Trip around the globe does not always have to make you go bankrupt
Celebrating the new year is different all across the globe, so why not share the rich diversity of the world with your children by telling the tales of rituals from these countries.
AUSTRIA - The suckling pig is the symbol for good luck for the new year. It’s served on a table decorated with tiny edible pigs in marzipan, maple sugar, fudge, cookie dough or chocolate. After the pig has been savored, dessert often consisting of green peppermint ice cream in the shape of a four-leaf clover is served.
ENGLAND ’ In Britain the custom of first footing is practiced. The British place their fortunes for the coming year in the hands of their first male guest. They believe the first visitor of each year should be male and bearing gifts such as coal for the fire, a loaf for the table and a drink for the master. For good luck, the guest should enter through the front door and leave through the back. Guests who are empty-handed are not allowed to enter first and the first person must not be blond, red-haired or a woman as these people supposedly bring bad luck.
WALES - At the first toll of midnight, the back door is opened and then shut to release the old year and lock out all of its bad luck. Then at the twelfth stroke of the clock, the front door is opened and the New Year is welcomed with all of its luck. In the villages, the boys go out at around 3 a.m. on New Year’s morning and would go from house to house using an evergreen twig to sprinkle over the people and then each room of their house. This was believed to bring good luck.
SICILY - An old Sicilian tradition says good luck will come to those who eat lasagna on New Year’s Day, but woe if you dine on macaroni, for any other noodle will bring bad luck.
SPAIN - In Spain, when the clock strikes midnight, the Spanish eat 12 grapes, one with every toll, to bring good luck for the 12 months ahead. Sometimes the grapes are washed down with wine. Theater productions and movies are interrupted to carry out this custom.
GREECE - A special New Year’s bread is baked with a coin buried in the dough. The first slice is for the Christ child, the second for the father of the household and the third slice is for the house. If the third slice holds the coin, spring will come early that year.
JAPAN ’ When the new year begins, the Japanese begin to laugh. This is suppose to bring them luck in the new year. They also decorate their homes in tribute to lucky gods. Paper lobsters are used as decorations in many Japanese houses at New Year. The reason is that the lobster’s curved back resembles an elderly person and every New Year’s greeting includes a wish for longevity.
UNITED STATES - The kiss shared at the stroke of midnight in the United States is derived from masked balls that have been common throughout history. As tradition has it, the masks symbolize evil spirits from the old year and the kiss is the purification into the new year. Times Square in New York City has a ball drop counting down to the new year and this is broadcasted all over the United States. At the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve people will kiss or honk car horns. Paper blowers and whistles are blown. A soul food of black-eyed peas and rice called Hoppin’ John is eaten by some. Other foods that are eaten at New Year are cake and champagne.
NORWAY - Norwegians make rice pudding at New Year’s and hide one whole almond within. Guaranteed wealth goes to the person whose serving holds the lucky almond.
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