Before I forget...

In America, Christmas is a big deal, but New Year, not so. In Europe, it's the other way around. It's perhaps because the old continent is more secular and fixated for better days to come.

In France, wishing someone a Happy New Year is sacred ritual and is something you'd never miss for anything or would be seen as a rude individual. The wishes last the entire month of January, and even the country's president receives wishes from everyone through that entire period.

In America, the New Year only get noticed at midnight the year before and from that point, it's a fast nosedive. Oh, by the way, Happy New Year to you!