Musical shaker

People around the world ring in the new year in many ways. Australians, who are some of the first to celebrate because the country is close to the international date line, will crowd the harbor in the capital city of Sydney to watch one of the world's largest fireworks displays.

In America, traditionalists watch a 1,070-pound, 6-foot-diameter Waterford crystal ball slowly descend in New York City's Times Square.

Junkanoo street parades kick off the new year in Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, where participants clang cowbells and dress up in brightly colored, homemade costumes.

In Scotland, New Year's Eve celebrations are called Hogmanay (hog-muh-NAY), the ancient celebration of the winter solstice, where some curious traditions continue to this day. Participants walk through the streets of harbor town Stonehaven swinging large, flaming balls around their heads before pitching them into the water.

And no New Year's celebration would be complete without singing "Auld Lang Syne," an old Scottish folk song. Robert Burns (1759-1796), national poet of Scotland, is given credit for penning the words we still sing today at the last chime of the clock on New Year's Eve.

The Gregorian calendar firmly set the day for New Year's exactly one week after Christmas Day. In modern times, that day became Jan. 1. But the rite of celebrating a new year is one of the oldest in history, dating back 4,000 years to ancient Babylon, where it was thought to be the beginning of a new growing season in late March.

In some cultures and religions, New Year's Day is considered to be a holy day, while other religions throughout history have condemned it because of its pagan origin. Our modern traditions of celebrating began only about 400 years ago.

One thing all New Year's Eve and New Year's Day parties have in common is lots of noise. If the voices of jubilant participants aren't loud enough for you, make a homemade noisemaker using some leftover Christmas items to help you welcome in 2007. I found supplies for this musical shaker at www.makingfriends.com/music/shakers— rwb.htm on the Web.

Supplies you will need:

• Large empty ribbon spool

• Foam stars

• Acrylic paint and brushes

• Curling ribbon

• Scissors

• Rice, beans or beads

• Glue.

Paint the spool and let dry.

Glue a foam star over the opening on one end.

Turn the spool over and place a few dried beans, rice or beads into the center hole.

Glue a foam star over the hole to keep the items inside.

Cut long pieces of curling ribbon and tie to the core of the spool. Curl with scissors.