like many people all over the world, americans enjoy celebrating the arrival of each new year. almost everyone makes an occasion of new year's eve in order to see the old year out and welcome the new one. in new york, a favorite gathering place on december 31 is new york city's times square. thousands of americans and international tourists crowd this famous spot (at the intersection of broadway and seventh avenue) and crane their necks to watch for "happy new year" to flash across the electronically controlled sign that moves around. when the moment arrives bedlam breaks forth. bells ring, whistles blow, people cheer with their happy excitement.
the cheerful scene goes one after another in public squares throughout the country, but not at the same moment. because of the four time zones in the united states the new year comes to the central states one hour later, to the mountain states two hours later, and finally to the western states three hours after the eastern states have said goodbye to another year. so by following the radio and television broadcasts everyone can enjoy the festivities in other parts of the country as well as their own.
some people prefer to see the old year out at a church service. although the holiday does not have religious origin, many churches hold "watch night" services on new year's eve. those who go to churches can solemnly renew their dedication to god for the coming year.
the custom of visiting friends, relatives and neighbors is one of the popular activities on new year's day. this activity is called open house. the custom of open house was inaugurated by george washington during his first term as president. on january 1, 1789, president washington first opened the doors of his official residence to all who wished to come. an open house is just what the name implies: the front door is left open. inside the door there is a spirit of relaxed cordiality, and guests are free to arrive and leave when they like. invitations may say simply, "drop in after the game" or "come drink a new year's toast with us ". on january 1, now, families hold "open house" so that their friends can visit them throughout the day to express good wishes for the new year.
many championship football games are scheduled for new year's day, and there is usually an elaborate parade before each football game. often, much of the day is spent watching these games on television.
注释：
1. makes an occasion of…in order to：把…这一时刻作为…。occasion是"时机、时刻"的意思，美语中的用法很灵活，这并不是个固定词组，只是动词make的一个灵活的用法。后面接状语in order to表示目的。
2. crane their necks：伸长脖子。crane这个词很有意思，它的原意是"鹤"的意思。大家都知道鹤的脖子很长。crane 在此是动词，它的表达是不是很生动呢？
3. one after another：一个接一个。another是"另一个"的意思。另一个后面还有一个。真是没完没了，那还是"一个接一个"的吧。
4. come drink a new year's toast with us：中间省略了一个连词and。 实际上应该是come and drink…。
5. schedule…for…，此处用的是被动形式。在英语中当主动形式不好表达时（比如没有主语时），就常常会用到被动形式的。