<P> In Belgium, New Year's Eve (Sint Sylvester Vooravond ("Saint Sylvester's Eve") or Oudjaar ("old year")) is celebrated with family parties, called réveillons in the French speaking areas . On television, a stand - up comedian reviews the past year after which a musical or variety show signals midnight, when everyone kisses, exchanges good luck greetings, and toasts the New Year and absent relatives and friends with champagne . Many people light fireworks or go into the street to watch them . Most cities have their own fireworks display: the most famous is at Mont des Arts in Brussels . Cities, cafés and restaurants are crowded . Free bus services and special New Year's Eve taxis (the Responsible Young Drivers) bring everyone home afterwards . </P> <P> On 1 January (Nieuwjaarsdag in Dutch) children read their "New Year's letter" and give holiday greeting cards of decorated paper featuring golden cherubs and angels, colored roses and ribbon - tied garlands to parents and godparents, on decorated paper . </P> <P> Belgian farmers also wish their animals a happy New Year . </P> <P> New Year is widely celebrated in Bosnia and Herzegovina . Streets are decorated for New Year's Eve and there is a fireworks show and concerts in all the larger cities . Restaurants, clubs, cafes and hotels are usually full of guests and they organize New Year's Eve parties . </P>

Who started the tradition of celebrating the new year