Do you have any New Year's Day traditions?

Where I'm from, they've always believed that on New Year's Day, you should eat black eyed peas to bring lots of good luck in the new year, greens (collard, turnip...) to bring lots of money, and some say pork for good health. I'm really curious to know what may be the traditions in other areas. So, what are your New Year's Day traditions?

I am not sure if they are known traditions, but at midnight, the head of the house has to leave through the back door and come in through the front door - taking out the old and bringing in the new. With them, they bring a piece of bread and a coin - for wealth and I presume plentiful food.

Also, when we come back to our house (we go to relatives') we have to enter after my Dad and he greets us and lets us in - not sure what this one is about!!??

It is interesting to hear other traditions, good thread idea, Stephanie!

As far as i know we don't have any for new years day but i'm in the process of doing one for new years eve!

My scottish sister in law always said to start the new year off with a clean house, making sure it was clean on new years eve and to make sure any waste bins inside the house were emptied.

She always used to wash her face about 15 minutes to midnight but that would mean i took my face off after id only put it on!

The usual new years eve tradition here is to take a bottle of alcohol to someones front door and they are called your "first foot" who are supposed to bring good luck.

Oh of course i forgot about the food bit Sarah!

Originally Posted by Sar

I am not sure if they are known traditions, but at midnight, the head of the house has to leave through the back door and come in through the front door - taking out the old and bringing in the new. With them, they bring a piece of bread and a coin - for wealth and I presume plentiful food.
Also, when we come back to our house (we go to relatives') we have to enter after my Dad and he greets us and lets us in - not sure what this one is about!!??It is interesting to hear other traditions, good thread idea, Stephanie!

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Wow, Sarah, this is so interesting! I had never heard that! It really makes sense why it would be a tradition, though! Thank you for telling us about this!

Interesting... my mother is a bit superstitious (spelling?) and used to eat 12, I believe, peeled grapes at midnight. She'd also make us carry around an assortment of beans. I have no idea why.

She called me yesterday, telling me to wear a red shirt if I want love, a green shirt for money and a blue one for... I forget. Lol.

I believe in paying my bills before the New Year (don't want to start the year off in debt), taking out the trash before the New Year, kissing your loved one at midnight and little other things. Basically having last year's stuff out of the way ready for a clean start at midnight.

That being said, one year I paid careful attention to a lot of superstitions. That year wasn't that great.. my boyfriend at the time was a real punk for the entire year, I struggled with money and school... eh well.

Originally Posted by rosiemac

As far as i know we don't have any for new years day but i'm in the process of doing one for new years eve!

My scottish sister in law always said to start the new year off with a clean house, making sure it was clean on new years eve and to make sure any waste bins inside the house were emptied.
She always used to wash her face about 15 minutes to midnight but that would mean i took my face off after I'd only put it on!

The usual new years eve tradition here is to take a bottle of alcohol to someones front door and they are called your "first foot" who are supposed to bring good luck.
Oh of course i forgot about the food bit Sarah!

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Well, guess I better get to cleaning! Come on over, Susan, and be my first foot!

I've got my bottle and bread all ready Stephanie!

Originally Posted by pinkdaisy226

Interesting... my mother is a bit superstitious (spelling?) and used to eat 12, I believe, peeled grapes at midnight. She'd also make us carry around an assortment of beans. I have no idea why.
She called me yesterday, telling me to wear a red shirt if I want love, a green shirt for money and a blue one for... I forget. Lol.
I believe in paying my bills before the New Year (don't want to start the year off in debt), taking out the trash before the New Year, kissing your loved one at midnight and little other things. Basically having last year's stuff out of the way ready for a clean start at midnight.

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Where's my red and green shirt! The assortment of beans is really interesting! Thanks Ari! I've heard of the 12 grapes at midnight and in fact did that one year, then again, I just really love grapes!

Originally Posted by rosiemac

I've got my bottle and bread all ready Stephanie!

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We're waiting for you!

I'm thinking what have i got red and green, i've got no grapes or blackeyed peas so would peas be a substitute for the grapes and if i listened to Matts Blackeyed peas cd?!

Originally Posted by rosiemac

My scottish sister in law always said to start the new year off with a clean house, making sure it was clean on new years eve and to make sure any waste bins inside the house were emptied.

She always used to wash her face about 15 minutes to midnight but that would mean i took my face off after id only put it on!

The usual new years eve tradition here is to take a bottle of alcohol to someones front door and they are called your "first foot" who are supposed to bring good luck.

Oh of course i forgot about the food bit Sarah!

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I forgot about the first foot thing!!

My Scotish friend has to go to the Hogmanay and recite a kind of poem/song to address the haggis before they eat it! The only bit I remember is 'Sonsey Face' which means Saucy Person....??!! New Year in Scotland is fun though!! With the Edinburgh Fringe!

Susan, have you been to one with your Sister in Law?

Do you know what the grapes mean? I forgot... but I thought it was funny watching my mother run around the party, kissing everyone but shoving grapes in her mouth at the same time.

Oh and at www.snopes.com there's always a list of New Year's traditions. Some I find kinda neat... some a bit extreme.

Oh that same year that I went whole hog I lit 3 candles... red, green and white... love, money and... I forget.

Originally Posted by rosiemac

I'm thinking what have i got red and green, i've got no grapes or blackeyed peas so would peas be a substitute for the grapes and if i listened to Matts Blackeyed peas cd?!

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I guess you'll find out!

No never she always came North. I would like to do a true Hogmany though

Originally Posted by rosiemac

No never she always came North. I would like to do a true Hogmany though

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Hogmany?

Thats the scottish name for new year

Well, there's something else we learned! Happy Hogmany!

There you go!, now you speak Scottish!

I hate those greens, hate b eyed peas, so I flaunt tradition.
Mama said to NEVER wash clothes, It washes away your good luck.
Whatever you do on Jan 1, you will be doing all year, so I want to talk to Jeff, spend time with my best friend Shannon, call Patsy, play with my cats, and walk 5 miles, watch some good movies, and come here.

wow I have heard of none of these things - how strange.