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The New Year’s Eve is the perfect opportunity to reconnect with those who are dear to us, whether they are on the other side of the world or in the DOM-TOM. With more than three million compatriots living outside France, it’s crucial to know when to make your calls to not miss out on the New Year’s wishes. In this article, we reveal the best times to reach your loved ones while considering the different time zones. So get ready to take a trip around the world in just a few rings and share a dose of happiness to welcome 2025 together!
As New Year approaches, it’s crucial to plan your calls to wish your loved ones a happy new year, whether in mainland France or overseas territories. The differences in time zones can sometimes complicate this delicate operation. This article guides you through the ideal times to call your friends and family scattered across the globe, ensuring that your New Year wishes reach them at the perfect moment.
DOM-TOM: adjust your schedules for your loved ones
The French overseas territories, spread across the Atlantic, the Pacific, and the Indian Ocean, often present significant time differences compared to mainland France. For example, regarding Martinique and Guadeloupe, the time difference is -5 hours. Thus, when the clock strikes midnight in Paris, it’s still 7 PM in these beautiful islands. To reach your loved ones before they start their celebrations, a call early in the evening is ideal.
Guyane shares the same time zone as the Antilles, which simplifies matters. If you wish to make a call on the morning of January 1st, know that your Guyanese loved ones will appreciate your call while they are in the full swing of their New Year’s Eve celebrations. However, be cautious with those in Réunion and Mayotte, who are ahead of mainland France by 3 and 4 hours respectively. A call at 9 PM Paris time will actually be a cheerful “Happy New Year” for them, while for the others, it will already be 10 PM!
Time zones in Europe: in sync for the New Year
Staying in Europe, The United Kingdom and Portugal are a good reference point. These countries are one hour behind France. Therefore, if you want to make a call at 12:30 AM, your friends across the Channel have just celebrated their new year. Ireland also follows the same rhythm.
As for the Maghreb, no worries! Countries like Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia are synchronized with France for the transition to the new year. The strong Francophone community in these countries also facilitates coordination for your calls, making the task that much easier.
Asia and Oceania: careful planning is essential
Things become a bit more complex when turning to Asia. In China and Japan, the time difference is +7 to +8 hours. Therefore, to make a call to Tokyo, think of calling around 4 PM French time so that your wishes arrive on time! Beijing will follow closely by one hour. Don’t forget that the morning of December 31st seems perfect for these calls.
As for Australia, the situation varies again. For example, in the city of Sydney, New Year is celebrated at 2 PM metropolitan time, while in Perth, it will be 5 PM. Therefore, your calls on December 31st can easily be planned around these times to remain perfectly timed!
The Americas: patience and timing
Crossing the Atlantic, you’ll find North America, which features several time zones. For example, in Canada and the United States at the time of Montreal and New York, you’ll have to manage a 6-hour difference. By calling on January 1st at 6 AM, you’ll reach your loved ones at midnight, which is perfect timing! Note that the west coast, with a larger lead, requires waiting even longer.
On the other hand, in Latin America, the time differences are varied. Brazil and Mexico are respectively at -4 hours and generally follow the same schedules as their northern neighbors, allowing for some flexibility in your calls.
Practices for successful wishes
To optimize your connections and avoid the global rush around New Year’s, consider messaging apps like WhatsApp and Signal, which offer calls over the internet at no additional cost. If you opt for your regular phone line, be sure to check the rates of your plan for international calls.
Finally, keep in mind that the load on networks can be significant around midnight. Opting for a call slightly before or after, say 10 to 15 minutes earlier or later than the big moment, could well be the key to success! So, are you ready to make your calls in a timely manner for a memorable New Year?
