New Year Conversation Questions

Warm-up Question:
What's the biggest celebration in your culture? When do people party the most?

Discussion Questions:

1. Was the last year a good year for you? What were some of its highlights?
2. What wasn't good about this year for you?
3. What good or bad events happened in the world during the past year?
4. Did you achieve any goals in the past year? Did you keep resolutions that you made at the beginning of the year?
5. When does the new year start for you? From January 1st, or from a different day?
6. How do people in your culture celebrate the New Year? Is it usually a family celebration or more of a party with friends?
7. What is usually on television on New Year's Eve? On New Year's Day? Do you enjoy watching TV around this time of year?
8. In your culture, do people give cards or gifts at the New Year? If so, to whom do you send cards or give gifts?
9. Do you associate any special foods with the end or the beginning of the year? What are they?

10. What are your plans for New Year's Eve? Who will you spend the time with?
11. At the end of the year, are there public holidays in your country? How much time do people usually get off from work?
12. What are your plans for the year ahead?
13. Will you make any New Year's resolutions? What do you intend on doing differently next year?
14. How do you make your New Year's resolutions? Do you write them down? Do you tell other people about your intentions?
15. What is the biggest challenge facing humanity? Do you think the next year will bring us closer to solving this problem?
16. Do you have a good feeling about the future? Are you optimistic or pessimistic?
17. Which year has been the best of your life so far? What made it so good?
18. Can you make any predictions about the upcoming year? What significant events will happen? What products or companies will be successful? What trends or fashions will be popular?