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Customs
and Traditions Around the World
by W.Holidays
Korea
Girls put three carnations in their hair. If the top flower dies first,
the girls' later years of life will be arduous. If the middle flower
dies first, her earlier years will bring her the most grief. If the
bottom flower dies first, the girl will be miserable her entire life.
Philippines
Vada - Philippines families get together, usually at someone's home and
eat a midnight dinner. They also set off fireworks as a sign of
happiness for the New Year. Children jump ten times when the clock
strikes twelve to 'grow taller'.
Poland
Justyna, Poland - People stay up until midnight when then they drink
champagne and wish each other well. Then people go outside and watch
the fireworks. The rest of the evening is spent sitting and talking and
the kids play games, listen to the music, and dancing.
Romania
It is believed farm animals talk on New Year's Day. However, if one
hears them talk, it is considered bad luck.
Russia
Grandfather Frost and Snow Girl shake jingle bells on New Year's Day,
when toys and cakes are given to children.
Scotland
The New Year is referred to as Hogmanay, “Moon of the Hag”.
Cakes and pastries are favored. Black buns and Scottish fruitcakes are
baked weeks in advance and enjoyed on New Years Eve. They are served
with haggis, het pint, and shortbread. In some areas of Scotland large
barrels of tar are set on fire to "burn out the old year". The
"first-footer" or the first person to set foot in the house will
determine the luck of the New Year. The well-known poem-song "Auld Lang
Syne, was written by a Scottish poet, Robert Burns, over 200 years ago.
Spain
"If you eat grapes on New Year's Day, you will have money the whole
year." The Spanish each 12 grapes, one for each month of the New Year
at the stoke of midnight.
Thailand
In Thailand on New Year day's morning people get up earlier and go to
Buddha's temple and offer food and do activities. Then they
visit
their parents and have a party in evening or at night. Nowadays, people
prefer to travel on this long weekend.
Vietnam
Tet, Vietnamese New Year, is celebrated in January or February. Prior
to Tet homes are cleaned and painted. Hoa Mai blossoms decorate the
home. New clothes are purchased and old debts are paid.
Wales
Children go door to door singing and wishing people a Happy New Year.
They receive mincemeat pies, fruit, and coins in return. In
Pembrokeshire special buns are given to each child.
Jewish Community
Rosh Hashanah begins the Jewish New Year, which occurs in September or
October. There are 10 Days of Penitence that ends with Yom Kippur. Yom
Kippur is the holiest day of the year. People ask God for
forgiveness for the promises they did not keep.
United
States
People gather on New Years Eve and wait for
the stoke of midnight, when bells ring, noisemakers whirl, and people
shout, "Happy New Year". People kiss, toast the New Year with champagne
or sparking apple juice, and sing "Auld Lang Syne". Most everyone makes
a New Year resolution. The idea of a New Year resolution is believed to
have started in Babylon. It is the promise to do something to better
oneself or to get something accomplished.
Pasadena, California
Early New Years Day the Tournament of Roses
Parade begins. Large elaborate floats covered with flowers, nuts, and
seeds are marveled at by spectators. The parade began in 1886 when
carriages were decorated simply with flowers. The Rose Bowl, a football
game, traditionally follows the parade.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
People dress in intricate costumes, then parade and dance down the main
streets in the Mummers' Parade, a tradition since 1901.
New York City, New York
Thousands crowd into Times Square to watch the "ball drop". A large
ball covered with lights drops from the top of a skyscraper precisely
at midnight on New Years Eve.
Newport News, Virginia
J. Hicks,
Newport News,
Virginia - During the 1940s, 50s, and 60s, older people, particularly
women, did not want a woman or a girl to visit their homes on New Years
Day. If a female came to their homes, they considered it a great insult
because it would bring bad luck for the whole year. A man or
a
boy could visit their homes and they believed their visits would bring
them good luck or success for the entire new year.
Southern U.S.
The black-eyes peas known as Hoppin John are
eaten
to bring prosperity in the New Year. Geneva Dole from Alabama reports
that clothes are not washed on New Years Day, if you do you’ll
was a loved one away.
Aloner Fontenot Nicks, Ville Platte, LA - Since I was a child, a
fictitious lady by the name of Toulouse would come during the night as
we slept and leave an article of clothing, fruits, candy, and
gum. I believe she was to be a modern day Mrs. Santa
Claus.
Some in this area also call her Madame Grand Doigt. I am of
French heritage. Being born and reared in Southern Louisiana
could explain this tradition.
Aloner Fontenot Nicks, Ville Platte, LA - On New Year's Day, families
get together and have a wonderful dinner. This dinner must
consist of pork (for health), green cabbage (for wealth), black-eye
peas (for luck) and fruit salad for prosperity. Resolutions
are
discussed, but I can't ever remember being TOLD to have one.
Virginia
Ninna,
Virginia - Christmas
is celebrated by doing a dance called El Gid. We spin in circles with
many people.
Cynn,
Virginia - The
first visitor always had to be male. I don't know why but women were
not allowed in as guests until a male has visited the house on New
Years Day. My Father got up very early and went to knock on
the
doors of all the homes on our road to be the first visitor.
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modified
April 6, 2008
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