Christmas in Marshall Islands: New Year Celebrations

Feasting and gift giving also take place on New Year’s Eve, but to a much lesser degree. Children stay up late on New Year’s Eve. At midnight they go door to door, singing songs and receiving in ex-change treats and trinkets. Islanders make every attempt to attend early morning church services on New Year’s Day, as good behavior on the first of the year is thought to honor the new year and to steer it in a good direction. Hotly contested softball matches take place later on New Year’s Day.