New Year's Day is a popular and significant celebration in Armenia. Known as Nor Tari, which translates to 'new year,' it is traditionally held from December 31 to January 13. The holiday is so ingrained into Armenian culture that it is actually more festive and given more significance than Christmas. It signifies the dawn of a new year filled with fresh opportunities, hope, and prosperity.
Armenians spend the days leading up to New Year's day preparing delicious food and traditional delicacies. An interesting practice during the New Year's feast is the setting of the table. The Armenian table is supposed to be filled with a variety of dishes so much so that it should bend under the weight of the food. The belief behind this practice is that if the first day of the New Year is abundant, the rest of the year will also be plentiful.
Gift-giving is another popular New Year's Day tradition in Armenia. Armenian children look forward to a visit from Kaghand Pap, the Armenian version of Santa Claus, who comes on New Year's Day instead of Christmas. To welcome the New Year, fireworks are also popularly lit all over the country. Regardless of the specific traditions or practices, the New Year’s holiday, in general, is a big family gathering time in Armenia, celebrating hope, renewal, love, and joy.