New Years

According to the eastern rite, New Year's day commemorates the feast of our father among the saints, Basil the Great. The western rite celebrates this feast on January 2nd. So those who celebrate saints on both calendars can celebrate this twice. On the first in the west, we commemorate the solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, a holy day of obligation. (Though it aparently isn't binding as one if on a Monday, at least not here in the USA.) I don't understand why we do things like this. Why can't we just go to Mass on Monday. Many have the day off anyway. We American's need to shape up and follow Rome.

Mary, Mother of God
St. Basil's mother was St. Emily, his sister St. Macrina, and his brother St. Gregory.