New Year's traditions?

I thought it would be nice to learn about the traditions 'round the world for New Year's Day. I'm not talking about the partying of New Year's Eve partying. I'm talking about New Year's Day itself.

In the part of the Southern US where I live it's traditional to eat black eyed peas on New Year's. It's supposed to bring good luck in the coming year. In other parts of the South it's traditional to have red beans (kidney beans) and rice.

So, what is traditional on your part of the world?

My ex wife is from Colombia and they eat 12 grapes one for each month of the year. This is supposed to bring good luck in the new year. They also take a piece of luggage and run around the block. This is supposed to be a good year for travel. It's all kind of fun. I miss it.

Awww great thread!!!

In Scotland where I am (east coast) it is tradition to do The New Year Dook!!! Hundreds of people do it some people raise money for charities. I myself have never done it until tomorrow that is..... eeeeek!!!! Its gonna be fun but freezing!!!

Scottish tradition- Have a Steak Pie for your tea/dinner with the family and see in the bells with Auld Lang Syne!!

That's neat, Piraeus, and actually sounds like good exercise and healthy eating, too. Polar opposite of our southern US New Year tradition of typical big traditional meal and watching football, movies, consuming libations, etc. Still can be fun, but can get old, too. Thanks for sharing!

Blackeyed Peas & Turnip Greens.

They represent the money you'll make in the coming year.

Turnip Greens are dollars and blackeyed peas are pennies.

So eat lots of both ... !!!

It's a southern thang.



ps. As for the corn muffins slathered in honey, I don't know what they stand for but they sure are good.

Miss Laura, whats a "dook"?

i actually think i'm going to try the grapes thing.

it sounds fun!

Pfrog, how could I forget the greens??? Maybe because I don't eat 'em?

Yeah folks, either turnip or collard greens to go with the black eyes.

Thanks Piraeus. I wonder how those traditions came to be?

Do you think running around the outside of the house with a suitcase would work? It's probably 30 miles around my "block". I live in the boonies!

You said you miss the fun. Why not do it for yourself?

Hey there,

A 'Dook' is when we run into the river most people do it for charity. Some people jump off the pier others walk down the lifeboat ramp and walk into the water.

It's an old Fisherman's traditional it's back dated to the 1890's it's done every year in my city. Most east coast towns do it.... Unsure about the rest of Scotland.

I am raising money in aid of my MH charity Penumbra!

Mother always made sauerkraut, pork and dumplings every New Year's Eve . I think she made mashed potatoes too... She said it is good luck to eat sauerkraut New Year's eve..

It is the Pennsylvania Dutch (German) tradition to serve pork and sauerkraut as the first meal of the New Year to bring good luck for the year. This dish is usually accompanied by some yummy mashed potatoes and sometimes a little apple sauce to sweet the meal.

Every NYDay growing up Mom and Dad fixed Black Eyed Peas, Greens, Corn Bread, and Ham with Red Eye Gravy (that is using coffee to mix in the pan drippings of the Ham). I ate everything but the greens, never did like them. Of course I always choked down at least one fork full so my parents would be happy. Funny, now that I am older, I love those dang greens. But I no longer participate in the tradition because I just don't.
Happy New Year to you all!

It's just not the same with out her family. They also take shots of Auga Diente. The water of the devil. It's a liqueur that taste like anise.

We have a blended tradition. It is always with a main course of pork for our heritage. The custom of eating pork on New Year's is based on the idea that pigs symbolize progress. The animal pushes forward, rooting itself in the ground before moving; where thanks to its rich fat content, it signifies wealth and prosperity. The other dish is a black eyed pea dish, as mentioned above, that is a heritage symbol of good luck (Jewish traditional New Year for Rosh Hashanah) and adopted by the South around the time of the Civil War.