Novogodny stol is the Russian name for the New Year’s Eve festive table or midnight meal shared with family.
The phrase translates roughly as “New Year’s table.” In Russia, Novy God became the major winter family holiday during the Soviet period, when public celebration of Christmas was restricted. Families gather for an elaborate meal, exchange gifts and watch the Kremlin clock strike midnight.
Typical foods include Olivier salad, herring under a fur coat, mandarins and sparkling wine, although menus differ by household. Ded Moroz and Snegurochka, the Russian gift-bringing figures, are associated with New Year rather than the Western Santa Claus tradition.
Novogodny stol names the festive table or feast, while Novy God names the holiday itself. Confusing those terms produces an answer that is related but not exact.