Thread: Traditions for News Year

I have always been told that what you do on New Years Day is what you will spend the whole year doing. I admit that I avoid doing laundry on that day or house cleaning but will cook!

I was told that when my grandparents were young, people used to toss out old chipped dishware and really worn out clothes on 1st January so they could have a clean start.

About the washing tradition, had never heard of that, but it may be a good cleansing ritual for recently divorced - instant ex wash out

Our food "tradition" for New Years day is to spend it snacking on leftovers from the New Year's Eve party we always host. Oh, and the no laundry thing. I don't see the point to it, but the dh insists it's bad luck.

Originally Posted by wilbe95

Okay I like the Tradition information that is being posted. I have lived in a few different places across the USA and have noticed that there are different meals served on New Years Day that signify something for the coming year.

One example is that the part of Ohio I was born in you eat Sauerkraut on New Years Day, if you do you will have money all year. Something I still do to this day . In Oklahoma it was Black Eye Peas-can't recall the reason behind it.

So my question is what traditional food do you serve for New Years Day and is there a reason behind it?

Cornbread- it is said, in the South, that eating cornbread will bring wealth as it represents Gold

Cooked Greens- collards, cabbage, sauerkraut etc- they represent Folded money, so your wallet will always be full

Pork- to move forward in the New Year, because pigs are incapable of turning their heads to look backwards, it's also a sign of prosperity, back in the day, having a pig meant you had some wealth

Black Eyed Peas- because they represent Coins/ copper money

Tomatoes- they represent good health

Sweets- are said to be symbolic of a sweet year full of luck

Spanish & Cuban Folks eat 12 Grapes when the clock strikes midnight- to represent the previous 12 months of the year as well as 12 Sweet months in the New Year

Ring Shaped Foods- again, good luck and it symbolizes "Coming full circle", the Dutch, in particular, believe that eating donuts on the new year is very good luck.

Noodles- if you're a buddhist, get out the noodles! They believe eating them at Midnight is some seriously Good Luck for the coming year!

In the Philippines, they prefer to have a full table of food on New Years at Midnight to guarantee an abundance of food in the New Year & they also collect 7 pieces of round fruit to signify money and sound financial status all year long. The full table at midnight is also traditional in Germany as well.

Italians tend to serve raisins, lentils, and oranges which are symbols of Good Luck, Riches and the Promise of Love.

That's all the ones I've heard about! I'd love to hear more . . .

Our family has never had any New Year traditions (other than recovery from New Years Eve ). The past few years DH has worked (triple time), so it seems like any other day around here. Maybe next year we will start a tradition. Thinking about it, we have no traditions around here, maybe time to start some.