The book was created by the mix team of an eTwinning project 'Tell me something about you' to write about the partner countries' new year traditions and upload the new year cards prepared by the pupils.

Happy New Year

The Participant Schools

In the month of December, when lights sparkle across the snow and warm stories fill the air, a new adventure begins in the wonderful land of Tell Me Something About You.
It is a magical place where students from different countries come together to share who they are, what they love, and the traditions that make their homes unique.

As winter arrives, a curious group of young travellers start a special journey.

Their mission? To discover Christmas/New Year traditions from 6 countries of Europe.

With a small bag, a bright smile, and a heart full of questions, a group of magic travellers visit partner schools across the land.
In each school, they hope to learn something new:
a festive food cooked only in December,
a colourful traditional dress worn during celebrations,

a song that families sing together,

or a symbol that brings joy, hope, and magic to the season.

Every chapter of this book will tell the next step of the journey. Every partner school will reveal a piece of their world… and help the travellers understand the true spirit of sharing, friendship, and Christmas/New Year traditions.

So, open your eyes, open your heart — 

the story begins now.
Let’s discover the 

traditions that 

make each of us

 wonderfully unique!

IC Camaiore 3 

"Rosso di San Secondo"

Italy

Teacher: MAGDA CECCONI

Students: Eleonora A., Eleonora S., Gabriel, Vittoria, Sara,

Gabriele, Jacopo, Jacopino, Julian, 

Iris, Ginevra, Daria, Adriano, Laura, Beatrice, Zeno, Diego, 

Wow Italian Students decorate their school with colourful trees which give positive vibes

Yes, eating lentils

on New Year’s Eve brings good luck and wealth.
They look like coins and come from an ancient Roman tradition.

Do you know why do Italian people eat lentils on New Year’s Eve?

Osnovna škola Brana
 Jevtić, Kusadak 

 Students: Nina S.,Ognjen M.,

Mia M.,Milica S., Žika M.,

Lena G., Strahinja S., David

J.,Filip J., Katarina N., Dunja M.,

Natalija J.

Teacher: RUZICA RODOVIC

Serbia is an Othodox country which celebrates its Christmas on the 7th of January according to the old Julian calendar. So, we are a bit late in New Year's celebrations and our holiday break starts later.

We go to the woods the day before Christmas, cut down a big oak branch and take it to our homes. Its our sacred tree and we practise a lot of nice customs connected to this tree. Also, we put hay in our homes, under the table. We prepare special food, and we have a custom to put a coin in the bread so that only one family member can find it. The person who finds it will have good luck and success all the upcoming year.

Barbaros Şehit Mehmet 

Savunmaz Secondary School, Manisa, Türkiye

 Students: Büşra BBR, Yusuf BBR, Ayşe BBR, Elif BBR, Nisa BBR, Yiğit BBR, Umut BBR, Enes BBR, Nisa BBR, Mustafa BBR, Rabia BBR, Ada BBR...

Teacher: AYLIN SOYSAL

WE ARE HAPPYYYYYY FOR NEW YEAR

WE HOPE...

WE SAY HI TO NEW YEAR BY BEING TOGETHER WITH OUR FAMILIES, PLAYING THE GAME (esp. TOMBALA), PREPARING AND EATING DELICIOUS TASTES, GIVING SOME GIFTS FOR THE PEOPLE WHOM WE LOVE...

LETS PLAY TOMBALA

Students: Umut Berat, Selen, Simay, Mehmet Ali, Sena, Asyanil, Buğra, Mina, Selim Kaan, Esila, Ömer Akif, Öykü, Duru, Ezgi, Zülal, Buğlem

Teacher: SAADET MANDACI

Some Turkish people decorate pine  trees.

Turkish people eat nuts, friuts and 

popcorn.

We also eat cake and cookies.

We visit our relatives or come together with friends to celebrate new year. 

Fire works are set off at 12.00 pm on 31st December all around the country.

SABANCI PRIMARY SCHOOL, Erzurum / Turkiye

Students: 
M. Mirza K.
Doğukan A.
Eflin 
Ferah

Teacher: FATIH AYDIN 

Why were torches lit?

Our city has the Palandöken Ski Center. A torchlight ski show is held there during the New Year's celebrations.

Is there a special Christmas dish in Türkiye?

Yes. Turkey is usually cooked. Families get together.

What is done in Türkiye during Christmas?

Children are opening their piggy banks. Bingo is being played. However, since Christmas is not a part of our culture, these celebrations are not held everywhere.

LEPL TSKALTUBO MUCIPALITY VILLIAGE  SORMONI PUBLIC SCHOOL

Students: 

Teacher: ANA KABULADZE

2ND PRIMARY SCHOOL OF XANTHI, 

GREECE

Students: Aggelos, Kritton, George, Stathis, Ioannis, Stathis, Savvas. Nuri, Mustafatzan, Thanassis, Eleftheria, Despoina, Konstantina, Nefeli, Anastasia, Philippa, Stella, Olga, Evdoxia  

Teacher: ELENI EMMANOUILIDOU

  New Year's Cake, Triangles and "Karavaki"

Hey! What's a triangle? And what's so special about New Year's cake?

"Vasilopita" is a traditional Greek cake prepared for New Year’s Day, symbolizing good luck and blessings for the year ahead. Inside the cake, a coin is hidden, and whoever finds it in their slice is believed to receive good fortune. Alongside this custom, Greek children take part in New Year carolling, known as "Kalanta".  As they go from house to house, children sing carols to welcome the new year. They commonly carry small metal triangles, which they strike rhythmically with a metal rod. 

The "karavaki", or small boat, is a traditional Greek New Year decoration symbolizing new beginnings and safe journeys. It is often adorned with lights, ribbons, and miniature flags to create a festive appearance. In coastal areas, children decorate wooden boats and display them in homes or carry them while singing carols. The illuminated "karavaki" reflects Greece’s deep connection to the sea and its cultural heritage.

Why do they decorate small ships?

3RD PRIMARY SCHOOL OF THERMI-TRIADI, GREECE

Students: Ioli, Konstantina, Maria1, Nefeli, Adam, Despina, Prodromos, Veroniki, Christina, Anastasia, Alexandros, Maria2, Sofia, Simon, Eugenia, Christodoulos, Dimitris, Michail, Athanasios

Teacher: OLGA SISKOU

NEW YEAR'S TRADITIONS IN GREECE

3rd Primary School of Thermi-Triadi

NEW YEAR'S GIFTS 

On New Year's Day people exchange gifts, since 1st January is Saint Basil's Day, the greek version of Santa Claus.

BREAKING OF THE POMEGRANATE 

On new year eve, just after midnight, householder breaks a pomegranate by throwing it on the doorstep wheere it breaks,spilling out it's seeds.The more seeds,the better.This means luck and happines for the new year.