Belgium's New Year's Eve

In Belgium, New Year's Eve is called Sint Sylvester Vooranvond or Saint Sylvester Eve. Family parties called réveillon are thrown. At midnight everyone kisses, exchanges good luck greetings, and toast to absent relatives and friends. Cities, cafés and restaurants are crowded.
January 1 is called Nieuwjaarsdag and children give holiday greeting cards featuring golden cherubs and angels, colored roses and ribbon-tied garlands to parents and godparents, on decorated paper which they saved money to buy.

Belgian farmers also wish their animals a happy New Year for blessings.