So what are you doing New Year’s Eve? Going out to a party somewhere or staying home like us? This year, we had family around and roasted hot dogs and smores over the fire. We also had to tend to chickens, goats, pigs,ducks, geese dogs, and cats as usual. The farm doesn’t stop just because it’s a holiday. We have 2 Nigerian Dwarf mamas with babies on the way. Penny and Shirley are both due any minute! We also had 2 of the dogs injured, so that’s been taking up a lot of time tending to them. We celebrated a late Christmas also. So it’s been a busy few days!
I do love holidays and traditions, though, and New Years is full of fun activities and traditions.
Some of the traditions that we take for granted actually came from ancient times. So, while you are celebrating this year, you might want to take a look at where your traditions come from or add a new one or two. (Source: The Farmers Almanac)
Get loud and noisy!
In ancient Thailand, they fired guns to frighten off demons.
In China, people used firecrackers to ward off the forces of darkness.
In the American colonies, gun shots were heard throughout the night.
Shooting shotguns is still done in many Southern rural areas today. We did this as kids at my Grandma’s. Please be mindful of your neighbors if you do this, though. And make sure you aim away from others’ property!
In Italy, church bells ring, and the people of Switzerland beat drums; sirens and party horns blast loudly to ring in the new year in North America.
Eat,and be merry!
In the United States, down South, we eat black-eyed peas and pork for good luck.
Mustard, turnip, or collard greens are also eaten for wealth, although it hasn’t helped me yet!
Another treat for good fortune is anything in the shape of a ring or circle, such as a doughnut. This symbolizes the year coming to full circle.
The Dutch serve fritters called olie bollen.
The Irish eat bannocks or pastries.
In Spain, 12 grapes are eaten at midnight.
In India and Pakistan, eating rice is believed to bring a person prosperity.
Honey dipped apples are a Rosh Hashanah tradition among Jewish people.
In homes in Switzerland,spoonfuls of whipped cream are dropped on the floor and stay there, symbolizing the richness of the coming year! This is not happening at my house. The dogs eat everything that hits the floor!
Pop the champagne cork!
A lot of countries celebrate midnight by popping the cork on the champagne, but a few do things just a little differently.
In England, Wassail, which is Gaelic for “good health” is served.
The Scottish serve “hot pot” which is a spiced version of Wassail.
It’s the custom to drink a glass or two at home before you share with your neighbors!
I like that idea!
In Holland, toasts are given with hot, spiced wine. Right now, in South Georgia, it’s cool again, so that sounds like a good idea!
Give Gifts.
More presents? I think I could live with that!
In Rome, it’s gifts of gilded nuts or coins.
The Persians exchanged eggs, the symbol of fertility. Hmm, maybe those of us who still have hens laying in the cold weather can share farm fresh eggs!
In early Egypt, flasks made of earthenware were exchanged.
In Scotland, to bring a person good luck, coal, shortbread, and silverware are given. Personally, I think a gift of poultry, puppies, or goats would be nice. We got our LGD’s for our Christmas presents in 2018. In 2020, we got our little Nigerian Dwarf buckling right after Christmas. We added another buckling about 2 years ago. We added Mosely to our family in July of 2020. Hmm….I wonder what’s in store for us in ’24?
Reflect on your life and the New Year ahead.
A new year on the rise is a prime opportunity to take a look at life.
Making a New Year’s resolution is a way to reflect on the past year and plan on the future. This practice may have begun as early as 2600 B.C.
During the observance of Rosh Hashanah Jews have a time for personal introspection and prayer, as well as visiting graves of loved ones. This sounds like a good practice for us all.
Since 1770, Christian churches have held a Watch-night service, a custom that began in Philadelphia at Old St. Georges Methodist Church.
Other beliefs and customs.
Some beliefs and customs are just sayings or proverbs passed down from family to family, region to region, country to country.
Here are a couple of my favorites!
~On New Year’s Eve, kiss the person you hope to keep kissing. – This one Farmer Cheese and I practice every year at midnight if we can stay awake that long!
~If the old year goes out like a lion, the new year will come in like a lamb. Hmm…If it goes out hot, does it come in cold? 2023 has been crazy all year long and is going out just the same. Does this mean there is hope for 2024?
~Begin the new year square with every man. (i.e., pay your debts!)
~And finally my personal favorite: Whatever you do New Year’s Day, you will be doing all year-long! With that said, you better make it a good day. No laundry or house cleaning. 😉 Doing laundry is said to wash a loved one away, so definitely don’t do that! I’ll be cleaning tomorrow because of all our holiday celebrations the last few days. I guess I’ll be cleaning all year.
In 2021 a lot of people started a new tradition of staying home in their jammies. This isn’t new to us. We stay home every year.
Whatever you do this New Year’s Eve, we wish you a great and safe evening and a wonderful 2024!
Cheese Acres Farm 