idea. Whoever gets a tasteless copy will not be lucky next year, whoever gets money will have a successful year.
And the idea itself is not bad, because there is such a thing as a self-fulfilling prophecy. If a person believes in something very much, he begins to behave in such a way that everything leads him to success. And if someone suddenly believes in themselves thanks to dumplings, then so be it.
However, it is better not to use food with a bad prediction, because self-fulfilling prophecies also work in a negative way. Let there be no losers at your table. And the coin should be replaced with something more edible, just different in taste. Because it's hard to call an unplanned trip to the dentist about a broken tooth luck.
And since we're talking about self-fulfilling prophecies, it's time to remember the wish you make at midnight. Whatever wild methods have been used before, although the most popular is to drink champagne with burnt paper.
Now we talk a lot about the dark side of magical thinking. And it seems like it becomes shameful sometimes to let go of yourself and dream. To make a wish and desperately believe in it. Although this is quite a legitimate step in any goal setting. If you don't want something badly, then there will be less chance of achieving it.
So it's quite possible to believe in a miracle for a second and formulate a message not even to the universe, she doesn't care. First of all, it is important to voice your dream to yourself, and before that, choose it from dozens of others. At the same time, set priorities, it turns out. But it is better to choose a simpler and safer way of guessing, for example, just close your eyes and say a wish to yourself.
One of the harsh injustices of life is that children are given boxes and bags filled with chocolates, but adults are not. After all, what a blessing it was to receive the coveted bag. Then life usually went according to one of the scenarios: you quickly eat the most delicious candies, and then you finish chewing the rest. Or vice versa: you start with some "Crustaceans", and leave the best ones for later. And the holiday stretches just as long as there are enough sweets.
An adult will no longer be given sweets at his mother's job. But you can, like the hero of Alexander Green, do miracles with your own hands. Well, that is, not to hang out scarlet sails, but to collect sweet gifts for your loved ones — and even for yourself, because someone is even closer.
As a child, everyone is happy to jump around the Christmas tree in costumes of snowflakes and bunnies. And then they behave as if there is another spare life somewhere, in which every day there will be an excuse to dress up. But you have to be content with what you have, and New Year is one of the few holidays when you can try on anyone's costume: it's fun.
Moreover, it is not necessary to glue the dinosaur's head from papier-mache (although it is possible). There are many formats of costume parties — for example, dressing up as movie characters or memes. To do this, it is often enough just to take clothes out of the closet. And the mood will be much more festive.
Preparing for the New Year consists of different things — not always pleasant. But making toys is akin to meditation. Doing something with your own hands, showing creativity, enjoying the result is also a great way to cope with New Year's stress.
It is not necessary to glue a garland made of colored paper, awkwardly cutting it into strips, as in childhood. Now you are a Jedi of scissors and glue, you can make toys cooler than store-bought ones. And every time a glance falls on them, it will become a little warmer inside. Because it's your doing.
Many people treat crystal with disdain, because now there are a lot of beautiful and modern dishes. But if there is a time machine somewhere, it is in the light reflected from the edges of grandma's crystal salad bowl. It instantly takes you back to childhood, when the whole family is making noise around the table, the room smells of a Christmas tree and tangerines, and the star of the party sparkles in the middle of the dishes.
