在西方国家，尽管圣诞才是最重要的节日，但在中国人心中，新年却有着不可替代的位置，因为这是人们辞旧迎新的时刻。

　　In western countries Christmas day is the most significant festival while New Year's Day has an irreplaceable position in the hear of Chinese people. It is a day when people see the old days out and the new year in.

　　元旦也许是有史以来最古老、最普遍的节日。不同的地方人们庆祝的方式也不一样。人们都期盼新的一年里有新的生活，互相祝福对方好运，并且许诺来年要做的更好。

　　New Year's Day may be the oldest and most universal festival along history. People from different part of the world celebrate this day in various ways. With a new year coming , most people expect a new life, wish each other good luck and promise themselves to do better in the upcoming year.

　　据说最早的庆祝是在4000多年前的古巴比伦。大约在公元前2000年，巴比伦的新年开始于春分后的第一轮新月。巴比伦的新年庆祝持续11天。每一天都有特殊的庆祝模式，相对来说，现在的新年要稍逊色一点。现在，大多数国家把公历1月1日作为元旦，中华人民共和国建立后，中国人民也开始在这一天庆祝元旦。元旦节还被列为法定假日，每年的这个时候，我国人民还享有3天法定假期。

　　It was first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. In the years around 2000 BC, the Babylonian New Year began with the first New Moon after the Vernal Equinox. The Babylonian New Year celebration lasted for eleven days. Each day had its own particular mode of celebration. We can say that modern New Year's Day festivities pale in comparison. Since the establishment of the People's Republic of China Chinese began to celebrate the day, during which all Chinese people can enjoy a three-day public holiday.

　　现在比较普遍的庆祝就是由团体组织的活动，如元旦联欢会或年会等，以前就有组织敲锣打鼓、集体跳民族舞的，现在在电视记录片上还能看到。

　　近年更是有旅游、聚会等节目，反正元旦这天并没有太多的传统，在这一天假期了就任人发挥了。甚至，元旦这天对年轻一代来说只意味着三天的假期，而元旦前夜收看央视和省级卫视主办的跨年晚会逐渐成为这两年的娱乐趋势。

　　Nowadays, the most common celebration are group activities organized by the community or company, such as the New Year's Get-together and annual party. In the past, people would celebrate in more traditional ways including drums and gongs as well as ethnic dancing, which can be seen in the documentary on TV. In recent years, not many traditions are taken into consideration. Instead, young people just take it as a holiday, during which they either stay at home for a break from the heavy work or have a relaxing trip. Watching the New Year Gala held by CCTV or provincial satellite TV station has become a hot entertainment trend.

　　保留着中国传统的庆祝方式就是在以民间了，尤其是在农村。每到元旦，家家户户都会燃放炮竹，杀鸡宰鹅的，拜祭过各方神灵祖先后就是一家人团聚一餐。

　　In some villages, people still preserve the traditional and civil ways to celebrate the New Year's Day by setting off firecrackers, killing poultry and getting together for a big meal after worshiping deities and their ancestors.