The Kalends of January was the ancient Roman New Year's festival held in honor of Janus.
The Roman month of January was named for Janus, the god associated with doorways, transitions, and beginnings. The first day of January was the Kalends, the opening day of the month, and it became the beginning of the civil year in the Roman calendar. Romans marked the occasion with visits, gifts, good wishes, and religious observances.
The festival was not identical to the modern December 31 celebration. Roman calendars and year-start practices changed over time, and religious festivals such as Saturnalia occurred separately in December. The Kalends of January, however, supplied an important ancient model for celebrating a new civic year.
Roman New Year's customs included exchanging small gifts such as coins, dates, and figs. Public officials also took office on January 1 after reforms associated with the Roman Republic. Modern New Year's traditions developed across many later cultures rather than descending from one single ceremony.