New Year traditions

Off the Editor’s Spike by Darryl Wilkinson

I’m not much for making New Year’s resolutions. Oh, I think setting goals is a good idea, and what better time than at the start of a new year? But, if history repeats itself, I’m sure I’ll find that the best way for me to keep my list of resolutions is to have a copy locked up in the desk drawer.

Many New Year traditions don’t appeal to me. Being in the mob at Times Square during the countdown is not my idea of having fun. Historically, the occult world of omens and charms has always been connected with this holiday. But reading about holiday traditions elsewhere has always interested me.

One widespread custom still carried out in many countries around the world is “first-footing,” the superstitious belief that the character of the first visitor on New Year’s Day affects the welfare of the household.

In our world before female enlightenment, it was thought to be important that a male enter the house or place of business first in order to bring good luck. During Victorian ages young lads hired to sweep the chimney, sweethearts of female servants, and “luckybird” bachelors were expected to bring a present of coals or food or drink and to arrive as early as possible on New Year’s morning.

In Scotland poor children once marched in a procession called Hogmanay. Wrapped in a great sheet with a big pocket in the front, the children would walk along the streets calling “Hogmanay” in hopes that the richer folks would give them some oaten bread.

In France the holiday mirrors our Christmas. Presents are exchanged and children empty their gift-laden stockings. On January 1 the family gathers for a great dinner.

“Sylvesterabend,” the eve of the new year, brings dances and parties for the Germans. One popular ceremony at German New Year’s Eve parties is “bleigiessen.” Spoons with prepared pieces of lead are held over candles; each guest takes his spoonful and quickly tosses it into a basin of water. Easily discerned shapes that form in the water are supposed to foretell events for the coming year.

After dark on New Year’s Eve, Roumanian boys and men go from house to house ringing bells, cracking whips and greeting everyone warmly. On the following morning, handfuls of corn are thrown from the young to the old or from the poor to the rich; wishes of longevity and prosperity are offered in hopes that a present will be granted.

In Macedonia, the future is foretold on St. Basil’s Eve. A pair of olive leaves representing a young man and women are placed on hot cinders. If the leaves crumple up together, the young people will love each other, but if they separate, the reverse will occur. If the leaves are highly combustible, excessive passion is present.

Another surviving custom is carried out in Lithuania. Hidden under nine plates are these symbolic items baked of dough — cradle, old man, old woman, death’s head, bread, money, ring, key and ladder. Everyone has three chances to pick his lot for the following year from among the nine hidden items.

I’m sure there are countless other traditions, some even more interesting than these that you may know. Wouldn’t it be interesting to tally up a list of New Year traditions from local families, just to see how creative we can be? If my household is any indication, I know a question — asked about this time every year without fail with no apparent answer — that has to top the tradition list:

“What are we doing for New Year’s Eve?”